The Cleveland Guardians look to keep their miracle run alive in Game 2 of their 2025 AL Wild Card series with the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field this afternoon.

Cleveland dropped Tuesday’s opener in a low-scoring battle, featuring a pitchers’ duel between Tarik Skubal and Gavin Williams.

Detroit struck first when Spencer Torkelson singled in Kerry Carpenter in the top of the first. Carpenter led off the game with a single to right field and advanced to second on an error by Johnathan Rodríguez, which would prove to be costly.

But Cleveland tied it in the bottom of the 4th, thanks to a gutsy play by Angel Martinez, who slid headfirst into home on a Gabriel Arias chopper. Originally ruled out, the Guardians were awarded the run after a successful challenge.

A sacrifice bunt from Zach McKinstry brought in Riley Greene in the seventh, putting Detroit ahead 2–1 for good.

With both starters dealing, the game came down to defensive miscues and small-ball tactics. Skubal turned in a career-best performance with 14 strikeouts across 7.2 innings, allowing just one run. Williams was also dominant, striking out six over six innings without yielding an earned run.

Now facing elimination, Cleveland has called up top prospect Chase DeLauter from Triple-A. The outfielder will make his MLB debut in a win-or-go-home scenario.

On the mound, Tanner Bibee starts for the Guardians. He finished the season 12–11 with a 4.24 ERA, but he was excellent down the stretch, allowing just two runs over his last three starts. That run included a complete-game shutout against the Chicago White Sox and two strong outings against Detroit in which he gave up only one run in six innings each time.

Casey Mize takes the mound for Detroit in Game 2. He went 14–6 with a 3.87 ERA this season. But he struggled in September, posting a 4.58 ERA over his final seven starts, and was shaky against Cleveland last month, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings.

Prediction

This matchup tilts toward the Guardians. Mize is no Skubal, and Bibee’s late-season form, including against Detroit, gives Cleveland a chance to even the series. Expect the Guardians’ offense to scratch together timely hits, as they’ve done this fall, and push this series to a deciding Game 3.

Prediction: Guardians 4, Tigers 2

Starting Lineups

Detroit Tigers

1. Parker Meadows — CF

2. Gleyber Torres — 2B

3. Kerry Carpenter — DH

4. Spencer Torkelson — 1B

5. Riley Greene — LF

6. Wenceel Pérez — RF

7. Dillon Dingler — C

8. Zack McKinstry — 3B

9. Javier Baez — SS

Starting Pitcher: Casey Mize (RHP) — 14-6, 3.87 ERA (2025 Regular Season)

Cleveland Guardians

1. Steven Kwan — LF

2. George Valera — RF

3. José Ramírez — 3B

4. Kyle Manzardo — DH

5. Bo Naylor — C

6. Gabriel Arias — SS

7. Chase DeLauter — CF

8. C.J. Kayfus — 1B

9. Brayan Rocchio — 2B

Starting Pitcher: Tanner Bibee (RHP) — 12-11, 4.24 ERA (2025 Regular Season)

How to Watch Tigers vs. Guardians

First pitch for this afternoon’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians is set for 1:08 PM Eastern at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

The game airs live on ESPN and streams on the ESPN app and website.

If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch the game for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.

YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the game.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians

Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

First Pitch: 1:08 PM Eastern

Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

TV: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN app and website