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Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians in AL wild card for MLB playoffs

On “Days of Roar,” Evan Petzold and Chris Brown discuss the Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians in the AL wild-card series, plus Riley Greene.

It’s win-or-go-home for the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers had every chance imaginable to try and put away the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2, but squandered it time and time again before an offensive explosion by the Guardians in the eighth inning.

The Tigers are now tied with the Cleveland Guardians, 1-1, in a best-of-three wild-card series after two games, and will play in a series-deciding Game 3 on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcasted on ABC after the Cincinnati Reds were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Wednesday’s late game.

The Tigers took a 1-0 series lead in a 2-1 Game 1 win on a 14-strikeout performance from ace Tarik Skubal. However, All-Star righty Casey Mize couldn’t help deliver a win in Game 2, with Game 3 serving as the clincher for one of these teams.

The Guardians went 5-1 against the Tigers in September as they overcame an 11-game deficit on Sept. 4 to take the American League Central division title away from Detroit on the final day of the regular season. That earned them home-field advantage in the wild-card series, which could prove crucial in Game 3.

The Tigers will be pitching veteran Jack Flaherty in Game 3, with the Guardians leaning on starter Slade Cecconi. Here’s what else you need to know for Game 3.

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What time is Tigers Game 3 vs Guardians?

The Tigers and the Guardians will play in a win-or-go-home Game 3 in their wild-card series on Thursday.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 2.

Time: 3:08 p.m. ET.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

MORE: Colt Keith injury update: ‘Step forward’ keeps ALDS return in play for Detroit Tigers

What channel is Tigers Game 3 vs Guardians?

Like for Games 1 and 2, the series-deciding Game 3 between the Tigers and the Guardians will air on ABC, with first pitch scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET.

First pitch: 3:08 p.m. ET.

Channel: ABC.

Streaming: Fubo.

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1).

Watch MLB playoffs on Fubo

Tigers vs Guardians playoff schedule 2025Game 1: Tigers 2, Guardians 1.Game 2: Guardians 6, Tigers 1.Game 3, Thursday, Oct. 2: Tigers at Guardians, 1:08/3:08 p.m., ESPN.MLB wild-card series schedule 2025Thursday’s game schedule

AL: Tigers at Guardians, 3:08 p.m. ET (ABC).

NL: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs, 5:08 p.m. ET (ESPN).

AL: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees, 8:08 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Tigers vs Guardians playoff history

The Tigers and Guardians did not meet in the MLB playoffs in the first 123 years of their shared history as charter members of the American League.

The clubs will now meet for the second consecutive season in the playoffs.

Here are the results from the Tigers-Guardians playoff series in the 2024 ALDS:

Game 1, Oct. 5: Guardians, 7, Tigers 0 in Cleveland.Game 2, Oct. 7: Tigers 3, Guardians 0 in Cleveland.Game 3, Oct. 9: Tigers 3, Guardians 0 in Detroit.Game 4, Oct. 10: Guardians 5, Tigers 4 in Detroit.Game 5, Oct. 12: Guardians 7, Tigers 3 in Cleveland.

You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.