Will Detroit Tigers run away with AL Central?
The Days of Roar podcast breaks down the competition the Detroit Tigers face in the AL Central. Can the Tigers maintain first place in the division?
The Detroit Tigers dropped their first game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, May 19, but followed with two wins in a come-from-behind series victory to close out their most recent road trip.
Now they return home for a four-game series in what might be the team’s most important matchup of the season so far: a rematch with the Cleveland Guardians, who eliminated the Tigers in five games in the 2024 American League Division Series.
At 33-17, the Tigers hold MLB’s best record and currently have a six-game lead over the fourth-place Guardians. Cleveland comfortably won the AL Central in 2024, finishing 6½ games ahead of both the Tigers and Kansas City Royals, but hasn’t yet found the same level of success in 2025.
However, the first series matchup between the two division rivals could dramatically swing the AL Central race. With a four-game sweep, the Tigers could create a 10-game lead over the Guardians before the end of May, but a sweep in the other direction would bring the Guardians within two games.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming series:
Matchup: Tigers (33-17) vs Guardians (26-22).
First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.
Where: Comerica Park.
TV channel: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.
Streaming: FanDuel TV+, Fubo (free trial) and on Prime Video.
Watch FanDuel Sports Network Detroit on Fubo
The Tigers begin a four-game series against the Guardians, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. There is a slight chance of rain around gametime.
Tigers vs Guardians series pitching matchup
Game 1 (Thursday): Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty vs Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee, 6:40 p.m., FSND.
Game 2 (Friday): Tigers RHP Jackson Jobe vs Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi, 7:10 p.m., FSND.
Game 3 (Saturday): Tigers TBD vs Guardians RHP Luis Ortiz, 7:15 p.m., Fox.
Game 4 (Sunday): Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal vs Guardians LHP Logan Allen, 11:35 a.m., Roku.
With both Casey Mize and Reese Olson still on the injured list, the Tigers have yet to announce a starter for Saturday’s game. Right-hander Keider Montero, who last pitched on Monday, could take the bulk inning assignment once again on normal rest on Saturday.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.