Detroit Tigers vs Guardians in Game 2 of MLB playoffs wild-card series
Evan Petzold and Jeff Seidel break down the Detroit Tigers’ 6-1 loss vs Guardians in Game 2 of the AL wild-card series on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
The Detroit Tigers have one last chance to exorcise their late-season demons against the Cleveland Guardians.
With a win, they’ll knock out the Guardians and move on to the ALDS. But a loss would end a once-promising season with a loud and disappointing finish.
The Tigers are facing the Guardians in Game 3 of their wild-card series on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. First pitch is scheduled at 3:08 p.m. ET, and the broadcast moves from ESPN to ABC.
Starting Game 3 for the Tigers today will be playoff veteran Jack Flaherty, who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 World Series after a midseason trade from the Tigers. Meanwhile, the Guardians will start right-hander Slade Cecconi, who went 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA over 132 innings pitched during the 2025 regular season.
The Tigers had a chance to clinch a series sweep on Wednesday, Oct. 1, but fell in a 6-1 loss to the Guardians after a late-inning bullpen collapse and an inept showing from an offense that left a postseason franchise-record 15 men on base. The loss tied the series at 1-1, making this a win-or-go-home game for both teams.
We’ll have live updates and analysis from Game 3 right here.
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Tigers Game 3 live updates vs Guardians
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch made an unusual move in the seventh inning of his team’s Game 2 loss on Wednesday: pinch-hitting for lefty slugger Riley Greene with one out and runners on the corners and left-handed ptcher Tim Herrin on the mound.
It ended up not working out, with pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones striking out to end the inning. But it’s a decision Greene said he had full trust in, calling Jones a “lefty killer.”
As for Hinch’s decision to go with Troy Melton in the eighth inning, that one backfired even more, with Melton giving up the go-ahead home run to Brayan Rocchio to start a five-run inning for the Guardians.
What time is Tigers vs Guardians Game 3 today?
The Tigers will continue their best-of-three wild-card series against the Guardians on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET.
Date:Â Thursday, Oct. 2.
Time:Â 3:08 p.m. ET.
Location:Â Progressive Field, Cleveland.
What channel is Tigers vs Guardians game today?
Game 3 of the Tigers-Guardians wild-card series will air on ABC in the early slot of the day’s playoff action.
First pitch:Â 3:08 p.m. ET.
Channel:Â ABC.
Streaming:Â Fubo.
Radio:Â WXYT-FM, 97.1.
Wednesday’s game can also be streamed on Fubo, which carries ABC and the ESPN platform of channels.
Tigers vs Guardians playoff series 2025Tigers vs Guardians betting odds for Game 2
Cleveland is a small favorite in Game 3.
Over/under: 7½ runs.
Moneyline:Â Tigers (+105), Guardians (-125).
All odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday evening.
MLB wild-card series schedule 2025Thursday’s game schedule
AL:Â Tigers at Guardians, 3:08 p.m. ET (ABC).
NL:Â San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs, 5:08 p.m. ET (ESPN).
AL:Â 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:Â Guardians, 7, Tigers 0Â in Cleveland.Game 2, Oct. 7:Â Tigers 3, Guardians 0Â in Cleveland.Game 3, Oct. 9:Â Tigers 3, Guardians 0Â in Detroit.Game 4, Oct. 10:Â Guardians 5, Tigers 4Â in Detroit.Game 5, Oct. 12:Â Guardians 7, Tigers 3Â in Cleveland.
You can reach Christian Romo at cromo@freepress.com.