Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, October 5, 2024 ~ The Detroit Tigers could not manage to get a run on the board in the first game of the American League Division Series on the road against the Cleveland Guardians in a 7-0 loss Saturday afternoon.
The Guardians put five runs up before the Tigers could get the first out of the game. Reliever Tyler Holton allowed the first two scores and left two on base for Reese Olson, but the usual starter gave up a three-run home run to outfielder Lane Thomas to blow the game open early.
Olson, Ty Madden, and Keider Montero did a solid job the rest of the way, only allowing two runs, but the offense did not help the cause. The Detroit lineup could only muster four hits for the day.
Manager A.J. Hinch has relied on “pitching chaos” to get the team through to this point, but presumed AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has been named as the starter for Game Two.
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Getting us started in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/L3dMNifToT
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 5, 2024
(CONTINUED) After a very effective Wild Card series from the bullpen, the Guardians familiarity with the crew, being division rivals, helped derail the surprise factor that has created so much momentum in the past couple of weeks.
Skubal will offer some stability for a pitching staff and team that needs a victory to even the series before heading home to Comerica Park later next week for Game Three.
Former Detroit starter Matthew Boyd will be on the mound for the Guardians in two days. The Tigers offense will look to pounce on the right handed matchup early to avoid a close contest and the strong side of Cleveland’s top ranked bullpen.
First pitch for Game Two is set for 4 p.m. in Cleveland on Monday.
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