October 2, 2025

Historic MLB Showdown: Guardians vs. Tigers in Game 5

News Summary

In a historic event for Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers face off in a winner-take-all Game 5, alongside two other elimination games. The Guardians secured their spot with a thrilling victory in Game 4, ending an 11-game postseason losing streak. As tensions rise, both teams prepare for an electrifying climax to the series, vying for a chance to advance to the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.

Cleveland – In a historic moment for Major League Baseball, Thursday will witness the first occurrence of three winner-take-all elimination games simultaneously. The Cleveland Guardians will square off against the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of their American League Division Series, which highlights this unprecedented event.

The Guardians’ Game 3 against the Tigers was originally slated for a 1:08 p.m. start but has been rescheduled to 3:08 p.m. at Progressive Field. This change was implemented following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ elimination of the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of their National League wild card series, setting the stage for this landmark day in MLB history.

In a thrilling showdown, the Guardians edged the Tigers with a 5-4 victory in Game 4. The win was propelled by a pivotal two-run homer hit by David Fry in the seventh inning. Additionally, Fry secured an insurance run in the ninth inning with a successful bunt, allowing the Guardians to force a decisive Game 5. This victory was particularly significant as it ended the Guardians’ frustrating 11-game losing streak in postseason elimination games, a streak that extended back to Game 6 of the 1997 World Series.

Emmanuel Clase played a crucial role in the Guardians’ win, recording a multi-inning save, marking his third such save of the year. With the series tied at two games apiece, the pressure is now on both teams as they vie for a spot in the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, set to begin on Monday.

Detroit’s manager A.J. Hinch expressed confidence in his starting pitcher for Game 5, Tarik Skubal, who is considered a strong contender for the American League Cy Young Award. In the run-up to the decisive match, Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers’ first baseman, emphasized the need for the team to maintain a winning mindset as they approach this critical game.

David Fry also noted the Guardians’ determination, highlighting the team’s resilience even when facing adversities in games. The Guardians have demonstrated the ability to rally and are set to come ready to play in Game 5. Earlier in the series, the Tigers had managed to overcome a 2-1 deficit, aided by a fifth-inning homer from Zach McKinstry and a run-scoring single from Wenceel Pérez in the sixth inning.

The atmosphere in Comerica Park remains electric, as the series has drawn record attendance with 44,923 fans present for consecutive days of playoff baseball. The excitement reflects the intensity of the competition as both teams fight for survival and the chance to advance.

Fry’s homer is noteworthy as it makes him the fourth player in MLB postseason history to hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit home run when facing elimination. The Guardians also ended a 20-inning scoreless drought with an RBI single from Lane Thomas in the first inning of Game 4. Tyler Holton, pitching for the Tigers, allowed a pivotal fifth-inning homer to José Ramírez, who ended a personal 0-for-10 hitting streak with that significant hit.

Injuries have also been a concern for the Tigers, with Kerry Carpenter suffering a left hamstring injury, leading to a pinch-hit in the seventh inning during the critical moments of Game 4. Looking ahead, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt indicated a decision regarding the starting pitcher for Game 5, likely favoring Matthew Boyd, would be made on Friday.

The stage is set for an exciting climax to this division series as both teams prepare for what promises to be a thrilling Game 5 showdown in Cleveland.

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Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER

CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton

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