The first of three win-or-go-home Game 3s in MLB’s wild-card round pitted two American League Central division foes against each other one last time in 2025.
Thursday’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field was the ninth time the rivals faced off in 17 days. The Guardians had won five of the last six regular-season matchups to boost them to their second consecutive division title.
The Tigers took Game 1 of this AL Wild Card Series behind a dominant performance from starter Tarik Skubal, and the Guardians got even in Game 2 behind a tiebreaking five-run eighth inning that included home runs by Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor.
Game 3 was a pitching showdown for the first half of the game. It wasn’t until a sixth-inning homer from Dillon Dingler that the Tigers started to get the bats out. Dingler’s dinger gave Detroit the momentum they needed for a four-run seventh inning that really broke the game wide open.
Although Cleveland would pick up two runs in the eighth, the five-run deficit was far too much for them to overcome. The Detroit Tigers have advanced to the ALDS for the second consecutive year. They’ll face the Seattle Mariners, with Game 1 of that series set for Saturday, October 4.
Here are the highlights from Game 3.
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FINAL: Tigers 6, Guardians 3
Although the Guardians went down in order in the ninth, it was not an easy inning for Detroit. Each play was a tough ground ball that required excellent plays from Javier Baez, Will Vest, and Spencer Torkelson.
Regardless, the Guardians didn’t do much to threaten victory. Detroit wins, 6-3. They’ll face the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4.
Guardians make a push in the eighth
After a one-out single from Bryan Rocchio, Steven Kwan would find the right field corner for Cleveland’s second extra base hit of the game, putting runners on second and third with just one out.
George Valera, who had scored Cleveland’s only run of the game to this point, came to bat against Will Vest, who was brought in to replace Tommy Kahnle. Valera struck out on five pitches.
Jose Ramirez was next. He’d hit a lazy ground ball to first base, but while trying to cover the base, Vest bobbled the throw, allowing two runs to score and nearly pushing Ramirez to second base. He was thrown out.
It’s 6-3, Detroit. Perhaps Cleveland has a little bit of magic left in them after all.
Guardians cannot answer back
Facing a daunting five-run deficit, the Guardians needed a big inning to give themselves a fighting chance. They got one hit, a two-out single.
The Tigers are just six outs away from moving on. They lead 6-1.
Torkelson RBI, Greene RBI 6-1 Tigers
As if the two-RBI single wasn’t enough, Spencer Torkelson drilled a single to left field, driving in Carpenter.
Riley Greene pulled the very next pitch into right field for a single of his own. Detroit’s lead has exploded this inning, from one run to five.
Matt Festa has come in for the Guardians.
Javier Baez, Parker Meadows score, 4-1 Detroit
Javier Baez has been red hot this series. He now has a hit in all three games. This was his biggest one yet, leading off the top of the seventh with a double.
That was followed up with a sac bunt by Parker Meadows. However, as fate would have it, no sacrifice was necessary. Meadows beat the throw, putting runners at the corners with no outs and the top of the Tigers’ lineup is due up next.
That was all Cleveland manager had to see. He brought in Hunter Gaddis, who pitched in Games 1 and 2 as well.
Gaddis would prevent the run initially, fielding a comebacker and freezing Baez at third. But that allowed Meadows to advance to second, prompting the Guardians to intentionally walk Kerry Carpenter to bring up Wenceel Perez, who had already hit into a double play in this game.
Perez would not make the same mistake, launching the second pitch he saw into right field, driving in both Baez and Meadows and moving Carpenter to third. It’s now 4-1 Tigers.
Finnegan works 1-2-3 6th
After coming in in the fifth to get the final out, Finnegan picked up right where he left off, setting the top of the Cleveland lineup down in order in the sixth.
While Jose Ramirez gave Finnegan a ride, flying out to deep left field, the ball fell just short of the warning track and into Riley Greene’s glove.
It stays 2-1 heading into the seventh.
Dillon Dingler dinger
With very few hits and even fewer runs on the day, Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler came up big in the top of the sixth, hitting a home run off Joey Cantillo to right center field, making it a 2-1 game.
The homer was Dingler’s first hit of the series.
Cantillo gets out of fifth with double play
Just like the end of the fourth inning, a one-out walk in the top of the fifth was followed up with a high chopper straight to second base from Wenceel Perez. Cleveland shortstop Bryan Rocchio only needed to step on the base and toss to first to end the inning.
It is still tied 1-1.
Flaherty avoids any more damage
After Ramirez’s RBI single, Flaherty’s job was made much easier when catcher Dillon Dingler threw Ramirez out as he tried to swipe second base. Although Flaherty would walk Kyle Manzardo next, Chase DeLauter would bounce a high ground ball straight to second base, allowing the Tigers to pull off an easy double play.
We head to the fifth. Game is tied, 1-1.
Ramirez ties game with single
Who else but Jose Ramirez?
After a double from George Valera to leadoff the bottom of the fourth inning, Jose Ramirez came up clutch for the Guardians as he’s done so many times before, smashing a single back up the middle and driving Valera home.
The game is tied and Ramirez stands on first base with no one out. The Tigers bullpen is up and moving.
Cantillo escapes jam in fourth
After a strikeout to lead off the inning, Guardians’ pitcher Joey Cantillo found some trouble allowing both Dillon Dingler and Zach McKinstry to reach base.
Cantillo would bounce back though, sending Javier Baez down on strikes to face Parker Meadows with two outs. Meadows would fly out to Kwan in left.
The score remains 1-0 Detroit.
Flaherty rolls through the third
Playing with a lead now, Flaherty felt no pressure in the third inning, setting down the Guardians in order.
We go to the fourth inning. Detroit leads, 1-0.
Herrin escapes jam
With two men in scoring position and only one out, Herrin forced Wenceel Perez to pop out back to the mound. He then battled back from a 2-0 count against Spencer Torkelson to strike him out. The Tigers leave two men on base, but lead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third.
Cecconi out, Tigers take a 1-0 lead
After two solid innings, Slade Cecconi hit a road bump surrendering back-to-back hits to Parker Meadows and Gleyber Torres, putting runners on the corners with only one out.
Though the Tigers were only 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position this series, Vogt opted to go to the bullpen, bringing in the southpaw Tim Herrin to face Kerry Carpenter, who is notoriously weak against lefties.
Shockingly though, Carpenter would get a hit on a sharp ground ball to C.J. Kayfus at first. The ball would ricochet off Kayfus into foul ground allowing both Carpenter and Torres to reach scoring position.
DeLauter singles, Guardians fail to score
The Guardians picked up the first hit of the game with Chase DeLauter smacking a one-out single to right field. He’d stop there, however, as Jack Flaherty made quick work of the rest of Cleveland’s lineup. Only Bo Naylor gave Flaherty trouble, forcing an eight-pitch at-bat that ended up with him popping out to second base.
Heading to the third, this game remains scoreless.
Cecconi gets through second with just eight pitches
Any Cleveland fans worried about Cecconi’s pitch count after the first can breathe a little easier. The third-year pro got through the 5-6-7 hitters in the Tigers’ lineup in just eight pitches, putting him at 34 for the game. We remain scoreless heading into the bottom of the second.
Flaherty answers back with quick first
If Cecconi’s first inning went as well as it could have, Jack Flaherty matched his Cleveland counterpart, going three-up, three-down and ending the inning by punching out Jose Ramirez. We head to the second inning, still tied at 0.
Cecconi gets two strikeouts
The first inning went about as well as it could have for Slade Cecconi. He struck out two Tigers including an inning ending punchout to Tigers’ cleanup man Spencer Torkelson.
While Cecconi did walk one batter, he looked composed, which is reportedly why Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt wanted him for this do-or-die Game 3.
The only other downside was that Cecconi needed 26 pitches to get through the inning. At this rate, he may not last even four innings.
What time is Tigers vs. Guardians Game 3?
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025
- Start time: 3:08 p.m. ET
Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Tigers and Guardians will start at 3:08 p.m. ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland.
What channel is Tigers vs. Guardians Game 3?
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo
MLB postseason bracket
American League
- No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the AL Division Series.
- No. 2 Seattle Mariners: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in AL Division Series.
- No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
- No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees
National League
- No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, including World Series. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the NL Division Series.
- No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in NL Division Series.
- No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers — Dodgers win series 2-0
- No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs
Tigers vs Guardians predictions
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports MLB writers and editors see Game 3 of the Tigers-Guardians wild-card series shaking out:
- Bob Nightengale: Guardians 4, Tigers 2
- Gabe Lacques: Tigers 4, Guardians 2
- Jesse Yomtov: Guardians 5, Tigers 3
Tigers pitcher today
Right-hander Jack Flaherty is no stranger to pitching with the spotlight the brightest. Flaherty appeared in five games during the Dodgers’ World Series run last year, including two starts in the World Series against the Yankees. Flaherty had a disappointing 2025 regular season, going 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA. He did finish strong, posting a 3.86 ERA in four starts during September, which was his best month aside from April. Flaherty faced the Guardians three times during the season and went 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 16 innings. His final two regular-season starts came against Cleveland, which scored one earned run in five innings on Sept. 17 and tagged him for three earned runs in 4.1 innings on Sept. 24.
Guardians pitcher today
Acquired for Josh Naylor during the offseason, right-hander Slade Cecconi was a bit of a stabilizing force for Cleveland this year. Cecconi gave the Guardians 23 starts and was 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA during the season. Cecconi was clutch for the Guardians down the stretch, allowing two or fewer runs in four of his final five starts, compiling a 2.19 ERA during that stretch.
Tigers lineup for Game 3
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Kerry Carpenter, DH
- Wenceel Perez, RF
- Spencer Torkelson, 1B
- Riley Greene, LF
- Dillon Dingler, C
- Zach McKinstry, 3B
- Javier Baez, SS
- Parker Meadows, CF
Guardians lineup for Game 2
- Steven Kwan, LF
- George Valera, RF
- Jose Ramirez, 3B
- Kyle Manzardo, DH
- Chase DeLauter, CF
- Gabriel Arias, SS
- Bo Naylor, C
- C.J. Kayfus, 1B
- Brayan Rocchio, 2B
MLB playoff schedule
Wild card series
Tuesday, Sept. 30
- Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (Detroit leads 1-0)
- Cubs 3, Padres 1 (Chicago leads 1-0)
- Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 (Boston leads 1-0)
- Dodgers 10, Reds 5 (Los Angeles leads 1-0)
Wednesday, Oct. 1
- Guardians 6, Tigers 1 (Series tied 1-1)
- Padres 3, Cubs 0 (Series tied 1-1)
- Yankees 4, Red Sox 3 (Series tied 1-1)
- Dodgers 8, Reds 4 (Los Angeles wins 2-0)
Thursday, Oct. 2
- Tigers at Guardians, Game 3: 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
- Padres at Cubs, Game 3: 5:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Red Sox at Yankees, Game 3: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Division series
Saturday, Oct. 4
- Yankees/Red Sox at Blue Jays, Game 1, TBD
- Tigers/Guardians at Mariners, Game 1, TBD
- Cubs/Padres at Brewers, Game 1, TBS/truTV/HBO Max
- Dodgers at Phillies, Game 1: TBS/truTV/HBO Max
Tigers record in 2025
Detroit finished 87-75 to each the No. 6 wild card in the American League. The Tigers held a 14-game lead in the division on July 8 but went 28-41 after that and lost the AL Central lead during the final week of the season.
Guardians record in 2025
Cleveland was 88-74, rallying from a 15.5-game deficit in early July to win its second consecutive division title. The Guardians went 48-26 after losing to the Tigers on July 6, that included winning 18 of their final 22 games and taking five of six from the Tigers in the final two weeks.