Tigers Defeat Guardians 6-3 to Advance in MLB Playoffs

On October 2, 2025, the Detroit Tigers secured a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series at Progressive Field, eliminating Cleveland and advancing to face the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. The Tigers, coming in as the lower seed after a difficult second half, found their offense at the right time and capitalized on key defensive plays to clinch the series 2-1. Detroit built an early lead, highlighted by timely hitting and strong contributions from the heart of the order. Notably, Riley Greene and Parker Meadows delivered crucial hits, while Javier Báez provided stability in the infield. On the mound, Jack Flaherty started for Detroit and delivered a solid outing, limiting Cleveland’s opportunities and giving the bullpen a manageable advantage. Will Vest closed out the ninth, working around a Guardians rally and sealing the win with support from first baseman Spencer Torkelson. Cleveland, despite winning the AL Central, struggled to generate offense in the elimination game. The Guardians managed to close the gap late, capitalizing on a rare defensive miscue in the eighth, but a successful challenge by Detroit erased a potential momentum shift when José Ramírez was ruled out at second base after review. Cleveland’s bullpen, including Cade Smith, was unable to contain Detroit’s bats as the Tigers maintained their lead through the final innings. The victory marks a notable turnaround for Detroit, who had relinquished their division lead to Cleveland in September. Tarik Skubal’s dominant performance in Game 1 set the tone, and the Tigers’ resurgence in Game 3 ensured their postseason run would continue. With the Mariners awaiting in the ALDS, Detroit will look to carry forward the momentum, particularly as Skubal is expected to pitch in the crucial games ahead. For detailed stats and a full game breakdown, visit the CBSSports.com box score and catch up on live highlights via ESPN’s Gamecast. The Tigers’ win not only ends Cleveland’s season but also sets up a compelling ALDS matchup against a surging Mariners squad. As Detroit looks to continue its playoff run, all eyes will be on their pitching rotation and whether their late-season revival can translate into further postseason success.