Guardians Blank Tigers in ALDS Opener

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

October 5, 2024

Guardians 7, Tigers o

The Cleveland Guardians cruised to a one-sided win in Game One of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, 7–0, on Saturday. A five-run first inning that featured a three-run blast by Lane Thomas was the deciding factor in this playoff matinee. The Tigers will look to even this crucial series at one game apiece on Monday on TBS. First pitch is scheduled for 4:08 pm Eastern at Progressive Field. AL Cy Young hopeful Tarik Skubal (1–0, 0.00) will get the ball for the Tigers in Game Two, while former Tiger Matthew Boyd (0–0, 0.00) will toe the slab for the Guardians.

Stay in Your Lane

The Guardians scored five of their runs in the bottom of the first against Tigers lefty Tyler Holton. Steven Kwan opened the inning with a double to right. On deck was David Fry, who drew a walk moments before Jose Ramirez reached on a fielder’s choice. Kwan scored on the play, and each runner moved up 90 feet on a fielding error by Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry.

Fry crossed the plate on a single to right by Josh Naylor, prompting Tigers manager A.J. Hinch to bring in Reese Olson to relieve Holton. With the first two runners that he has inherited in his career at the corners, Olson went into his windup and delivered to Thomas. The latter blasted a three-run shot to left-center to stretch the Guardians’ lead to 5–0.

The Tigers were able to stop the bleeding for the next five innings. The Guardians tacked on two more in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Ty Madden. He opened the frame by issuing a free pass to Jhonkensy Noel before getting Bo Naylor out on a fly ball to right, and Brayan Rocchio on a called third strike. On deck was Kwan, who advanced Noel to second with a walk. Moments later, Fry drove in both runners by lining a double to left.

What Went Right for the Guardians

A lot of things went the Guardians’ way in the first inning on Saturday. There were Thomas’ three-run dinger and the fielder’s choice that Kwan scored on. There was also the single by (Josh) Naylor that Fry scored on. When beginning a playoff series, it’s important to get out to an early lead and keep the pressure on your opponent alive and well. That’s exactly what the Guardians did on Saturday against the Tigers.

What Went Wrong for the Guardians

The touchdown that the Guardians scored in Game One was good, but they could have scored even more. As a team, they went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and they left seven on base. They’ll try to take advantage of those opportunities more in Game Two on Monday afternoon.

Nice Effort by Bibee

Guardians starter Tanner Bibee pitched 4 2/3 innings on Saturday. He held the Tigers scoreless, as did the four relievers who followed him, on four hits. Bibee walked one and struck out six in his outing. Right-hander Cade Smith came on in relief of Bibee in the fifth, and tossed an inning and a third. He struck out four, earning his first win of the 2024 playoffs, bringing his record to 1–0 with an ERA of zero.

Tough Afternoon for Holton

Tigers starter Tyler Holton failed to record an out in the bottom of the first. He surrendered four runs, three earned, on four hits and one walk. He shouldered the loss, bringing his postseason record to 1–0 with an love-handle riddled ERA of 20.25.

Vogt’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was asked how his nerves during the regular season compared to the nerves of his first managerial postseason. “Obviously, very different, but it’s the same,” Vogt said. “You’re anxious to get going. We’ve talked to work all spring training, all regular season to get to this moment. So for our guys showing up this morning feels like excitement, like Christmas morning. We’re waiting for this, so we’re really excited to get out there.”

Vogt also discussed their gameplan for Tarik Skubal on Monday. “I mean, obviously, they’ve got great pitching both in the bullpen and Skubal has been one of the best pitchers in baseball,” he said. “So we know we have our work cut out for us. So we’ve approached every single game, and that’s win today. It’s find a way to win. Fortunately we’ve faced a number of their bullpen games throughout the regular season, kind of understand the cadence of what they’re going to do to us, and our players are ready for it.”