The Detroit Tigers are eyeing their first American League Championship Series appearance since 2013, and with a 2-1 series lead over the Cleveland Guardians, the only thing standing in their way is a team that will be fighting for their playoff lives in Thursday's ALCS Game 4.
All three games in the series have been shutouts, with Detroit taking the previous two games by scores of 3-0. The Tigers put together a bullpen game to win Game 3, and their six pitchers combined for just two walks and scattered six hits — five of which were allowed by Brant Harter, who got the win after going 3 1/3 innings.
Cleveland will need to get some runs on the board against Detroit starter Reese Olson if they want to stay in the series. The Guardians — who have managed nine hits in the past two games — will send Tanner Bibby to the mound.
Next, the New York Yankees could shut out the Kansas City Royals in their ALDS matchup. The Yanks took a 2-1 series lead on Wednesday with a 3-2 victory from Giancarlo Stanton in the eighth inning.
Despite a bit of shakiness in his Game 1 start against the Royals — a game the Yankees won — Gerrit Cole will get the ball to lead New York to the ALCS for the 11th time since 2000. The Royals are in Kansas City for the season.
Thursday's ALDS schedule and how you can watch:
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The Tigers go 1-2-3 in the 3rd
Tanner Beebe got his first 1-2-3 inning in the third inning. Parker Meadows grounded out to second, Kerry Carpenter struck out, and Matt Vierling grounded out to shortstop to end the frame.
Guardians 1, Tigers 1 going into the fourth inning.
Guardians threaten but do not score
Reese Olson was in a bit of trouble after giving up two consecutive two-out singles to Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas (2-for-2 so far). But he struck out Will Brennan to end Cleveland's threat.
We're still tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the third
The Tigers tied the score, 1-1
Trey Swinney drove in Colt Keith with a sacrifice fly to center field for Detroit's first run of the game.
However, Tanner BB avoided further damage by lining out Zack Rogers with Brian Roccio at shortstop. Roche then doubled off Spencer Torkelson to end the inning.
The bases are loaded for Detroit
Tanner Bibi may be in trouble in the second innings. He walked Colt Keith, followed by Spencer Torkelson's single. Beebe then walked Jack McKinstry to load the bases with no outs.
Scoreless top 2 for Cleveland
Reese Olson struck out Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor in the top of the second inning before walking Brian Rocchio. Steven Kwan popped out to shortstop to end the inning.
1st innings: Guardians 1, Tigers 0
Parker Meadows led off the bottom of the first with a double, but was stranded there by Tanner Bibby. Kerry Carpenter struck out, Matt Vierling popped out to second base, and Riley Green flied out to left field to end the inning.
Tanner BB v. Tiger
Tanner Bibby had a 4.50 ERA vs. Detroit in four starts this season. He allowed 11 earned runs and 19 hits with 19 strikeouts in 22 innings.
In Game 1 of the ALDS, BB pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up four hits.
The Tigers allowed just one run in the 1st
Considering he walked the first two batters, Reese Olson was lucky to give up just one run. He let Jose Ramirez fly out to left and struck out Josh Naylor before Lane Thomas' RBI single. Will Brennan grounded out to third base to end the inning.
The parents went on strike first
Lane Thomas drove in Steven Kwan, who went to third on a steal, with two outs. The Guardians took an early 1-0 lead.
The Guardians lead off with two singles in a row
Steven Kwan led off with a single and Kyle Manzardo followed with a single of his own. Cleveland threatened early.
Reese Olson v. Guardian
Reese Olson had a 3.00 ERA vs. Cleveland in two starts this season, allowing four earned runs and seven hits in 12 innings. He racked up seven strikeouts.
Tigers lineup, Game 4
Reese Olson has started pitching chaos for the Tigers:
Guardians lineup, Game 4
Tanner BB starts in a must-win Game 4 for the Guardians:
