The Tigers aced their first test of the 2024 MLB Postseason, as Detroit swept the AL West champion Houston Astros. Now, the Tigers will face division rival Cleveland. The Guardians went 7-6 against Detroit this season and feature one of the league’s most prolific hitters. Here’s a preview of the upcoming ALDS between the Tigers and Guardians.
Scheduled Starters and Start Times
- Game 1 (10/5/24): Tyler Holton (Tigers) vs. Tanner Bibee (Guardians) – 1:08 PM ET
- Game 2 (10/7/24): Tarik Skubal (Tigers) vs. Matthew Boyd (Guardians) – 4:08 PM ET
- Game 3 (10/9/24): TBD vs. TBD – 3:08 PM ET
- Game 4 (10/10/24): TBD vs. TBD – 6:08 PM ET
- Game 5 (10/12/24): TBD vs. TBD – 4:38 PM ET
Four of the five games will air on TBS. Game 4 is scheduled to be on TNT.
A Look at the Offenses
| Stat |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 682 | 708 |
| Home Runs | 162 | 185 |
| OPS | .685 | .703 |
| Whiff% | 25.9% | 23.0% |
| Hard Hit% | 38.0% | 33.8% |
Detroit’s offense did just enough to squeak by the Astros in the AL Wild Card Round. The Tigers scored eight runs over the two games, three of which came off a bases-clearing double by Andy Ibanez in the eighth inning of Game 2. Out of the four advancing teams in the last found, the Tigers finished third in the runs scored category.
The last series mimicked how the Tigers scratched and clawed their way to a playoff spot. It’s not pretty but effective. Detroit walked 12 times over those two games — three walks from Spencer Torkelson and four from Colt Keith — to work Houston pitching and expect the same against the Guardians.
The Guardians, meanwhile, bring in an offense that ranked 14th in the Majors in runs scored and 12th in home runs during the regular season. Cleveland’s offense is similar to what the Guardians had in 2022; much like that season, the Guardians ranked dead last in Hard Hit% but among the league’s best in Whiff%.
The engines of the Guardians’ offense were Josh Naylor and Jose Ramirez, a duo who combined for 70 of the Guardians’ 185 home runs (37.8%). Both are premier power hitters, although Ramirez can hurt teams in various ways. Ramirez walked 54 times and stole 41 bases.
Additionally, Cleveland has one of the game’s best top-of-the-order hitters, Steven Kwan. Kwan hit a career-high 14 home runs and posted a .368 OBP for the Guardians this season.
A Look at the Pitching
| Stat | | |
|---|---|---|
| Starters’ ERA | 3.69 | 4.40 |
| Relievers’ ERA | 3.55 | 2.57 |
| Strikeouts | 1,354 | 1,410 |
| Opponents’ AVG | .233 | .230 |
| Chase% | 29.9% | 27.6% |
The Tigers’ bullpen was one of the league’s best this season and AJ Hinch used it heavily during the AL Wild Card Round. Detroit went with a full bullpen game in Game 2 after Tarik Skubal dominated the Astros in Game 1. Seven pitchers, including ALDS Game 1 starter Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, and Will Vest, gave up just two runs in that second game.
In that series, Detroit had the luxury of flexing their bullpen, but the ALDS will be a different story. The Tigers will have Skubal on full rest for Game 2 and will likely be ready for Game 5 — or Game 4, possibly on short rest. And, Tyler Holton will get another playoff start.
However, the Tigers may have to lean on Reese Olson or Keider Montero, the latter of whom made the ALDS roster over Casey Mize, as a starter in this series. Olson missed almost two months with a shoulder strain and didn’t pitch well — seven runs over nine innings — upon his return. Montero was fine in his rookie season but didn’t miss many bats.
In either case, expect heavy bullpen usage from the Tigers this series.
Detroit will face the league’s best bullpen in the Guardians, at least if the regular season is any indication. Guardians relievers finished first in ERA and seventh in K/9 (9.39). Emmanuel Clase and his triple-digit cutter had another incredible season, as he owned a 0.61 ERA during the regular season and will likely net Cy Young votes.
Cleveland will likely lean heavily on their bullpen, as well. After a season-ending injury to Shane Bieber and struggles from Triston McKenzie, the Guardians had just two regular starters post an above-average ERA+: Tanner Bibee (117) and Ben Lively (107). Lively is not on the ALDS roster.
Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb, both of whom were acquired midseason, are on the Guardians’ roster.
Our Prediction
This series will be very tight. Aside from the bullpen, neither team excels in one specific category.
There are also other factors to consider. Will the hot Tigers continue the good vibes? Will the Guardians be rusty after a week off? Remember, Cleveland didn’t play between September 29 through October 4, after their last regular-season game was canceled due to rain.
Cleveland may be the favorite here but the Tigers have the best starter in this series and an offense who can bleed opposing teams. We’ll take the Tigers in an upset.