Tigers Poised to Shatter Guardians' Hopes: What This Season’s Final Showdown Really Means

The Guardians have their backs against the wall, but considering they really weren’t expected to be here, I suppose this is like playing with house money. The Guardians stole the AL Central division from the Tigers, who had a substantially larger lead than a one-game lead. The Guardians were one of the hottest teams in baseball in the second half, but a three-game series is never one you can be too comfortable in. Yesterday had to feel a bit like they let the game slip away from them. For example, the team didn’t give up an earned run. The first run to the Tigers was an unearned one after an error in right field. Another error allowed the Tigers to get runners on first and third with no one out. A sacrifice squeeze gave the Tigers the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Today, the Guardians have Tanner Bibee on the hill. Bibee was just 12-11 for the season with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He has been better at home than he has been on the road with a 3.22 ERA. He was, however, phenomenal against the Tigers this season, holding them to just two runs in 19 innings. The 0.95 ERA was his lowest against any team this year. The only caution I have is that his past two starts have been against the Tigers. He won both going six innings and allowing one earned run. I’m a little concerned about him trying to beat a team three times in a row.