Guardians and Tigers clash in decisive Game 3 for AL playoff berth

CLEVELAND The American League wild card series between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers returns to Progressive Field on Thursday for a winner take all Game 3, with first pitch set for 3:08 p.m. Eastern on ABC. The best of three is tied 1-1 after Detroit won Game 1 and Cleveland evened the series with a 6-1 victory in Game 2 on Tuesday, setting up the decisive matchup whose winner will advance to the AL Division Series against the Seattle Mariners.

Cleveland broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning of Game 2, erupting for a five-run rally highlighted by a go-ahead solo home run from Brayan Rocchio and a three-run shot from Bo Naylor. An RBI double by Daniel Schneemann also factored in the outburst, and reliever Cade Smith recorded the win after 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Detroit managed only one run despite out-hitting the Guardians in that game.

Thursday's pitching matchup will feature Detroit right-hander Jack Flaherty against Cleveland right-hander Slade Cecconi. Flaherty went 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA in the regular season and is Detroit's most experienced October starter. Cecconi finished the regular season 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA. Managers on both sides will lean on...