Reports of the Detroit Tigers’ death were greatly exaggerated.
The Tigers might have coughed up their 14-game lead in American League Central over the final 2½ months of the season, but they’re alive and well in the postseason and one win from a second consecutive appearance in the AL Division Series.
Detroit’s lefty ace Tarik Skubal dominated the Cleveland Guardians during a 2-1 win in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series, striking out 14 and allowing just one run on three hits in 7⅔ innings pitched. A victory Wednesday would send them to Seattle to take on the AL West-winning Mariners.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt shrugged off Game 2 being a pressure situation for his club, which was eight games under .500 and well outside the playoff picture on July 6.
‘Our backs have been against the wall for three months. What’s one more day?’ Vogt told reporters after Tuesday’s game.
Here’s what you need to know in order to watch Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Tigers and Guardians on Wednesday, Oct. 1:
What time is Tigers vs Guardians Game 2?
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
Start time: 1:08 p.m. ET
Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Tigers and Guardians will start at 1:08 p.m. ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland.
What channel is Tigers vs Guardians Game 2?
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo
MLB postseason bracket
American League
No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the AL Division Series.
No. 2 Seattle Mariners: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in AL Division Series.
No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees
National League
No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, including World Series. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the NL Division Series.
No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in NL Division Series.
No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers
No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs
Tigers vs Guardians predictions
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports MLB writers and editors see the Tigers-Guardians wild-card series shaking out:
Bob Nightengale: Guardians in 3
Gabe Lacques: Tigers in 2
Jesse Yomtov: Guardians in 2
Tigers pitcher today
Right-hander Casey Mize will get the Game 2 start for Detroit after posting the best season of his five-year career. Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, went 14-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 28 starts in 2025. In three starts against the Guardians this season, Mize was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17.1 innings.
Guardians pitcher today
Tanner Bibee will be tasked with keeping Cleveland’s season alive. Bibee took a step back in 2025, going 12-11 with a 4.24 ERA. However, the right-hander was lights out during his final four starts to the regular season, going 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA. That stretch included two outings against the Tigers, against whom Bibee allowed two earned runs in 12 innings with 13 strikeouts.
Tigers lineup for Game 2
Parker Meadows, CF
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Kerry Carpenter, DH
Spencer Torkelson, 1B
Riley Greene, LF
Wenceel Perez, RF
Dillon Dingler, C
Zach McKinstry, 3B
Javier Baez, SS
Guardians lineup for Game 2
Steven Kwan, LF
George Valera, RF
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Kyle Manzardo, DH
Bo Naylor, C
Gabriel Arias, SS
Chase DeLauter, CF
C.J. Kayfus, 1B
Brayan Rocchio, 2B
MLB playoff picture
Wild Card Series
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (Detroit leads 1-0)
Cubs 3, Padres 1 (Chicago leads 1-0)
Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 (Boston leads 1-0)
Dodgers 10, Reds 5 (Los Angeles leads 1-0)
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Tigers at Guardians, Game 2: 1:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Padres at Cubs, Game 2: 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
Red Sox at Yankees, Game 2: 6:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Reds at Dodgers, Game 2: 9:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Thursday, Oct. 2
(Game 3 schedule subject to change)
Tigers at Guardians, Game 3: 1:08 p.m. ET, ESPN * if necessary
Padres at Cubs, Game 3: 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC * if necessary
Red Sox at Yankees, Game 3: 6:08 p.m. ET, ESPN * if necessary
Reds at Dodgers, Game 4: 9:08 p.m. ET, ESPN * if necessary
Tigers record in 2025
Detroit finished 87-75 to each the No. 6 wild card in the American League. The Tigers held a 14-game lead in the division on July 8 but went 28-41 after that and lost the AL Central lead during the final week of the season.
Guardians record in 2025
Cleveland was 88-74, rallying from a 15.5-game deficit in early July to win its second consecutive division title. The Guardians went 48-26 after losing to the Tigers on July 6, that included winning 18 of their final 22 games and taking five of six from the Tigers in the final two weeks.
Who is Chase DeLauter?
The Guardians made the surprising decision to put outfielder Chase DeLauter on their 26-man roster for the wild-card round. DeLauter will start in center field for Cleveland during Game 2 and bat seventh. It’s surprising because DeLauter, Cleveland’s first-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft, has yet to make his major-league debut. DeLauter, who has slashed .302/.384/.504 in three minor league seasons, will give the Guardians another left-handed bat off the bench and a strong defensive outfielder that can play all three spots.
