The Cleveland Guardians have had more problems than anticipated with the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series.
Cleveland took Game 1 with a convincing 7-0 shutout, but the Tigers notched consecutive 3-0 wins to take control of the best-of-five matchup.
On Thursday, however, the Guards remembered how to hit a baseball, cut short a 20-inning scoreless streak and hung on to beat Detroit 5-4 in Game 4 to tie things.
Now, the two phenomenal squads are headed to a deciding Game 5.
The hopes and dreams of an entire year will come down to a single game: the winner advances to the American League Championship Series, where the New York Yankees are waiting.
The loser goes home empty-handed.
Amid some suspense involving a potential opener strategy with a top reliever pitching the first inning or two, the Guardians have already announced their starter for the contest.
Matthew Boyd will start Game 5 for the Guardians.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 11, 2024
There will be no mysteries: Matthew Boyd, the underrated guy who posted a 2.72 ERA in the regular season, will take the ball.
The problem, however, is that the Tigers will have Triple Crown winner and likely AL Cy Young Tarik Skubal on the mound.
Skubal hasn’t allowed a single run in the 2024 postseason in 13 innings.
Boyd will need to be at the top of his game for at least three or four innings for the Guardians to have a chance, just as it happened on Game 2 of the series.
He is certainly capable and has already shown his worth.
The offense will need to show something against the tough Skubal or at least make him work to get him out of the game relatively soon.
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