The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers play in a winner-takes-all Game 3 this afternoon at Progressive Field.
After Tuesday’s nail-biter Game 1, where the Tigers edged out a 2-1 win in a pitchers’ duel between Tarik Skubal and Gavin Williams, the Guardians responded. George Valera hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first, and Cleveland broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth with five runs, capped by home runs from Bo Naylor and Brayan Rocchio.
The Guardians’ staff has been the centerpiece of the series, holding the Tigers to just three runs over the first two games — an average of 1.5 per game. That’s even stronger than their September performance, when they held Detroit to an average of 2.2 runs in their final six regular-season matchups.
But today may not bring another pitchers’ duel with Jack Flaherty and Slade Cecconi on the mound.
Flaherty finished the season 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA, but improved in September with a 3.86 ERA over four starts, including two against Cleveland. He allowed four runs in 9.1 innings in those outings, both losses. He also faced the Guardians in May, giving up three runs over 6.2 innings.
Flaherty hasn’t pitched more than five innings in a start since mid-August, so Detroit’s bullpen will likely be called on early. This will be his 10th career postseason start. He owns a 5.36 playoff ERA and was hit hard last year by the New York Yankees and New York Mets while pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 postseason.
Cecconi makes his postseason debut after a 7-7 regular season with a 4.30 ERA. He closed with a mixed September, tossing two scoreless starts of seven innings or more but also getting shelled for seven runs and 11 hits against the Boston Red Sox and four runs in four innings against the Texas Rangers. He didn’t face Detroit in September, but pitched well against them earlier this year, allowing three runs over 12 innings in two starts.
Prediction
Flaherty brings postseason experience, but in his case, it’s not really an advantage. Cecconi has been all-or-nothing lately, but has handled the Tigers. The edge here goes to Cleveland, though expect a close game.
Prediction: Guardians 5, Tigers 3
Starting Lineups
Detroit Tigers
1. Gleyber Torres — 2B
2. Kerry Carpenter — DH
3. Wenceel Pérez — RF
4. Spencer Torkelson — 1B
5. Riley Greene — LF
6. Dillon Dingler — C
7. Zack McKinstry — 3B
8. Javier Baez — SS
9. Parker Meadows — CF
Starting Pitcher: Jack Flaherty (RHP) — 8-15, 4.64 ERA (2025 Regular Season)
Cleveland Guardians
1. Steven Kwan — LF
2. George Valera — RF
3. José Ramírez — 3B
4. Kyle Manzardo — DH
5. Chase DeLauter — CF
6. Gabriel Arias — SS
7. Bo Naylor — C
8. C.J. Kayfus — 1B
9. Brayan Rocchio — 2B
Starting Pitcher: Slade Cecconi (RHP) — 7-7, 4.30 ERA (2025 Regular Season)
How to Watch Tigers vs. Guardians
First pitch for this afternoon’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians is set for 3:08 PM Eastern at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
The game airs live on ABC and streams on the ABC and ESPN apps and websites.
You can watch the game for free on your local ABC affiliate with an antenna, or at no additional cost through most existing cable, satellite, or live-TV streaming packages.
If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch the game for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the game.
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
First Pitch: 3:08 PM Eastern
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites
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