Game Details:
- Matchup: Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians
- Series: AL Wild Card Series, Game 3 (Winner-Take-All)
- Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
- Time: 3:08 PM EST
- Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
- TV: ABC
Odds:
- Moneyline: Tigers +105 | Guardians -127
Winner-Take-All Showdown in Cleveland
The American League Wild Card series comes down to a decisive Game 3, as the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians battle for a spot in the ALDS. After the Tigers stole Game 1 with a tight 2-1 victory, the Guardians battled back at home to force this do-or-die contest. Now, everything is on the line in an afternoon clash at Progressive Field, where one team will see its season end and the other will advance.
As the slight home favorites (-127), the Guardians look to capitalize on their home-field advantage, while the Tigers (+105) aim to pull off the road upset and continue their postseason run.
The Pitching Matchup: Veteran vs. Rising Arm
Detroit Tigers: Jack Flaherty, RHP
The Tigers will hand the ball to veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty for the most important start of their season. Flaherty brings postseason experience and the poise needed for a high-pressure environment. His task is clear: silence the Cleveland bats and give his offense a chance to scratch out enough runs to win. In a series where runs have been at a premium, a strong outing from Flaherty is Detroit’s clearest path to victory.
Cleveland Guardians: Slade Cecconi, RHP
The Guardians will counter with right-hander Slade Cecconi in a high-stakes test for the young pitcher. After working his way back onto the mound earlier in the season, Cecconi now finds himself on the biggest stage of his career. He’ll have the energy of the home crowd behind him, but he must effectively navigate a Tigers lineup that has proven it can do just enough to win. How Cecconi handles the pressure of this elimination game will be a key factor in the outcome.
Analysis and Prediction
This game profiles as another tense, low-scoring affair, consistent with the 2-1 final in Game 1. For the Tigers, the formula for success involves Flaherty delivering a quality start and the offense manufacturing a few key runs. They will be without utility man Matt Vierling (oblique), whose absence slightly thins their offensive depth.
For the Guardians, success hinges on getting a solid performance from Cecconi and feeding off the energy at Progressive Field. Cleveland’s lineup will need to be opportunistic and find a way to break through against Flaherty, something they struggled with in the series opener.
The betting odds reflect how close this matchup truly is. Cleveland is the favorite, primarily due to playing at home, which is a significant advantage in a winner-take-all scenario. While Flaherty provides a potential edge in experience on the mound for Detroit, the pressure of an elimination game on the road is immense. In what is essentially a toss-up, the home team often finds a way. Expect a nail-biter, but the Guardians should do just enough to punch their ticket to the next round.
Prediction: Guardians 3, Tigers 2
The Pick: Cleveland Guardians (-127)
Sources:
Detroit Tigers Injury Status – ESPN
Tigers injuries and roster moves
Tigers Injury Report (July 2nd, 2025) : r/motorcitykitties
Detroit Tigers Injury Report and Status 2025 – CBSSports.com
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