The Detroit Tigers have their eyes set on their first American League Championship Series appearance since 2013, and with a 2-1 series lead against the Cleveland Guardians, the only thing standing in their way is one team that will fight for its playoff life in Game 4 of the ALCS on Thursday. All three games in this series have been shut out, with Detroit winning each of the last two games by scores of 3-0. The Tigers put together a bullpen game to win Game 3 and their six pitchers combined to walk just two and distribute six hits, five of which were allowed by Brandt Hurter, who earned the victory after working 3 1/3 innings. . Cleveland will need to get some runs on the board against starter Reese Olson if they want to stay in the series. The Guardians, who have managed just nine hits in their last two games, will send Tanner Bibee to the hill.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees can eliminate the Kansas City Royals on Thursday in their ALDS matchup. The Yankees took a 2-1 series lead on Wednesday night, fueled by Giancarlo Stanton’s solo home run in the eighth inning in a 3-2 victory. Despite being a little shaky in his start to Game 1 against the Royals, a game the Yankees won, ace Gerrit Cole will get the ball to try to lead New York to the American League Championship Series for the 11th time since 2000. Michael Wacha takes the mound for the Royals with the season on the line in Kansas City.
Friday’s ALDS schedule and how you can watch:
Tiger Guardians – 6:08 pm Eastern Time | TNT/Max (DET leads, 2-1)
Yankees vs. Royals – 8:08 pm ET | TNT/Max (NYY leads, 2-1)