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33m ago

Guardians Host Tigers as One-Game AL Central Gap Sets Up Decisive Week

Cleveland needs one win this week to secure the season-series tiebreaker over Detroit.

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the bullpen before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 19, 2025 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The three-game set at Progressive Field opens Tuesday with Tarik Skubal facing Gavin Williams, a marquee matchup of aces who have dominated in the second half.
  • The Guardians have slashed a 15.5-game deficit to one by going 16-5 in September, while the Tigers have skidded to 26-37 since July 9, including six straight losses and nine of 10.
  • All six of Cleveland’s remaining regular-season games are at home, and the club is tied with Houston for the final AL Wild Card spot while holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Astros.
  • Cleveland’s surge has been powered by a six-man rotation and elite pitching depth despite closer Emmanuel Clase being on paid leave during MLB’s sports-betting investigation; the staff owns a 2.32 ERA in September.
  • Per Elias Sports Bureau, if Cleveland takes the division, it would mark the largest deficit ever overcome to win a division in the divisional era.