Cleveland Guardians Win ALDS Game 1, 7-0

In a dominant performance, the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers 7-0 in Game 1 of the AL Division Series, highlighted by Lane Thomas's three-run homer on his first postseason at-bat. The Guardians exploded for five runs in the first inning, the first five batters reaching base before the Tigers could record an out, marking a historic moment as the first American League team to achieve such a feat in playoff history. Tanner Bibee pitched 4 2/3 innings before Cleveland's elite bullpen took over, combining for 4 1/3 hitless innings, preserving the shutout and clinching the largest postseason shutout margin in franchise history. Detroit struggled offensively, striking out 13 times and failing to get a runner past first base in the final four innings. The teams will meet again for Game 2, with the Tigers looking to even the series behind Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is lauded for his strategic decisions that led to the team's success this season and in the playoffs.