Tigers Defeat Guardians 6-3 Ending AL Wild Card Series

The Cleveland Guardians' 2025 season ended with a 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, held at Progressive Field. Despite a historic comeback to win the AL Central, the Guardians were unable to overcome offensive struggles that persisted throughout the season, finishing with the worst team batting average in MLB postseason history. Detroit's offense, which had struggled with runners in scoring position earlier in the series, came alive in the decisive game, highlighted by Dillon Dingler's tiebreaking sixth-inning home run and a four-run seventh inning fueled by key hits from Wenceel Pérez, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene. The Tigers, who had finished with the second-worst record in September, advanced to face the Seattle Mariners in the AL Division Series, carrying newfound confidence at the plate. Cleveland's bullpen strategy faltered, particularly during the pivotal seventh inning when the Tigers scored four runs, sealing the Guardians' fate. While Cleveland's starting pitching was a strength, questions remain about the bullpen and the futures of key players amid ongoing investigations, with the team aiming to develop promising prospects during the offseason.