That was the thought racing through my mind after the Guardians faced off against the Tigers and came up short, losing 3-0 on a crisp Monday evening at Progressive Field. Now, don’t get me wrong—this series being tied at 1-1 is hardly a jaw-dropper, especially with Game 3 on the horizon, set to take place in Detroit. But what unfolded during that game was enough to leave even the most seasoned fans scratching their heads.
First off, let’s talk about the man who took the mound for Detroit: Tarik Skubal. This left-handed dynamo is a serious contender for the Cy Young Award this season, and his performance was nothing short of phenomenal. Skubal pitched seven innings, completely blanking the Guardians. He led the American League in wins with an impressive 18, held an eye-popping ERA of 2.39, and struck out a staggering 228 batters throughout the season. When Skubal is on, he’s a force to be reckoned with. The Guardians managed just three hits and couldn’t get a single runner to third base during those seven innings. You could see it on the field—Cleveland looked almost helpless against this pitching wizard. Skubal was in complete control, walking no one and fanning eight batters along the way.
The reality is that losing to a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber shouldn’t be surprising. If anything, the Guardians needed to channel their performance from Game 1, where they convincingly won 7-0, a game that was set up to favor them. They had their ace Tanner Bibee on the mound, and the Tigers opted for a bullpen game—a risky move that didn't pay off. So, heading into Game 2, the Guardians were facing a formidable challenge.
But here’s the twist that truly made the game shocking: Emmanuel Clase, the usually untouchable closer for the Guardians, gave up a three-run homer in the ninth inning. Let that sink in for a moment. This is the same Emmanuel Clase who allowed just five earned runs all season! He had only given up two home runs in 74 ⅓ innings prior to this game. To put it bluntly, that was the first three-run homer of his MLB career, spanning a whopping 313 innings! But on that fateful Monday night, in a game that was still 0-0, everything came crashing down.
When the ninth inning rolled around, the Tigers hadn’t managed to score in the first 17 innings of this playoff series. But all it took was two outs, and suddenly, things started to unravel for Clase. He allowed two singles, and in a flash, the Tigers were back in business.
“Look, he’s human, too,” said Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt, and he couldn’t have been more accurate. Even Clase, with his mind-blowing 0.61 ERA this season, is still human.
And then came Kerry Carpenter to the plate, and the rest is history. BOOM! Carpenter launched a jaw-dropping 423-foot blast into the right field seats off a 93-mph slider from Clase. Just like that, the game shifted, and the Guardians were left reeling.
The question now is: where does this leave us in the series? Let’s take a step back and discuss what’s actually going on. The Tigers are not just a fluke; they clawed their way into the playoffs by winning an impressive 31 of their last 44 games. That’s right—they went from a mediocre 55-63 record at one point this season to playoff contenders. It’s an incredible turnaround, and it makes them one of baseball’s biggest surprises this year. In fact, they even managed to take down the favored Houston Astros in a 2-0 sweep during the wild card series.
“Now we go back home with the series 1-1 and we have two games at our place,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “We know the crowd will be electric. Detroit has been waiting a long time for a playoff game.” And that’s the truth! The atmosphere in Detroit is going to be electric, and you can feel the excitement building.
But let’s not overlook the fact that the Guardians won’t be facing Skubal again in Game 3. The Tigers haven’t announced their starter yet, and it could very well turn into another bullpen game. Meanwhile, Cleveland will counter with Alex Cobb, a seasoned veteran who was added to the team late in the season. It’s a chance for the Guardians to reset and take back control of the series.
As we look ahead, common sense would suggest that this series ending up tied at 1-1 is where we’d find ourselves. But the Guardians have to step up and play like the team that boasted the second-best record in the American League this season. They have the talent, and they’ve shown it before. Now is the time to unleash that potential, to harness the energy of the home crowd, and to make a statement in Game 3.
So, what’s next for the Guardians? They’ve got to shake off the shock of Game 2 and come back with a vengeance. It’s crucial to focus on the fundamentals, get their bats going, and support Cobb on the mound. With the stakes this high, every pitch and every swing counts.
In baseball, it’s all about momentum, and after that unexpected turn in Game 2, the Guardians need to reclaim it. There’s no room for doubt now; they’ve faced tough competition before, and this series is far from over.
Cleveland fans can still hold on to hope. This team has proven they can rise to the occasion, and it’s time for them to do just that. The excitement, the nerves, the thrill of postseason baseball—it’s all part of the ride.
In the end, while the shock of Game 2 will linger, it’s essential to remember that baseball is a game of resilience. Every setback is an opportunity for a comeback. As the series shifts back to Detroit, the Guardians have a chance to turn this around.
Let’s keep our heads high and look forward to what promises to be an electrifying Game 3! The Guardians need to come out swinging and play with the kind of fire that’s made them contenders in the first place. After all, this is postseason baseball, and anything can happen. Who’s ready for the next chapter?
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