CLEVELAND, Ohio – After 17 meetings this season, the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers will finally settle the score with a winner-take-all Game 5 of the ALDS today – Saturday, Oct. 12 – at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. This game is available to watch on multiple streaming services.
The game will broadcast live on TBS and Max with the first pitch at 1:08 p.m. Eastern. Those who have cut the cable cord can catch the ALDS for free by utilizing streaming alternatives like FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, which both offer free trials. SlingTV also has promotional offers.
Watch every game in the Guardians-Tigers ALDS series for free
The winner of this matchup will advance to face the top-seeded New York Yankees beginning on Oct. 14 at 7:37 p.m. The Guardians and Tigers both went 2-4 against New York this season.
The Guardians
Cleveland dodged elimination with a brilliant display of resilience in what became an instant classic of October baseball.
David Fry was the man of the hour with a two-run home run in the seventh inning, followed by a suicide squeeze bunt that brought home a pivotal insurance run.
Drawing blood early, Cleveland snapped a 20-inning scoreless streak and notched their first victory in an elimination game in 11 attempts, dating back to Game 6 of the 1997 World Series.
They are trying to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2016. During that run, Cleveland went to the World Series and lost in seven games against the Chicago Cubs.
Guardians players to watch
We have to start with David Fry. His heroics were a turning point in the tense contest. He has had a flair for the dramatic at times this season. The All-Star had 14 home runs and 51 RBI in the regular season. Fry went 0-for-3 against Skubal in Game 2.
Reminiscent of his first half of the regular season, Steven Kwan has been hot for the Guardians. He is batting .500, including a 3-of-5 performance in Game 4.
Jose Ramirez is hitting 2-for-14 in the series, but he is coming off a home run in Game 4. Ramirez slugged 39 home runs and 118 RBI with 41 stolen bases.
Watch Guardians vs. Tigers for free on DirecTV Stream
The Tigers
Detroit’s hopes of champagne-soaked uniforms and an all-night celebration were taken away on a single swing. The “pitching chaos” mentality gave way, setting the stage for Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal, who was sitting in Detroit manager A.J. Hinch’s pocket the whole time.
Hinch’s savvy managing will likely once again come into play. He outsmarted Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt in Game 3. Vogt dealt some swift moves of his own in Game 4.
Detroit is trying to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2013.
Tigers players to watch
The spotlight is on Tarik Skubal, specifically his performance on four days rest. He is 4-3 with a 3.11 ERA in such games. On five days rest, Skubal morphs into a nearly unhittable machine with a 9-1 record and a 2.01 ERA.
Parker Meadows has the magic touch in this series. He has recorded a hit in all six of Detroit’s postseason games. Meadows tallied nine home runs and 28 RBI in the regular season.
Justyn Henry-Malloy is 5-for-7 with two walks in the postseason. Henry-Malloy notched eight home runs and 21 RBI in the regular season.
Today’s pitching matchup
(CLE) Matthew Boyd (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. (DET) Tarik Skubal (1-0, 0.00)
It’s a pitching rematch of Game 2. Two close friends. Two teams trying to fulfill their destiny and advance to the next round while sticking it to their rival.
Matthew Boyd, who spent eight seasons in Detroit, will try to lock up the Tigers hitters once again. He held Detroit scoreless in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Following form, the Guardians 1-2-3 bullpen punch of Cade Smith, Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis are poised and ready to help carry their team to a date in the Bronx with the New York Yankees. Clase held on to close out the Tigers in Game 4. You can bet he will be waiting behind the final door if the opportunity arises.
Tarik Skubal, the American League triple crown winner, has not allowed a run in either of his postseason starts this season. He shut down the Guardians lineup in Game 2 for seven scoreless innings while tallying eight strikeouts. Cleveland mustered just three hits.
After giving up the seismic two-run blast, right-handed closer Beau Brieske will headline another all-hands on deck approach for a Tigers bullpen that has delivered time and time again.
What’s the weather forecast for Guardians-Tigers Game 5?
The game was moved up from its original start time of 8:08 p.m. because of the threat of inclement weather. The new forecast calls for considerable cloudiness and a temperature in the mid 60’s.
Who are the announcers for Guardians vs. Tigers Game 5?
Brian Anderson and Jeff Francoeur will have the call, while Lauren Jbara reports from the field.
What are the latest odds for Guardians vs. Tigers Game 5?
Spread: CLE: (+1.5), DET: (-1.5)
Moneyline: CLE: (+105), DET: (-125)
Run total: 6
Full ALDS Schedule
Game 1: Guardians 7, Tigers 0
Game 2: Guardians 0, Tigers 3
Game 3: Guardians 0, Tigers 3
Game 4: Guardians 5, Tigers 4
Game 5: Tigers at Guardians, Saturday, Oct. 12, 1:08 p.m., TBS, Max
Buy tickets to Guardians-Tigers now
Here’s more information on how to watch today’s Guardians-Tigers playoff game.
What: ALDS Game 5: Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024
Time: 1:08 p.m. Eastern
Where: Progressive Field | Cleveland, Ohio
Channels: TBS and Max
Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $20 off first month), DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial), SlingTV (half off first month)
Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Verizon Fios
Here is a part of a story on the Guardians’ valorous effort in Game 4 from cleveland.com Guardians beat writer Paul Hoynes.
DETROIT — It ain’t over.
The Guardians’ long and surprising season will continue for at least one more game because they spit in the eye of elimination on Thursday night with a 5-4 win over the Tigers in Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park.
David Fry hit a two-run, two-out, pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning to erase a 3-2 Detroit lead. In the ninth, he squeezed home Brayan Rocchio with a perfect bunt for what proved to be the winning run. That was the long and short of it from Fry on Thursday.
Fry, who hit .214 (6 for 28) with one homer and six RBI as a pinch-hitter during the regular season, drove a 2-2 pitch from Beau Brieske over the wall in left field. Fry raised his right hand as he rounded second base, while the Cleveland dugout celebrated.
Brieske relieved with two out in the seventh following a single by hot-hitting Steven Kwan to face Fry. After Kwan moved to second on a wild pitch, Fry ended his six-pitch at-bat against Brieski by hammering a 97.5 mph fastball for his first postseason homer and 15th this year.
Fry’s homer was the was the second pinch-hit postseason homer in franchise history. Hank Majeski hit a pinch-hit homer for the Indians in the 1954 World Series.
“It’s awesome to extend the season,” said Fry. “Our backs were against the wall. I’m excited to get the series back to Cleveland and hopefully get the win there.”
