CLEVELAND — The Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians at their own game to open the 2025 MLB playoffs .

There were runners on the corners with one out in the seventh inning Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Progressive Field.

To try to ensure a run, All-Star Zach McKinstry dropped down a sacrifice bunt on a first-pitch changeup from right-handed reliever Hunter Gaddis to score the go-ahead run.

Left-hander Tarik Skubal dominated, but the Tigers small-balled their way to a 2-1 win over the Guardians in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series in the opening game of the MLB postseason .

Skubal allowed one run on three hits and three walks with 14 strikeouts across 7⅔ innings, throwing 107 pitches. His strikeout total tied a Tigers postseason record , joining Joe Coleman's p

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