Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler knew two hours before the first pitch in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Cleveland on Tuesday that Tarik Skubal was going to be more dominant than usual.

“As soon as he walked through the door I saw the intensity,” Dingler said. “It was fun to be a part of.”

After being a part of two frustrating losses to the Guardians the past two weeks as the Tigers spiraled through a historic collapse that cost them the AL Central title, Skubal was determined that Detroit would seize the early momentum in the best-of-three playoff series.

The left-hander tied Detroit’s postseason record with 14 strikeouts in 7 2/3 overpowering innings as the Tigers beat the Guardians 2-1 .

“It means a lot to take the ball Game 1. And it doesn’t really matter how we g

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