CLEVELAND -- When the Detroit Tigers lost to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series on Wednesday afternoon, they didn’t know if Thursday’s finale would begin at 1:08, 3:08, or 7:08 p.m.

They may have even gone to bed still unsure if first pitch would be at 1:08 or 3:08.

Finally, when the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Cincinnati Reds at 12:09 a.m. Eastern time, it became official: The Tigers and Guardians will play their winner-take-all Game 3 at 3:08 p.m. at Progressive Field.

The good news for both teams? A couple of extra hours of rest.

The bad news? The notorious Progressive Field shadows, which were mainly a late-game factor in Games 1 and 2, will now be present from the very first pitch.

The challenge is most severe when the pitcher is in the sun and the

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