The Guardians and Tigers are certainly familiar with one another.
Last October, the two AL Central foes clashed in a dramatic ALDS, won by Cleveland in a decisive fifth game. They've also played six times in the last two weeks — with the Guardians taking five of those head-to-head meetings to, rather improbably, seize control of the division.
They'll write another chapter in their blossoming rivalry this week as they battle in the AL Wild Card Series, beginning Tuesday.
Cleveland trailed Detroit by as many as 15 1/2 games for first place in the AL Central. But fueled by a relentless "Guards Ball" approach, stalwart starting pitching, and a little bit of magic, the Guardians pulled off the improbable heist. Negative run differential and all, they waltz into the postseason with more momentum than any team.
The Tigers, the best team in the majors for the better part of the 2025 season, wilted down the stretch — a role reversal after their own improbable late-season push a year ago. But they snuck into the six-team AL field and, make no mistake, this is still a dangerous team, especially with Tarik Skubal opening a best-of-three series on the mound.
The Sporting News has you covered with everything that you need to know about watching the Wild Card Series between the Guardians and Tigers.
Guardians vs. Tigers schedule
The best-of-three series between the Guardians and Tigers will be played at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tues., Sept. 30 | Game 1: Guardians vs. Tigers | 1:08 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Wed., Oct. 1 | Game 2: Guardians vs. Tigers | 1:08 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Thurs., Oct. 2 | Game 3: Guardians vs. Tigers* | 1:08 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
*If necessary
How to watch Guardians vs. Tigers: TV channel, live stream
Every game of the Guardians vs. Tigers series will air nationally on ESPN, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Frazier (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (reporter) serving as the broadcast crew for the series.
Viewers can stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial, or with the brand new ESPN app.
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Guardians vs. Tigers radio station
- Radio channel: SiriusXM
Listen to every game of Guardians vs. Tigers, as well as the 2025 postseason, live with SiriusXM.
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