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    • Detroit Tigers ready for the pressure of winner-take-all ALDS Game 5
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    Detroit Tigers ready for the pressure of winner-take-all ALDS Game 5

    Vaseline Posted on

    CLEVELAND – Despite not being able to close out a series victory in the ALDS in Game 4 at home on Thursday, the Detroit Tigers are feeling relaxed and confident a day before the decisive Game 5 against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday.

    Manager AJ Hinch said the team has remained poised throughout its run to make the playoffs and the first six games of the MLB postseason. He expects the same behavior in front of a hostile road crowd Saturday at 1:08 p.m., with the season on the line.

    “I’m so proud of our team and the way we’re handling this – the loud music and the atmosphere we’re bringing tomorrow,” Hinch said. “It’s a great opportunity to be great. Everyone remembers these matches and it’s a great opportunity. It’s no burden, there’s no stress, no tension on our side. And we’re going to enjoy every moment of this opportunity, right where we are.” are and where we want to be.”

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    The Tigers didn’t have time to dwell on Thursday’s back-and-forth 5-4 loss in Game 4 at Comerica Park, arriving in Cleveland on Friday morning. Left fielder Riley Greene said being able to compartmentalize and move forward in baseball in October is critical, especially as we head into a winner-takes-all game.

    “There’s no room to go down, it’s win or go home at this point,” Greene said. ‘So there is no room to get on yourself and get a slap in the face. You must always strike back immediately.’

    On Thursday night, first baseman Spencer Torkelson said the team didn’t want anything easy, and Game 5 starter Tarik Skubal agreed a day later. He said the team embraced the challenge of having to clinch a second road playoff series.

    “That’s why you play the game,” Skubal said. “For moments like this and also for stages like this in this setting. So I think our boys will respond well.”

    The Tigers have spent most of the playoffs on the road, outside of the two-game homestand in Games 3 and 4 of the ALDS. They went 3-1 in their road games, beating Houston in the AL wild-card round and split Games 1 and 2 of the current series with Cleveland.

    This will be the first decisive winner-takes-all postseason game for most of these Tigers players, but Hinch has experience from his time with the Houston Astros. He guaranteed something “unpredictable” would happen on Saturday as both teams desperately try to move forward.

    “Everyone knows what’s at stake, there are no secrets,” Hinch said. “It’s the best baseball you can get because everyone is all in at every moment, every pitch, every at-bat. Everyone can be the difference in the game.”

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    Rubber match for known enemies

    Game 5 will be the 18th meeting between the Guardians and Tigers in 2024. The Guardians won the season series 7-6 and the two teams are evenly matched in a competitive playoff series.

    There are no more secrets for the Tigers or Guardians to come at each other and it will come down to who can play one more time on Saturday.

    “We know what we’re going to get, they know what they’re going to get,” Greene said. “I mean, we’ve seen each other so many times that we know what’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of who gets that big hit?’

    The Guardians and Tigers have both made heavy use of their bullpens (with Detroit taking it to the extreme), turned to key pinch-hit-at bats that led to game-winning hits in Games 2 and 4, and adjusted starting lineups to trying to cope with starting pitching. .

    “I don’t see why tomorrow would be any different,” Hinch said.

    Skubal ready for big moment

    The Tigers have Skubal sidelined tomorrow and are confident their left-handed ace will return at a big time.

    “He’ll handle it like the professional he is and attack the strike zone and attack the hitters,” Hinch said. “He loves competition. He loves it as much as anyone I’ve ever put on the mound. And no one can get the ball on the mound in this game better than Tarik.”

    Skubal threw 13 scoreless innings in two starts this postseason, leading to the Tigers’ victory in both games. He started Game 2 of the ALDS and pitched seven scoreless innings, ultimately sealing a dramatic ninth-inning victory.

    In addition to his prowess as a pitcher — Skubal won the AL’s pitching Triple Crown this season — Hinch said he boosts the team and instills confidence in the entire roster. That was evident Thursday in the Tigers clubhouse, where every player said they were confident Skubal would pull off a Game 5 victory.

    “I know how important every game is for him and I know what sending him on the mound means for the confidence in our team,” Hinch said. “He handles it like a professional.”

    Skubal said the respect he earns in the clubhouse has not gone unnoticed and is symbolic of the squad’s selfless approach.

    “It means there’s a lot coming from them,” Skubal said. “And I think that’s exactly who we are as of the time. We have to compete every day, we’re young, we want it more than anyone else, so it’ll be a lot of fun.”

    Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press about the city’s professional teams, the state’s two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22and email him at [email protected].

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