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Cleveland Guardians MLB Playoffs ALDS Game 5 Predictions Detroit Tigers
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Cleveland Guardians MLB Playoffs ALDS Game 5 Predictions Detroit Tigers

It all comes down to one game.

The Guardians rallied late Thursday to defeat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, forcing a decisive Game 5 on Saturday night in Cleveland.

The winner will face the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series starting Monday. The loser heads into the offseason wondering, “What if?”

Game 5 is scheduled for first pitch at 1:08 PM at Progressive Field. Can the Guardians find a way to overcome presumptive AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubel, who was perfect for the first 4⅓ innings in the Tigers’ 3-0 win in Game 2? Can David Fry reproduce some of the magic he produced in Game 4 to ensure the Guardians win?

This is what we think will happen:

Guardians-Tigers ALDS Game 5 predictions

Lewis: I can’t believe I’m picking Tarik Skubal, but the days off around Game 5 are crucial for the Guardians. An all-hands-on-deck situation suits the Guardians perfectly. Matthew Boyd gets the ball, but the bullpen can be in position at the first sign of trouble. Skubal is truly special, but the Guardians have shown a rare level of resilience. I’m taking the Guardians to win again with their backs against the wall and advance to the ALCS in a first team to score type game. Guards 1, Tigers 0.

Ulrich: Logic says it’s unlikely the Guardians will win Game 5 because Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will be on the mound. Logic says the Guardians likely blew this series by failing to close it out in Detroit and thereby avoiding another meeting with Skubal, who dominated Game 2 in Cleveland. But the Guardians snapping a 20-inning scoreless streak in Game 4 and forcing Game 5 reminds us that their resilience can be enough to defy logic. Perhaps the Guardians are at their best when their backs are against the wall. Guards 3, Tigers 2