



DETROIT >> The Cleveland Guardians knew what was coming in Game 3, and it didn’t matter.
The pitching plans for the Detroit Tigers are working quite well at the moment.
Detroit sent six pitchers to the mound while shutting out Cleveland for the second straight game, winning 3-0 Wednesday to take a 2-1 lead in their AL Division Series.
“We were prepared for all of it,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We took our shots when we had the opportunity to put some runs up, placed some bets and then just didn’t come through.”
Detroit will have a chance to close out the series tonight at home. The Tigers are looking to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2013.
Detroit opened with Keider Montero, and the right-hander retired the free-swinging Guardians in order in the first inning on five strikes and one ball.
“We know he’s aggressive in the zone early,” Vogt said. “I’ll never question what our guys do. It’s their at-bat. We don’t tell people how to work an at-bat. They’re individuals. They’re big leaguers.”
Montero’s six pitches were the fewest by a starting pitcher in the playoffs since Wade Miley had a five-pitch outing, playing for Milwaukee against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 National League Championship Series.
While Miley was pulled after a walk, Hinch just continued his successful approach of relying on his bullpen.
“Absolutely not scripted because there’s just so much stuff that goes on,” he said.
Hinch inserted rookie left-hander Brant Hurter for a particularly left-handed portion of the lineup in the second. Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas opened the inning with singles and Andrés Giménez flied out to left.
Vogt then used lefty-batting Jhonkensy Noel to hit for Will Brennan, who bats from the right side. Noel flied out to center, advancing Naylor to third, but Bo Naylor lined to right for the final out of the inning.
The Guardians haven’t scored since the sixth inning of their 7-0 win in Game 1 against Detroit.