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Detroit Tigers Wild Card Game 2 Recap: Tigers Miss Chances and the Guardians Take Advantage

The Detroit Tigers lost Game 2 of the Wild Card series 6-1 to the Cleveland Guardians. Until the 8th inning, the game was tied 1-1. The blowout loss is a fitting match for the Tigers' performance in the second half of the season, exemplifying their inability to get the big hit. The Tigers had many chances to pull ahead in this game before the Guardians ' five-run, two-homer, two-double inning. A.J. Hinch had done an excellent job lining up his bullpen until then as well. However, he was unable to manage the Tigers to a win. Unlike yesterday, the Tigers didn't have Tarik Skubal to rely on to win this game. Let's break down the loss by the numbers.



Detroit Tigers Wild Card Game 2: Scoring Opportunities

The Tigers left 15 runners on base, going 1-15 with runners in scoring position. They struck out 11 times and had seven hits. This performance brings their series total up to 2-23 RISP, 21 LOB, and 24 Ks. Some will point to Zach McKinstry getting called out trying to go from first to third in the fourth inning; however, they should point to the Tigers' inability to hit in the clutch.


Their first scoring chance came in the first inning, with two runners on and no outs. Tanner Bibee (4.2 innings and six strikeouts) managed to strike out Kerry Carpenter, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene in order. When your team's three "biggest" hitters fail to capitalize in that situation, it's typically a long day for that baseball team. The truly unfortunate part of the Guardians throwing McKinstry out is that it ended the inning and prevented the Tigers from taking a 2-1 lead. Still, the inability to score runs with so many opportunities felt like daring destiny.


In the 7th inning, Hinch chose to pinch-hit Jahmai Jones for Greene. It was a left-handed pitcher, Tim Herrin, but the lack of confidence in the Tigers' "franchise player" is alarming. Jones was the Tigers' hottest hitter in the last six games of the season, swinging .467 with a 1.263 OPS. He struck out. Wenceel Perez (0-5) struck out as well, ending the inning.


Detroit Tigers Wild Card Game 2: 8th-inning Collapse

The 8th inning felt a lot like Cleveland's August-September comeback to win the division. It required both a strong performance from the Guardians (doubles from Steven Kwan and Daniel Schneemann and home runs from Bryan Rochio and Bo Naylor) alongside a collapse from the Tigers (Troy Melton gave up four earned runs and got one out). Hinch arguably shouldn't have put him in that situation. He didn't look ready for it. Brant Hurter came in and gave up the three-run homer.



The Tigers' pitching barely gave the Guardians any chances throughout the game. When the chances came, they took advantage. The Guardians went 2-3 with RISP. In a game like this one, it was enough.


Detroit Tigers Wild Card Game 2 Verdict

This series was always going to be a low-scoring affair. The Tigers missed out on a chance to advance to the ALDS for the second year in a row. Casey Mize pitched three innings of one-hit, one-run ball. Tyler Holton went 2.1 innings, allowing one hit and no runs. Kyle Finnegan also threw 1.2 innings of hitless ball. Javier Baez went 2-4 with an RBI, improving to 4-7 in the series. Aside from him, no one else has looked alive in the series. Greene has two doubles, and Carpenter has four hits.



The Tigers played well enough to win a seven-and-a-half-inning game. With their inability to come up in the clutch, they didn't deserve to win. They'll need to pull themselves together for a win-or-go-home Game 3 tomorrow. Jack Flaherty will start for the Tigers, and Slade Cecconi will start for the Guardians. Cade Smith has thrown a lot of pitches for the Guardians through Games 1 and 2. Other than that, the Guardians' bullpen is in good shape, thanks to a strong Game 1 start from Gavin Williams.


(All stats provided by Baseball Reference, StatMuse, and MLB.com)


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