Tigers-Guardians Game 3: Start Time, TV Channel, Live Stream

The stage is set for a dramatic postseason showdown as the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians meet in a decisive Game 3 of the wild-card series on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Both teams have slogged through highs and lows this season, and now it all comes down to a tense, winner-takes-all contest at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Game Time, Venue, and Broadcast Details

This crucial matchup gets underway at 3:08 p.m. ET. The start time shifted back two hours after the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the week.

Fans across the country can tune in live on ABC. The broadcast promises to spotlight two clubs with a recent history of postseason drama.

Progressive Field Hosts Another October Classic

Progressive Field just feels right for the Tigers and Guardians’ rivalry. The stadium’s playoff atmosphere is always electric—expect plenty of nerves and noise as the series reaches its peak.

Detroit’s Roller-Coaster September

The Tigers’ journey to Game 3? Anything but smooth. They held a big lead in the AL Central late in the season, but September brought a collapse, and they ended up with the worst record in the league over that stretch.

Cleveland caught fire just as Detroit faltered, closing the gap and setting up this wild-card clash.

Strong Game 1 Start, Painful Game 2 Setback

Detroit grabbed a narrow 2-1 victory in Game 1, giving fans hope they could wrap up the series quickly. But Game 2 flipped the script.

Cleveland exploded for a five-run eighth inning and walked away with a commanding 6-1 win to even things up. That outburst has the Guardians carrying a wave of momentum into Thursday’s finale.

Pitching Matchup in the Spotlight

In a single-elimination game, the pitchers often steal the show. Detroit hands the ball to veteran righty Jack Flaherty, who helped the Dodgers during their World Series run last year.

Flaherty’s known for keeping his cool when the pressure’s on. He’ll need all of that to quiet Cleveland’s bats and keep Detroit’s postseason hopes alive.

Cecconi Ready for the Challenge

Slade Cecconi, a right-hander now in his third MLB season, gets the nod for Cleveland. He used to pitch for the Diamondbacks.

Cecconi’s built a rep as a durable starter who likes to attack hitters early. After Cleveland’s offense woke up in Game 2, his early innings could set the tone for the Guardians.

Recent Playoff History Between the Two Clubs

These teams know this territory. They battled last year in the AL Division Series, a five-game grind that Cleveland won.

That recent history just adds to the tension and intensity for Thursday’s finale.

What’s at Stake

The winner moves on to the American League Division Series and keeps that postseason dream going. The loser? Well, the offseason starts early, and so do the questions about what might’ve been.

Keys to Victory

To win, both clubs need to focus on execution and discipline. Seizing momentum could change everything.

• Detroit’s offensive spark: The Tigers have to find ways to score against Cecconi, especially in the early innings.
• Cleveland’s bullpen depth: If Cecconi gives them five strong innings or more, the Guardians’ relievers can take over and lock things down.
• Defensive sharpness: Avoiding errors will matter a lot in a series this close.
• Resilience under pressure: The team that handles nerves better probably grabs the edge.

Flaherty brings playoff experience, while Cecconi looks hungry for his moment. Both pitchers face huge expectations tonight.

For fans in Detroit, Cleveland, and honestly everywhere, Thursday’s matchup isn’t just another game. It’s a shot to see something that could define a franchise for years.

Who’s going to survive and move on? We’ll know when the first pitch flies at 3:08 p.m. ET.

 
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