When the Detroit Tigers made it past the Astros, you knew the American League Divisional Series were going to be interesting. The Yankees taking on the Kansas City Royals while the Tigers going up against the Cleveland Guardians. Each series had its story lines going in and each series lived up to the excitement leading up. So how did it end?
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Game 1
This series was the closest series of the post season so far. Each game being decided by two or less runs. Coming into this series, the Yankees were the favorites with all their big names on their roster. Game 1 though, the Yankees stars really had to buy into the team win style. With five lead changes over the course of the game, this one was a grind.
The Royals would strike first with a run in the 2nd inning, but the Yankees would respond with two runs in the 3rd. The Royals wanted the lead back, and with a two-run homer from MJ Melendez would give them the lead. In the 5th, the Yankees would advance runners and grind out two runs to make it 4-3 heading into the 6th. The teams would trade runs and the teams would come out tied at 5. Jazz Chisholm would score in the 7th and the Yankees would hold on for the win in Game 1.
Yankees Win 6-5 | Yankees Lead Series 1-0
Game 2
In the next game, it was more of the type of game the Royals wanted to play. Heading into the 4th inning down 1-0, the Royals would come alive. Salvador Perez would get the party started with a solo homer. Then Gurriel, Pham, and Hampson would score to put the Royals up 4-1. While they were not able to put up more runs, all that matters is that they only gave up one for the rest of the game. With the series tied heading back to Kansas, the Royals would be feeling pretty good.
Royals Win 4-2 | Series Tied 1-1
Game 3
Game 3 would be the closest game of the series. With most of the scoring happening in the 4th and 5th inning which is where the pitching battle between Seth Lugo and Clarke Schmidt would end. Each giving up two runs as they hand the ball off to the bullpen. The game would stay scoreless until Giancarlo Stanton would hammer one out of the park and put the Yankees up by one in the top of the 8th. While the Royals would have a man in scoring position in the 9th, they would leave him stranded and the Yankees would take the series lead.
Yankees Win 3-2 | Yankees Lead Series 2-1
Game 4
In Game 4, the Royals would be at home in their attempt to extended their season. The Yankees would try to silence the Royals crowd early with scoring a run in the first inning. New York would add two more in the 5th and 6th to go up 3-0. In the bottom of the 6th, the Royals star Bobby Witt Jr would be driven home, but that is where the comeback would fall short. In the final inning, the Royals would fail to get a hit and New York would be the team moving on to the ALCS.
Yankees Win 3-1 | Yankees Win Series 3-1
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Game 1
When it comes to the Divisional Series, the question of rust is always one that is talked about. One team just had a warm up in the Wild Card round, while the other had a week off. The Guardians put that topic to bed in the first inning of Game 1. They put up 5 runs, and Tyler Holton did not get an out in the inning as he was yanked for Reese Olson.
Olson did get out of the inning with only giving up one of the five runs. He would continue to pitch five innings and did stop the bleeding. Cleveland would add two more in the 6th, but that would be it for the scoring. The Tigers would like to forget this game.
Guardians Win 7-0 | Guardians Lead Series 1-0
Game 2
Detroit would forget Game 1 as they would start their ace in Tarik Skubal, and he would go seven innings deep. Conceding three hits and throwing eight strikeouts. On the other side, the Guardians would have Boyd go four and two thirds innings, and the bullpen would continue the pitching duel that was Game 2. In the 9th, Cleveland had their star closer Clease on the mound to ensure it would go to extra innings. Kerry Carpenter would step to the plate. The count was 2-2 with two outs with men on first and third. Carpenter did the unthinkable. A three run home run to put the Tigers up three. Game 2 goes to Detroit.
Tigers Win 3-0 | Series Tied 1-1
Game 3
Game 3 would be a battle of the pitching staffs. The Tigers would use six pitchers and the Guardians would use seven. This game was a grind. Detroit would get on the board early with Parker Meadows being driven home in the first inning. They would add a run in the 3rd and 6th to go up 3-0 and that would be enough to take Game 3. After getting blown out in Game 1, the Tigers would shut out Cleveland in Game 2 and 3.
Tigers Win 3-0 | Tigers Lead Series 2-1
Game 4
Game 4 would have Cleveland on the ropes and they would not disappoint anyone. With Olson and Bibee on the mound, it was another pitching duel. By the time both pitchers were out of the game, it was tied at two. This is where the chaos would start.
Carpenter would make it home to grab the lead for the Tigers. David Fry would return fire with a two-run homer to steal the lead for the Guardians in the 7th inning. Cleveland would add a run in the top of the 9th off of an amazing head first slide by Bryan Rocchio. The Tigers would get a run in the bottom, but would they would not be able to comeback.
Guardians Win 5-4 | Series Tied 1-1
Game 5
The all important Game 5. All the games before do not matter when it comes down to a winner takes all Game 5. Tarik Skubal would be up for the Tigers while the Guardians would be relying on a full pitching staff effort. It would be a nail biter game heading into the 5th inning. In the top of the inning, Carpenter would single and bring home Sweeney to be the first on the board. The Guardians would answer in a way that would put this game out of reach for the Tigers.
With the bases loaded, Jose Ramirez was hit by a pitch and that would tie the game. Next up is Lane Thomas that would hit a grand slam to put Cleveland up 5-1. While Detroit would make it interesting with two runs in the 6th and 7th, the Guardians would pull away with two of their own and would be the team that would move on to face the Yankees in the ALCS.
Guardians Win 7-3 | Guardians Win Series 3-2
The Tigers and Royals put up a fight against two teams that were not only the best in the American League, but tops in the MLB. They are both teams that have a bright future, and got great playoff experience for their youngsters. Expect Detroit and Kansas City to bounce back next season, and I would not be surprised to see them back in the ALDS.
In the ALCS, the Guardians and Yankees will face off in the postseason for the seventh time in the teams history. New Yorks star studded lineup will have their hands full with a team in Cleveland that is so versatile.
Stay tuned to Area 51 for everything MLB playoffs as we enter the Conference Series.
