Will the Tigers move on? It could come down to these 3 players

Will the Tigers move on? It could come down to these 3 players

9:10 PM UTC

CLEVELAND -- The big American League Central matchup will come down to the wire.

The AL Division Series between the Tigers and Guardians returns to Cleveland for a decisive Game 5 on Saturday afternoon as the two battle it out for a chance to face the Yankees in the ALCS. Detroit’s Cinderella story has continued after taking Games 2 and 3, but after a back-and-forth Game 4, the two teams will return to Progressive Field to end it.

“We'll be ready,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “These elimination games are incredible. Everything that we've been playing for up to this point is now going to be on Saturday. Our guys will be able to reset and get the opportunity to do it on [the Guardians'] turf. I expect them to show up ready to play, too.

"Why wouldn't these two teams come with everything they got on Saturday?”

So who are the three key players that the Tigers need for a victory?

LHP

It almost goes without saying, but the Tigers need their ace to be an ace. Skubal dominated the Guardians in Game 2, shoving seven scoreless innings as Detroit beat Cleveland, 3-0. In his first two career postseason starts, Skubal has now logged 13 scoreless innings, allowing just seven hits and one walk to 14 strikeouts against the Astros and Guardians

The 27-year-old Skubal is the heavy favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award this season after posting a 2.39 ERA in 192 innings and winning the league's pitching Triple Crown. The Tigers will need him at his best to give them a chance to advance to the ALCS.

“It's always comforting to have Tarik Skubal on the mound,” Hinch said. “So we'll be there on Saturday, and Tarik is going to be the starting pitcher.”

OF

The Tigers have gotten contributions from unforeseen places for much of the postseason, including names like Wenceel Pérez, Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibáñez. Detroit has needed someone to step up in each of the club’s victories.

Greene hasn’t had a signature moment just yet, but he’s been a solid part of the middle of the lineup. In the ALDS, Greene has gone 4-for-13 with two walks. That being said, Greene had an .827 OPS in the regular season compared to a .619 OPS in the postseason. One big swing from the former first-rounder could be game-changing.

“It's a team game,” Greene said. “I trust in the guys in that lineup, on the bench. I trust in this whole team. I would say it's part of it when a lefty comes in or whatever and I just gotta try to do my best, get to the next guy, have a good at-bat for that next guy so he sees a bunch of pitches and really just grind in the box for them.”

OF

Both the Tigers and Guardians love to play the matchup game on both sides of the field. Malloy could be an X-factor in that aspect for Game 5, especially with his .893 OPS against left-handed pitching this season.

Cleveland lefty Matthew Boyd started Game 2 and will be on regular rest to go again. Malloy led off for Detroit in Game 2 going 2-for-3 in a big win. He has gone 5-for-7 this postseason, including a pinch-hit double off closer Emmanuel Clase in the ninth inning of Game 4.

“He's a real threat against left-handed pitching,” Hinch said. “He's a threat against right-handed pitching, too. But right now, he's doing better against lefties. He knows why he's on this roster. He knows what his role is. He's usually one step ahead in preparing for that.

"So, I love getting him up to bat and sticking with him through his growth, because coming off the last series [vs. the Astros], he played an instrumental role against their left-handed pitching and I'm hoping for the same this series.”