The 2025 MLB postseason begins with a pure pitching duel as the Detroit Tigers visit their division rival, the Cleveland Guardians. Some sports books have the total for this game at just six runs. While that's low, there is a good reason with two of the best dealers in baseball about to square off.

Detroit Tigers ace, left-hander, Tarik Skubal carries a 13-6 record and 2.21 ERA into postseason play. In 31 games, he allowed 141 hits, 48 earned runs, 33 walks, with 241 strikeouts in 195.1 innings. In his last two starts against the Guardians, he has allowed just 11 hits, four runs – two earned – and five walks with 17 strikeouts in 12 innings of work. In their Sept. 23 meeting, he took the loss despite allowing just one earned run on four hits in six innings with eight Ks.
The Cleveland Guardians Counter with right-hander Gavin Williams. Williams finished 12-5 on the season with a 3.06 ERA. In Williams' last two outings against the Tigers, he allowed just two runs in 11 combined innings. In 31 starts this season, he allowed 130 hits, 57 earned runs and 152 walks with 333 strikeouts.
These pitchers know these lineups and have mopped them up all season. Expect the starters to get off to a hot start, and runs to come later when the bullpens get called upon.