#jose-ramirez

#jose-ramirez

CLEVELAND -- Tarik Skubal tied a franchise postseason record with 14 strikeouts and the Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Tuesday in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series. Will Vest recorded the final four outs for Detroit, surviving a tense ninth inning after Cleveland star Jose Ramirez got hung up between third base and home for the second out.

Angels fans will be happy to have the three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star back for his value at the plate. Trout's .179/.264/.462 slash (95 wRC+) this year would be by far the worst season of his career, but his nine home runs in just 121 plate appearances were very impressive.

Chris Bassitt wasn't at his best but pitched effectively enough, while the bullpen and offense secured the win, leading the team back to a .500 record.