EAST LANSING- The Detroit Tigers have tied the Cleveland Guardians in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at 1-1, looking to keep this series alive.

Game one of the Divisional Round in Cleveland was dominated by the Guardians.

After allowing a massive five-run inning in the bottom of the first with no outs, starting pitcher Tyler Holton was replaced by Reese Olson, who pitched through five innings.

Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee pitched through four-plus innings allowing no runs to score.

The Guardians added two runs in the sixth, putting the score at 7-0. 

After the sixth, the Tigers had no chance of competing with the Guardians bullpen, which is undoubtedly the best in the league. 

The Guardians went on to win game one in convincing fashion, forcing Detroit to rely on their ace for game two, Tarik Skubal.

The AL Cy Young favorite did not disappoint, pitching through seven innings and recording eight strikeouts, holding the Guardians to no runs scored.

The problem was the Tigers offense did nothing for eight innings and left runners on base in scoring position multiple times.

That was until Kerry Carpenter hit a 3-run homer in the ninth against the best reliever in baseball, Emmanuel Clase, putting the Tigers up 3-0.

Carpenter has been known to perform at clutch moments throughout the season, and his bat has been the glue of this team.

However, there are things Detroit needs to improve on before these upcoming games.

The offense has been less than stellar since starting the Divisional round.

Prior to their series with Cleveland, the Tigers were showing great plate discipline, finding ways to get on base, and finding ways to score runs.

They need to get back to that, especially because they won’t have Tarik Skubal on the mound for the next few games.

Scoring needs to happen quick and early for the Tigers so they can build a strong enough lead before facing the Guardians’ bullpen.

Not leaving runners on base is the biggest concern, and there needs to be better situational hitting to bring runners home.

Hopefully, Kerry Carpenter’s massive homer will fire up the offense. Carpenter brings a very special energy to this team, and when he hits, everybody else seems to find ways to hit.

With the series headed back to Detroit, the Tigers need to capitalize on the opportunity at hand and keep their energy going.

A tough road ahead, but don’t count the Tigers out.