Weather issue pushes Tigers-Guardians to earlier Game 5 start

Field Level Media|published: 10/11/2024, 2:12pm EDT

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after pitching the fifth inning of Game 2 of ALDS against Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

The decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and host Cleveland Guardians has been moved to 1:08 p.m. ET on Saturday because of a forecast for inclement weather, Major League Baseball announced Friday.

The game initially was scheduled for 8:08 p.m. It will be televised on TBS and Max.

Cleveland forced a fifth game in the best-of-five series by defeating the host Tigers 5-4 on Thursday.

The Tigers are scheduled to start left-hander Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 regular season). Skubal is 1-0 in two postseason starts -- a 3-0 victory over the Guardians in Game 2 on Monday and a victory over the Houston Astros in the wild-card round -- with a 0.00 ERA with seven hits and one walk allowed and 14 strikeouts in 13 innings.

The Guardians have not announced their starting pitcher.

The winner will meet the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series, beginning Monday at Yankee Stadium.

--Field Level Media