This Friday, the Detroit Tigers roll into Progressive Field for a monster doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians, kicking off a four-game series that’s got some serious pitching matchups. It’s not just two games, either; the opener is a make-up from a June 14 washout, meaning double the baseball action.
Doubleheader Day 1: Familiar Faces and Fresh Starts
First up, the Tigers are sending right-hander Keider Montero to the mound for the afternoon game. This 25-year-old knows the Guardians well, making it his third outing against them this year. Remember that August game in Detroit? He tossed 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball and grabbed a win. But rewind to May, and he took a loss after giving up three runs in five innings. Montero’s sitting at a 9-8 record with a 3.24 ERA across 28 games this season, so he’s got experience. Facing him is Cleveland’s Logan Allen, a 27-year-old lefty making only his second start of the 2026 campaign. Allen has mostly been grinding it out at Triple-A Columbus, getting recalled in mid-August after a couple of big league appearances back in May and July. He’s got a 0-0 record with a 3.77 ERA in his six games so far. It’s a tale of two different paths to the mound for Game 1, for sure.
Game 2: Rookie Firepower vs. Veteran Control
The nightcap is where things get really interesting for the Tigers. Left-hander Andrew Sears, who just turned 24, is making his *first-ever* MLB start! This is a massive moment for the guy. His bullpen stints have given him “mixed results” so far, with a 0-1 record and a 6.75 ERA in two appearances. Can he find his rhythm as a starter on the biggest stage? On the other side, Cleveland counters with veteran lefty Foster Griffin, who’s already been called up 28 times this summer. This 31-year-old saw the Tigers last month at Progressive Field, going five frames for his 13th win with a 6-4 final, despite giving up three runs (only one earned). Griffin’s been lights out, holding a 15-4 record with a 3.21 ERA across 27 games. It’s a huge test for Sears against a solid veteran.
So, who’s got the edge in this doubleheader? The Tigers are coming in at 64-75, while the Guardians are dead even at 70-70. Every game matters for Cleveland to keep that .500 mark. You can catch the 2:10 p.m. ET opener on Detroit SportsNet and MLB.tv, and then get ready for Game 2 on Apple TV at 7:15 p.m. ET. Two games, big pitching stories, and serious implications for how the rest of this four-game series plays out. Let’s see if the Tigers can pull off some surprises!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bless You Boys.
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