Here are some quick observations from the Tigers' 2-1 win over the Guardians in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Tuesday:

Skubal ties Coleman's strikeout mark

As if you needed any more proof, Tarik Skubal showed just how critical it was that the Tigers clinched before he had to be used in Sunday's regular-season finale. When Skubal is on the mound, the Tigers are a heavy probability to win, and when you win Game 1 of a three-game series, you are a heavy probability to win said series, as the Tigers will attempt to do Wednesday. Those are the perks of having the best pitcher on your roster, and he lived up to back of his baseball card again, with a career-high 14 strikeouts ― tying Joe Coleman for the most in a postseason start by a Tiger

See Full Page