Trey Sweeney

Harris stated that the team still sees a role for Baez in 2025, "particularly if surgery helps him move more like his younger form." Neither Harris nor manager A.J. Hinch would commit to that role for Baez being a starting role. The Tigers got solid production from rookie Trey Sweeney after Baez went down, so the two would likely battle for the starting shortstop job in spring, but with Colt Keith also locked into the starting second base job, there may not be a starting opportunity for Baez in 2025.

Carpenter came off the bench while clearly still hobbled by his hamstring injury, but he was able to rip a ball into the gap all the way to the wall to off Andrew Walters to score Trey Sweeney from first. Because of the injury Carpenter was only able to get to first base, and he didn't look good doing it. He had another chance to play hero with the bases loaded and Detroit down three, but Carpenter struck out. The 27-year-old was outstanding after injury in 2024, and should be an excellent fantasy option again in 2025 even if he won't provide help in the steals category.

With left-handed Matthew Boyd on the mound, Carpenter may not have started anyway, but the left-handed hitting slugger may not be available off the bench due to his hamstring issue. Justyn-Henry Malloy is the designated hitter and will lead off for the winner-take-all contest. The full lineup: DH Malloy, 3B Matt Vierling, LF Riley Greene, 2B Andy Ibanez, 1B Spencer Torkelson, CF Parker Meadows, C Jake Rogers and SS Trey Sweeney.

It was quite the bounce back performance for Clase, who entered the game with a one-run lead, two men on base and one out in the eighth inning. Clase escaped the jam unscathed by getting Zack McKinstry to ground out and striking out Trey Sweeney. After the Guardians scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth, Clase allowed a run of his own in the bottom of the ninth. Still, he shut the door on the Tigers, earning the five-out save and sending the series back to Cleveland for a decisive Game 5 on Saturday.

Bibee gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three. The Tigers loaded the bases in the second inning with no outs, but Bibee escaped with only one run scoring as Trey Sweeney hit a sacrifice fly and Jake Rogers lined into a double play. Bibee started the fifth inning, allowed a leadoff home run to Zack McKinstry which tied the game 2-2 and was removed immediately. He was quite as sharp as he was in Game 1 of the series, but still gave the Guardians a solid four innings of work.