Detroit hands rookie Troy Melton the ball for Game 1 of the ALDS against Seattle, opting for a young arm over a rest-weary veteran plan. Melton debuted in July, logged 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 45 2/3 innings, and showed a 96.8 mph four-seam fastball with a heavy fastball usage that ranks high among the Tigers’ staff. His only playoff inning previously ended with four runs, but Detroit plans to ride him with support from a bullpen capable of covering early sections and a lineup that has built flexibility around him.

Melton’s path from fourth-round pick in 2022 to major-league starter in 2024 underscores Detroit’s risk-tavorable scouting, and his mix of power velo with slider and cutter gives him swing-and-miss upside even in a short outing. The Tigers will lean on his heater while monitoring leash length in Seattle’s ballpark, aiming to minimize exposure to the lineup that will clash with him in a do-or-die environment. Fantasy-wise, Melton is a contrarian dart with upside but limited inning expectation in a Game 1 environment.

Guardians pull away with a five-run eighth to beat Detroit 6-1 and even the AL Wild Card series. Detroit’s offense collapses with a franchise postseason-record 15 left on base, going 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, while Javier Báez provides the Tigers’ lone hit in the fourth. Brayan Rocchio belts a go-ahead homer in the eighth as Steven Kwan and Daniel Schneemann add back-to-back doubles and Bo Naylor caps it with a three-run shot. A video-replay two-base play on McKinstry causes a late delay, and Greene watches a pinch-hit move for Jahmai Jones.

Detroit’s pitchers Casey Mize, Tyler Holton and Kyle Finnegan shut Cleveland down for seven innings before the eighth, but Troy Melton and Brant Hurter faltered in relief. The Tigers’ aggressiveness on the bases keeps the game tight early, but Cleveland's bullpen locks it down late. Hinch’s decision to pinch-hit for Riley Greene in the seventh becomes a talking point as the Guardians seize control and shift momentum into the decisive Game 3.

Casey Mize finally seizes a postseason moment for Detroit, riding a velocity surge to a pivotal start. He’s leaned on a refined two-pitch mix—slurve and harder slider—plus a sharper splitter that’s finally drawing whiffs. His last five outings have yielded a 28.1% K rate with a dream-like 3.5% walk rate in September, signaling a breakout path as the Tigers chase the ALDS.

The matchup against Cleveland centers on Mize’s command and the Tigers’ run support. If he can command the zone and navigate the Guardians’ lineup with his fastball into early-count pressure, Detroit’s rotation looks dangerous in a short series. Offense and bullpen restraint will decide this mini-series.

Casey Mize’s postseason moment for Detroit caps a full-circle comeback after last year’s ALDS roster snub. Offseason refinements to the fastball, splitter and slider boosted control and strikeouts, helping him post a 3.87 ERA with 139 K in 149 IP and earn an All-Star nod in 2025. Teammate Tarik Skubal lauds the growth, and Mize’s Fenway outing hints at his readiness for the spotlight as he prepares for Game 2 vs Cleveland.

In the same arc, Detroit’s pitching staff emphasizes trust and development, with Hinch and Fetter guiding the ascent from the bullpen memory to postseason pressure. The team’s confidence in Mize, plus the path from the bullpen moment to a pivotal wild-card start, shapes Detroit’s fantasy upside as the Tigers chase more wins and more playoff appearances.