Baseball

Tigers Aim to Avoid Sweep Against Guardians as Mize Returns to Mound

by
Carlos Ramirez
June 14, 2026

The Detroit Tigers are in search of redemption as they face the Cleveland Guardians for the final game of their weekend series at Progressive Field. After suffering two straight defeats, including a 3-1 setback on Saturday, the Tigers are desperate to avoid a sweep against their American League Central rivals. In that loss, despite racking up nine hits, the team’s inability to capitalize in crucial moments was evident, as they managed just one hit in five attempts with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.

On Sunday afternoon, the Tigers will turn to right-hander Casey Mize, who is making his return from a second stint on the injured list due to right groin inflammation. Mize, 29, has shown promise in his previous outings this season, boasting an impressive 1.08 ERA and 1.61 FIP over 16 1/3 innings across three starts after his first IL trip. In his last encounter with the Guardians, during the AL Wild Card Game last September, Mize delivered a solid performance, allowing just a solo home run in three one-run innings despite the Tigers ultimately falling 6-1.

On the opposing side, Guardians righty Gavin Williams will take the mound, aiming to secure his team’s second consecutive sweep and extend their winning streak against Detroit to seven games this season. Williams, 26, has faced challenges in his last two outings against the New York Yankees, posting a 5.23 ERA and 7.17 FIP over 10 1/3 innings, which included four walks and 11 strikeouts. His last postseason appearance against the Tigers was a quality start, where he allowed only two unearned runs over six innings, striking out eight batters in a narrow 2-1 loss.

As the Tigers and Guardians gear up for this critical matchup, all eyes will be on Mize and Williams as they battle it out on the mound.

Game Details:

Time (ET): 1:40 p.m.
Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (2-3, 2.27 ERA) vs. RHP Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.32 ERA)

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Carlos Ramirez

Carlos Ramirez is a passionate sports journalist with a focus on soccer and baseball. His love for the game is evident in every article, where he combines detailed analysis with vibrant storytelling. Carlos’s multicultural background allows him to bring a fresh, global perspective to 21Sports.com, making his pieces resonate with a diverse audience. When not covering sports, Carlos enjoys playing in local soccer leagues and exploring new travel destinations.