The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers will play Game 5 of the ALDS on Saturday. The teams split the first two games in Cleveland and the second two in Detroit to force the winner-take-all affair in Ohio.

Before Tarik Skubal and Matthew Boyd take the mound, Carlos Carrasco will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Athletic's Zach Meisel reported the news on social media.

“Game 5 ceremonial first pitch: Carlos Carrasco to Shane Bieber.”

Carrasco came back to the Guardians after a short stint with the Mets to pitch this season with Cleveland. He notched only three wins in his 21 starts during his age-37 season. He is beloved by fans because he spent his first 11 seasons with the franchise and was key in their World Series run in 2016.

The catcher will be current ace Shane Bieber, who has missed this entire season with a UCL injury. If the Guardians had Bieber, they may have had an even better regular season. They also would have a bona fide ace to go against Tarik Skubal. They will throw former Tiger Matthew Boyd in Game 5 just like they did in Game 2.

Guardians and Tigers will cap off a great ALDS series

Article Continues Below
Related Cleveland Guardians News
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) stands in the dugout in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
Dodgers’ Dave Roberts reveals what went wrong in 7-4 loss to GuardiansZachary Howell ·
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of the MLB game between Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Jose Ramirez’s offensive dominance gets truth bomb from Guardians All-Star teammateRexwell Villas ·
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber is introduced before the home opening game between the Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.
Guardians’ Shane Bieber set for massive step toward injury returnJason Patt ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park.
Tarik Skubal earns ‘best pitcher’ claim from Guardians’ Stephen VogtScotty White ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize throws against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Tigers get rotation boost with latest roster movesZachary Howell ·
Cleveland Guardians pinch hitter Brayan Rocchio (4) gets out after three unsuccessful bunt attempts against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre.
3 players Cleveland Guardians fans are already fed up with in 2025Zachary Howell ·
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field.
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

After Carrasco and Bieber take center stage, Skubal and Boyd will do the same. Game 2 was a pitcher's duel, ending with a three-run homer by Kerry Carpenter off of Emmanuel Clase. The Tigers won the game without giving up a run, and that will be the recipe again on Saturday. They must hit Boyd better than they did in Game 2 to advance.

For the Guardians, they have to be the first team to figure out Tarik Skubal to advance. The presumptive Cy Young winner dominated in his first two playoff starts. With the team's life on the line, there's no one they'd rather have on the mound. It is also the reason why Detroit's Game 3 win was so important.

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday evening but was moved up to 1:08 p.m. because of inclement weather. As many have pointed out, it also undoes a scheduling conflict with the big Ohio State vs Oregon football game. Ohio sports fans are hoping for a great afternoon between the Buckeyes and the Guardians before that storm rolls in.