Javier

Baez

Riley Greene and Gleyber Torres also went deep for the Tigers. Báez pulled a homer just foul prior his RBI single in the fifth. He then came back with a two-run blast the following inning, as the Tigers overcame a 3-0 deficit by scoring seven runs between the fifth and sixth. The homer was Báez’s first in the postseason since a two-homer NLCS Game 4 in 2017. He had been limited to one RBI through six games this October. With the Tigers’ win, the series will return to Seattle for a decisive Game 5 on Friday. Tarik Skubal will start with the Tigers, while the Mariners could turn to either George Kirby or Luis Castillo.

After stunning the Mariners in Game 1 in Seattle on Saturday night, Tigers’ skipper A.J. Hinch didn’t feel the need to make any changes to his lineup behind Tarik Skubal in Game 2. Keith has been utilized as the designated hitter in each of the first two games instead of playing in the infield as they’re trying to be cautious with him while returning from the rib injury. Once again, here’s how they’ll lineup against Mariners’ right-hander Luis Castillo on Sunday: Gleyber Torres (2B), Kerry Carpenter (RF), Riley Greene (LF), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Colt Keith (DH), Dillon Dingler (C), Zach McKinstry (3B), Javier Baez (SS) and Parker Meadows (CF).

There are no real surprises here. The Tigers are using the same lineup on Tuesday that they used against most right-handed pitching in the final weeks of the season. Javier Baez will play shortstop and bat ninth, which means Trey Sweeney will be on the bench. Andy Ibanez figures to come in for McKinstry if the Guardians bring in a left-handed reliever.

Báez clubbed a go-ahead three-run homer off of Jose De Leon in the top half of the fourth inning, giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately, that lead would be wiped out in the following half inning and the Tigers wouldn’t score again in the ballgame. He struck out in each of his other three plate appearances. The 32-year-old finishes the 2025 season hitting .257/.282/.398 with 12 homers, 57 RBI and five stolen bases in 436 plate appearances.

The 32-year-old was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup and sat out on Wednesday as well due to stiffness in his neck. He’ll start at shortstop and bat ninth against Parker Messick and the Guardians on Thursday as the Tigers attempt to snap an eight-game losing streak.

Báez was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with stiffness in his neck, and the 32-year-old will miss at least one more game with the ailment. Trey Sweeney gets another start at shortstop and will hit ninth in Báez’s absence.

It’s a tough break for Detroit to lose Báez at the outset of a critical three-game series against the Guardians which is likely to determine the winner of the AL Central division crown. The 32-year-old is presumably day-to-day for now. It’ll be Trey Sweeney taking over at shortstop.

Báez is back at shortstop and batting ninth following a two-game absence after fouling a ball off his forehead during last Friday’s game, which resulted in some swelling around his left eye.

Báez is available off the bench, but remains out of the lineup after fouling a ball off his forehead during Friday’s game, which resulted in some swelling around his left eye. He’s day-to-day for now and should return to Detroit’s lineup at some point in their upcoming series against the Guardians. It’ll be Zach McKinstry making another start at shortstop in his absence.

Báez is dealing with some swelling around his left eye and will continue undergoing treatment this weekend after fouling a ball off his face during Friday’s game. He told reporters he could be available off the bench in an emergency. It’ll be Zach McKinstry filling in at shortstop in his absence.