Canadian rookie Cade Smith earns win as Guardians blank Tigers in ALDS opener

Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer in a five-run outburst before Detroit got an out, and the Cleveland Guardians unleashed their lights-out bullpen to complete a four-hitter in a 7-0 win over the visiting Tigers in an AL Division Series opener on Saturday.

Thomas's shot — on his first career post-season swing — helped the Guardians cool off the Tigers, who stormed into the playoffs with a second-half surge before sweeping AL West champion Houston in the wild-card round.

Tanner Bibee pitched four 2/3 innings before Guardians manager Stephen Vogt swung the door open to baseball's best bullpen to finish off the Tigers. Relievers combined for four 1/3 hitless innings to finish and match the largest shutout victory margin in club post-season history.

Detroit struck 13 out times and didn't get a runner past first in the final four innings.

Cleveland's bullpen was as advertised. Canadian rookie Cade Smith (1-0) replaced Bibee and struck out all four batters. Tim Herrin took care of the seventh, Hunter Gaddis the eighth, and Emmanuel Clase, who led the AL with 47 saves, worked the ninth.

So... How about that bullpen?