Detroit Tigers pound Guardians, 8-0, on Miguel Cabrera's special day: Game thread recap

Detroit Tigers (76-84) vs. Cleveland Guardians (76-84)

When: Approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Comerica Park in Detroit.

TV: Bally Sports Detroit.

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) in Detroit (Tigers radio affiliates).

Starting pitchers: Tigers RHP Will Vest (2-1, 3.11 ERA) vs. Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie (0-2, 6.17 ERA).

• Box score

Who to follow: Evan Petzold, Free Press Tigers beat writer.

Tigers lineup:

1. CF Parker Meadows

2. 1B Spencer Torkelson

3. DH Miguel Cabrera

4. RF Kerry Carpenter

5. 3B Matt Vierling

6. SS Zach McKinstry

7. 2B Andy Ibanez

8. LF Akil Baddoo

9. C Carson Kelly

Game notes: One. Final. Bullpen. Game.

BEFORE THE GAME: How Tigers honored Miguel Cabrera in joyous pregame ceremony at Comerica Park

If you've been watching the Tigers this year, you know they've often had to resort to starting the game with an "opener" and relying on the bullpen to carry the day. That'll be the case one last time on Saturday, with Eduardo Rodriguez scheduled to start Sunday's Game 162 for Detroit. Will Vest starts for the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Tigers will face Triston McKenzie, who has made just three starts this year, two in September and once on Sept. 29. McKenzie has had two extended stints on the injured list this year, most recently with a right elbow strain.

McKenzie first began pitching for Cleveland in 2020 when he was only 22 years old, and he posted an 8-6 record with a 3.24 ERA in the shortened season. He regressed a bit in Year 2 with a 5-9 record and 4.95 ERA, but improved in his third year, reducing his walks by 14 despite throwing 70⅓ more innings and recording a 2.96 ERA.

SHAWN WINDSOR: Watching Cabrera's slow decline can remind us of our own mortality

Since this is McKenzie's second start since returning from injury and with the offseason just days away, it's safe to assume the Guardians will be careful with McKenzie, so expect to see a lot of relievers between the two squads tied for second place in the American League Central.

Miguel Cabrera is expected to play in both Saturday and Sunday's games — he's batting third Saturday — to give him the proper goodbye. It's his final season before he hangs it up once and for all. The Tigers announced on Friday that Cabrera is not expected to go too far, however, as he will remain with the organization as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations. Cabrera has at times joked about wanting to stay with the organization, despite his retirement, and it appears the Tigers want to keep him around as well.

THE MIGGY DEAL: What happened to the six players traded for Miguel Cabrera by the Tigers?

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers beat Cleveland Guardians, 8-0: Game thread recap