CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The first thing Tarik Skubal did when he heard that Matthew Boyd had signed with the Guardians at the end of June was send him a text message. The message said, “Traitor’ because Boyd had signed with another AL Central team.

Detroit Tigers got cold dose of reality from Cleveland Guardians on Saturday at Progressive Field, taking first punch of this ALDS square in the face.

Baseball has a way. This game can loosen ends and tie them back together. It can create storylines, dismantle them, and then bring a plot full circle. The sport unites and divides and connects again.