The Detroit Tigers pitching staff makes history in Game 3 against the Cleveland Guardians

The Detroit Tigers moved one step closer to their spot in the American League Championship Series on Wednesday afternoon against the Cleveland Guardians.

Playing in front of a home crowd at Comerica Field, they won 3-0 and took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 4 will be played on Thursday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:08 p.m. ET.

The Game 3 win was further proof that the Tigers continue to defy the odds despite some unorthodox game plans. Manager AJ Hinch pushed all the right buttons with his pitching staff in games not started by Tarik Skubal.

Only openers were used, followed by bulk inning pitchers, and the roles constantly changed as needed.

On Wednesday, Beau Brieske, who recorded the save in Game 2, closed out the fifth game, pitched the entire sixth game and had a single hit in the seventh game. Tyler Holton, who made two starts this postseason, ended the game in the ninth inning.

The pitching staff has written an incredible postseason story. As Sarah Langs of MLB.com reported, the previous low for the number of outs recorded in a shutout by a starting pitcher was five by the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.

On Wednesday, Detroit received just three outs from its starter in the shutout. The Padres now rank third in that statistic as the Los Angeles Dodgers shut them out in Game 3 of their series, with one starter recording just four outs.

Keider Montero, who was the only starter other than Skubal that Hinch used for much of the second half, pitched the first inning against Cleveland before being relieved by Brant Hurter, who pitched 3.1 innings.

A total of six Tigers pitchers were used in Game 3. Sean Guenther got one out in the seventh inning before being replaced by Will Vest, who ended that inning before also throwing a clean eighth.

This group deserves a lot of credit for always being ready regardless of their role. Whether they come into a game and pitch in the third or ninth inning, they bring the same level of competitiveness to the mound.

Hinch also deserves praise for the way he handled such a difficult situation. He seems to make the right decision every time. His team has allowed just 10 runs in five postseason games in consecutive 3-0 shutout victories.