Here's why Tigers' disastrous ALDS start vs Guardians barely matters

For as hot as the Detroit Tigers were heading into the ALDS, most fans would have to admit taking Game 1 on the road against the Cleveland Guardians was wishful thinking. This is the second-best team in the American League with their No. 1 starter on the mound.

Meanwhile, the Tigers were opening this game with Tyler Holton and hoping for the best. Unfortunately, they got the worst. He didn't record an out before manager AJ Hinch went to the bullpen. When all was said and done, Holton allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk and Reese Olson followed him with five innings of one-run ball. But the damage was done.

It was 5-0 after the first inning, and the pesky Tigers offense isn't exactly built to come back from such an early deficit in a high-stress environment. It's OK, though. This was bound to happen at some point.

The only aspect of a 7-0 shutout defeat that could be worrisome is the Tigers losing their mojo. But most fans wouldn't bet on that happening because of the manner in which they dug themselves out from the depths starting in mid-August.

Some moments were ugly, too. Detroit committed a costly error and only logged four hits and two walks all day while striking out 13 times.

Tigers blowout ALDS Game 1 loss doesn't matter because ... Tarik Skubal

We know the Tigers to have endless fight in them, so expect them back in full force for Game 2 on Monday with ... oh yeah ... Tarik Skubal on the mound. And what do you know?! He can pitch Game 2 and Game 5 on full rest. Seems like this was the Tigers' plan all along!

Had Detroit gotten blown out with Skubal on the mound Saturday, that probably would've been time to smash the panic button. But Hinch is clearly playing chess. For as confident he is in his squad, there's no way he was banking on capturing a road bullpen game after emptying the pitching staff tank in Houston for Game 2 on Wednesday. Don't forget, four relievers followed Skubal in their Game 1 victory, too., when things got a bit out of hand.

It was always "win the Skubal starts" and be gritty for the other matchups in which the coaching staff determined the best possible pitching configuration. Fans can't ask for all the right buttons to be pressed each time when the Tigers are very much dealing with an imperfect situation.

Skubal takes the ball at 4:08 p.m. ET on Monday for Game 2 against the Guards. Call us if that one goes wrong. But Tigers fans have no reason to stress after Saturday's dud.