CLEVELAND — A longtime divisional rival coming off Tommy John surgery having to play a crucial role in the Guardians' hopes of advancing in the playoffs might have been one of the most unexpected possible stories heading into October.

But it's also their reality.

Matthew Boyd, as recently as last year, was one of the most recognizable, longest-tenured Detroit Tigers. From 2015 to 2023, Boyd was a regular in the Tigers rotation, a constant Guardians opponent in the AL Central Division season after season.

What followed was an unexpected sequence of events that led Boyd to his long-time divisional rival. Boyd needed Tommy John surgery last year, the Guardians dealt with their own pitching issues with the rotation in 2024 and the less-than-ideal trade market at the deadline prompted Cleveland to be proactive in taking a shot on him.

"We appreciated Matt's track record as a proven, effective major league starter when he's been healthy," said Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "The first thing we had to work through was his timeline for when he'd be healthy."

Now, after making eight starts this season, he's expected to start Game 2 of the ALDS Monday for the Guardians. And if so, he'd be one of the biggest factors in blocking his former team's hopes of making it to the ALCS.

Somewhat suddenly, Boyd transformed from a veteran coming off an injury who the Guardians took a low-risk chance on to a vital piece of their ALDS roster.

"It's a fun rivalry," Boyd said of facing the Tigers in the playoffs. "We face people within the division so frequently, also the proximity between Ohio and Michigan and whatnot. So, man, I'm excited for this series."

Boyd is set to face Tigers ace and AL Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal in Game 2. Beyond Boyd making his ninth start since having the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction in the playoffs being a difficult setting in itself, he's also going against a pitcher who won the triple crown — leading the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA — in 2024.

Boyd had a terrific 2.72 ERA in eight starts with the Guardians, who know they've already received the best-case scenario. But they still need more from him.

"I think it's probably unreasonable to expect someone coming off Tommy John to have to pitch as well as he's pitched in a short time," Antonetti said. "And beyond that, he's an incredible teammate. … He's willing to share those experiences for players that are going through things that he's had to navigate.

"For all of those reasons, he's had a massive impact both on the field when he's pitched and also on the development of other players."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Matthew Boyd set to start for Guardians in Game 2 of ALDS vs Tigers