We quickly look ahead to the next Detroit Tigers playoff game, and again, we're stumped as to who will be their starting pitcher.

The Tigers will play at home Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS vs. the Cleveland Guardians for the time since Oct. 5, 2014, a 2-1 loss in Game 3 to the Baltimore Orioles to end their season in the ALDS. The series is tied after Kerry Carpenter's three-run home run gave the Tigers a 3-0 victory Monday in Cleveland.

The Tigers have just one pitcher in their rotation they fully trust in Tarik Skubal, who dominated Monday in Game 2. They have been using an opener and bulk reliever strategy since the end of July, when they traded No. 2 starter Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Whoever the Tigers start will be opposed by Guardians right-handed veteran Alex Cobb.

The Tigers have used "bully in the strike zone" lefty Tyler Holton as The Opener in the two non-Skubal starts (Game 2 vs. Houston, Game 1 vs. Cleveland). That didn't work Saturday afternoon, when all four Guardians batters reached base vs. the 28-year-old (three hits, one walk).

But the Tigers likely won't go with righty Beau Brieske, a favorite during the season; he appears to be the closer du jour after finishing off Monday's victory in Cleveland and earning the save in both wins against the Astros in the wild-card series. The 26-year-old has pitched 3⅓ hitless innings, walking two and striking out three.

Likewise, right-hander Reese Olson is likely unavailable until Thursday's Game 4, after throwing five innings in Saturday's loss, with his only mistake a hanging slider to Lane Thomas for a three-run homer.

GAME 2 STARTER: Tarik Skubal turning in one of Detroit Tigers' most dominant postseasons ever

For the Guardians, Cobb's blister has healed enough to start. The 6-foot-3 right-hander went 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA in just three starts this season, but has pitched two simulated games in the past few weeks and is ready to go. Cobb, 37, was an All-Star for the San Francisco Giants last season (7-7, 3.87 ERA).

Cobb (79-76, 3.84 career ERA) pitched Aug. 9, Aug. 14 and Sept. 1, throwing 16⅓ innings total. In his last start, he pitched six innings of two-hit ball against Pittsburgh, allowing one unearned run and striking out six with no walks.

Cobb pitched in the playoffs in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, making two starts (1-0, 1.54 ERA) over 11⅔ innings.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers vs Guardians starting pitchers Game 3 of ALDS