The Cleveland Guardians ended a record-setting losing streak in elimination games on Thursday night when they defeated the Tigers 5-4 in Game 4 of the ALDS at Comerica Park.

The win was Cleveland's first since the 1997 World Series, when it was eliminated from the postseason, and ended a streak of 11 straight losses in elimination games.

Now the Tigers also face elimination as the series moves to Cleveland, where Game 5 will be decided by the winner. But their record during eliminations – and especially when both teams are facing elimination – is far better.

Detroit has won its last three winner-take-all postseason games and has not lost such a game since the 1972 ALCS.

From 2011 to 2013, the Tigers had three consecutive five-game ALDS series. They won all three of those games and advanced to the ALCS: 3-2 over the Yankees in 2011, 6-0 over the Athletics in 2012 and 3-0 over the Athletics in 2013.

The Tigers' overall record in winner-take-all games is 5-4 in franchise history. It lost Game 5 of the 1972 ALCS and Game 7 of the 1909, 1934 and 1940 World Series. It won Game 7 of the 1945 and 1968 World Series.

Overall, the Tigers are 12-10 in franchise history in elimination games.

And while elimination games may be new to almost every player on the Tigers' roster (with the exception of Matt Vierling), Tigers manager AJ Hinch expects his team to know how to handle them.

“These elimination games are incredible,” Hinch said. “Everything we have been playing for will now take place on Saturday.

“I expect them to come ready to play as well. Why wouldn’t these two teams compete on Saturday with everything they had?”