Entering the 2024 Division Series, best-of-five postseason series that have been tied 1-1 have seen the team winning Game 3 go on to take the series 45 of 62 times (73%). Under the current 2-2-1 format, teams leading 2-1 and playing Game 4 at home had taken the series 25 of 31 times (81%). Of those 25 series victories, 18 came at home in Game 4.

Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt loaded his lineup with left-handed hitters to counter the right-handed Montero, who was a starter for most of the summer but moved into a bulk pitching role in September before being left off the roster altogether for the Tigers' AL Wild Card Series win in Houston. Once Hunter entered, so did the right-handed threats, including Jhonkensy Noel to pinch-hit before Will Brennan could get a plate appearance, and David Fry for Kyle Manzardo.