TOLEDO, Ohio — It's a big day in Detroit as the Guardians and Tigers prepare to face off in game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS).
It's the middle of playoff baseball in October and the ALDS series between the Tigers and Guardians is tied at 1-to-1. Excitement is building in Detroit as the city gets ready to host its first playoff baseball game in a decade.
Business owners in Toledo said the games have been great for the city's economy as fans buy up merchandise and fill up the sports bars.
"Since the series started we've been getting a lot busier. We have guys that come in at the start and pretty much stay till the end," said Ron Hashim, Manager of Papa Joe's and JoJo's Pizza.
A lot of them drink, they eat a lot of appetizers. All of these tables here in the center are completely filled. We have games on both sides, so they don't have to all look at one side. The bar is completely packed, and we usually get people in the pool room with the TV out there, so they can watch it in the pool room while playing pool, too."
A spokesman for Papa Joe's and JoJo's Pizza on Monroe Street said their pizzeria and sports bar has been at capacity for every game. That's up to 250 people. They are expecting the same crowds for game three of the series.
JoJo's employees told WTOL 11 they have worked to accommodate the fans with discounts on their pizza. Weekly specials are offered and all 12 of their TV's stay on for the baseball fans until 10 p.m.
The employees said they love the crowds and appreciate the business.
"You know, I would say come earlier so that people can have a seat because once we get busy, sometimes we'll be on a waiting list for people to get in because it's half price pizza, then you have the game on top of it. So, it's just really going to make for a really busy day," said Hashim.
Toledo has many sports bars and sports apparel stores, and many agree that fans are more excited. Downtown bars, apparel stores in Franklin Park Mall and JoJo's all said it's great for them and great for Toledo's economy.