The Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians meet Monday in MLB action from Progressive Field. Here’s a Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
Detroit took on the New York Yankees over the weekend in their latest series. The Tigers took a couple of tough losses in the first two games, falling 2-1 Friday and 5-3 on Saturday. In the finale Detroit took a 5-2 loss in a rain-shortened game to finish off the sweep. Tarik Skubal put up 6.0 innings in the start with six hits, no walks, 12 Ks and two earned runs.
For the starter gig on Monday the Tigers will send out Kenta Maeda. This year Maeda is 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six starts. He has 22 Ks in 28.2 innings. Maeda has a 66-50 career record with a 3.95 ERA in 196 games (161 starts). The Tigers will meet the Astros and Marlins after this series.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
Over on the Guardians’ side, they’re coming off a weekend series versus the Angels. Cleveland took a 6-0 shutout loss in the Friday opener, then bounced back for a 7-1 game two win. In the Sunday rubber match the Guardians scored twice in both the sixth and eight innings in a 4-1 win. Starter Carlos Carrasco lasted 6.0 innings with one earned run on six hits and two walks.
It’ll be Triston McKenzie in the starting pitcher role for the Guardians on Monday. This year McKenzie has a 2-2 record with a 4.34 ERA in six starts, striking out 24 batters in 29.0 innings. McKenzie is 20-26 with a 3.76 ERA in 74 career games (70 starts).
Tigers vs Guardians Injury Notes
Tigers RF Wenceel Perez was scratched from the Sunday lineup against the Yankees due to an illness. Perez is day-to-day.
Guardians LF Steven Kwan was out of the lineup for Sunday’s game versus the Angels. Kwan is dealing with a hamstring issue.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Triston McKenzie Record this season: 2-2 ERA: 4.34
- The home team has won seven of the Tigers’ last eight games.
- The Tigers have lost each of their last four road games.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in eight of their last 10 games at Progressive Field.
- The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against American League opponents after playing the previous day.
Why the Detroit Tigers will win
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Jack Flaherty Record this season: 0-1 ERA: 4.00
- The Tigers have won each of their last five games as underdogs against AL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Guardians have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against the Tigers following a home win.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six night games against the Tigers at Progressive Field following a home win.
- The Tigers have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Guardians following a loss.
- The Guardians have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The Tigers have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against the Guardians at Progressive Field.
- The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last eight games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the last six games between the Tigers and Guardians at Progressive Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Tigers’ last five night games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last five games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Tigers’ last three night games against AL Central opponents.
Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers Prediction
I’ll try the Guardians in this one. McKenzie only went 4.0 innings on April 25 versus the Red Sox, giving up two earned on six hits and two walks for a no-decision. That said, McKenzie was solid in his last appearance versus the Astros with 7.0 innings and two earned. As for Maeda, he’s given up just one earned over his last 11.0 innings total. We should have a fun starter matchup here if both guys are on point.
In their Sunday matchup the Guardians had just five team hits but made them count. Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor combined for three of those hits with three runs, four RBI and two home runs. Another good pitching performance, and Cleveland should be set up well for Monday’s game.