The Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians meet Friday in MLB action from Progressive Field. Detroit is coming off a series versus the Red Sox this week. The Tigers split the first two games in that set, then on Thursday Detroit bagged a seven-run victory As for the Indians, they played the Blue Jays in their last series. Cleveland lost two of the first three games, and in the finale the Indians fell again in a shutout defeat. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Detroit managed a 4-2 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday, but then fell 4-1 in the Wednesday game two. In the Thursday rubber match, the Tigers had 13 hits in an 8-1 blowout victory. Starter Tarik Skubal was great on 5.0 innings, five hits, one walk and no earned runs.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Tigers will send out Matt Manning. This year Manning has 38.2 innings with 43 hits, 28 runs (24 earned), five homers allowed, 13 walks, 20 strikeouts and a 5.59 ERA.
Over on the Indians’ side, they beat the Blue Jays 5-2 on Monday but then fell in the next pair 7-2 and 8-6. On Thursday, Cleveland came up with just three hits in a 3-0 shutout loss. Triston McKenzie lasted 7.0 frames with five hits and three earned runs alongside four Ks.
Starting pitcher for the Friday game will be Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill. Over 84.2 innings this year Quantrill has 80 hits, 35 runs (32 earned), eight homers allowed, 30 walks, 61 Ks and a 3.40 ERA.
The Tigers are 42-88 in their last 130 road games and 70-149 in their last 219 versus a right-handed starter. Detroit is 12-39 in their last 51 Friday games and the over is 10-4 in their last 14 in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Indians are 3-13 in their last 16 Friday games and 1-5 in their last six in game one of a series. The over is 6-1 in Cleveland’s last seven Friday games and the under is 4-1 in their last five in game one of a series.
PICK: I like the Indians in this one. Quantrill has been solid over his last four games, totaling just three earned runs on 15 hits in 23.0 innings. As for Manning, he’s given up nine runs (six earned) in his last two starts over a span of 10.2 frames. Both starters should pitch decently here, but with the run Quantrill’s been on lately I like Cleveland to be in better position for the win.