Tigers vs Guardians Prediction 5/21/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Tigers vs Guardians prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, May 21st at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview

The Detroit Tigers are 20-30 this year after they lost the first three games in this series by scores of 2-8, 3-4, and 2-3. In game three, Detroit led 1-0 late in the game, but they blew the save in the ninth and allowed two runs in the 10th for the loss. The Tigers recorded five hits in the game and they were led by McKinstry, who went 2-4 with one RBI. Anderson allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 4.2 innings, while Vest blew the save and Holton got the loss. Prior to this series, Detroit lost two out of three against the Blue Jays and all three against the Mets. 

This season, Detroit has a 4.03 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 193 runs with a .238 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Dillon Dingler has led the Tigers with eight home runs and 28 RBIs, while Riley Greene has added four home runs and 24 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Casey Mize, who is 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 37.0 innings pitched this year. 

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Cleveland Guardians are 29-22 this season after they won game three by a score of 3-2 last night. Cleveland finally scored in the ninth inning to tie the game and they hit back to back extra base hits in the 10th for the win. The Guardians recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Martinez, who went 1-5 with one RBI. Bibee allowed four hits and one earned run over 8.0 innings, while Holderman got the win and Smith picked up the save. Prior to this series, Cleveland won two out of three against the Reds and all three against the Angels. 

This season, Cleveland has a 3.72 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .235 opponent batting average, while they have scored 225 runs with a .231 batting average and a .326 on base percentage. Chase DeLauter has led the Guardians with seven home runs and 30 RBIs, while Jose Ramirez has added eight home runs and 23 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cleveland is Joey Cantillo, who is 3-1 with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 50.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The Tigers have won each of their last nine day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have lost each of their last four games after going to extra innings.
• The Tigers have covered the run line in eight of their last nine day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in 10 of their last 12 road games following a road win.
• The Tigers have won the first inning in five of their last six day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Tigers have led after 3 innings in five of their last six day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Tigers have led after 5 innings in six of their last eight home day games.

Why the Cleveland Guardians will win

• The Guardians have won each of their last eight games after playing the previous day.
• The Tigers have lost each of their last eight games against AL Central opponents following a home loss.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs against AL Central opponents following a win.
• The Guardians have won the first inning in four of their last five day games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Guardians have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
• The Tigers have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against AL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Guardians’ last eight road games following an extra innings win have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Tigers’ last four home games following an extra innings loss have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Tigers’ last eight Thursday day games against American League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Guardians’ last seven games at Comerica Park.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Matt Vierling has hit a home run in three of the Tigers’ last four games as favorites.
• Casey Mize has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four home appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• Riley Greene has recorded at least one hit in each of the Tigers’ last nine games against the Guardians.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

• Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in each of the Guardians’ last two games as road underdogs against the Tigers.
• Rhys Hoskins has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances against the Tigers.

Tigers vs Guardians Prediction 

Cleveland comes into this matchup on a lengthy winning streak and they are looking to complete a rare four game sweep with a win here. The Guardians are 14-12 on the road this year, while the Tigers are 13-11 at home. Detroit continues to struggle at the plate and they have lost 13 of their last 15 games. The Tigers are starting Mize, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, while Cantillo has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last five outings. I don’t trust either offense in this game, so I like the under here.