Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians Preview & Picks
Cleveland are tipped to win the opening game of this playoff series.
That Guardians have the much better bullpen and with Tarik Skubal not expected to start for Detroit, the hosts have the pitching advantage in this one.
- Cleveland Guardians are 45-22 as a home betting favorite
- Cleveland Guardians are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings with Detroit
- Cleveland pitcher Tanner Bibee gave up just 1 earned in his last start
- The Under has cashed in 8 of Cleveland’s previous 10 games
Head To Head
- Cleveland Guardians won the regular season series 7-6
- Cleveland Guardians won 5-0 when the two teams last met on July 30
Detroit Tigers Form
Detroit head to Cleveland having advanced from the Wild Card round earlier this week.
The Tigers finished the regular season with an 86-78 record, securing third place in the American League Central and a trip to Houston.
They went into that series having won 10 of their final 13 regular season games, but having lost their last two outings.
Detroit got back to winning ways in the opening game against the Astros, running out 3-1 winners at Minute Maid Park.
That gave the Tigers an opportunity to clinch the series in just two games, and they did just that by winning the second encounter, 5-2.
Cleveland Guardians Form
Cleveland booked their place in the playoffs by winning the American League Central with a 92-69 record.
That record meant they finished six games clear of playoff opponents Detroit, and also meant they enjoyed a postseason bye.
The return to action looking to kick-start an improved run of form after closing out the regular season with four defeats in their final six games.
Cleveland’s dip in form started with back-to-back defeats in St Louis, as they lost 6-5 and 2-1 to the Cardinals.
The Guardians rebounded to sweep Cincinnati with 6-1 and 5-2 wins at home, only to then drop back-to-back meetings with Houston, 5-2 and 4-3.