The Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians are set to kick off a three-game series at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Currently, the Tigers have a record of 54-34, while the Guardians sit at 40-45, with Cleveland having a slight edge in their season series, leading 3-1.
Despite having a significant 12½-game lead over the Guardians, Detroit has struggled against them recently, losing three out of four games in a series held at Comerica Park back in May. Their lone victory during that stretch came from an impressive shutout by Tarik Skubal.
In their recent outings, the Tigers faced difficulties, losing two out of three games against the Washington Nationals. Notably, Gleyber Torres and Parker Meadows stood out in their last game, both contributing with multiple hits. Spencer Torkelson also made his mark, hitting his 19th home run of the season.
Reese Olson, the Tigers’ probable starting pitcher, is expected to return from the injured list. He has not pitched since May 17 but boasts a solid 2.96 ERA this season.
Conversely, the Guardians have been struggling, currently on a seven-game losing streak and have faced four shutout losses during this period. Their most recent loss came from a close game against the Chicago Cubs, where they fell 1-0 in ten innings.
The projected pitching matchup features Olson against Slade Cecconi for the Guardians. This clash may be crucial for both teams as they seek to shift their current trajectories.
BetMGM Sportsbook has set the odds with the Tigers at -125 and the Guardians at +105. With the Guardians’ offensive struggles recently, predictions lean toward a Tigers victory, possibly by a score of 5-2, highlighting the challenges Cleveland’s lineup may continue to face.
This series presents an opportunity for the Tigers to solidify their standing in the AL, while the Guardians will look to turn things around and regain their competitive edge. Observers will be keen to see if Detroit can further exploit Cleveland’s offensive woes or if the Guardians can find a way to break their slump.