The Detroit Tigers are aiming to secure a spot in the American League Championship Series as they face the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday in Detroit. The Tigers edged closer to the ALCS, their first appearance since 2013, with a 3-0 victory over the Guardians on Wednesday. The Guardians (92-69), who clinched the AL Central Division for the second time in three years, have not progressed beyond the divisional round since their World Series run in 2016. The Tigers (86-76), who finished third in the AL Central, have not made the postseason since 2014.
The game is scheduled to begin at 6:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. Cleveland is favored with a money line of -122 (wager $122 to win $100), while the over-under for total runs is set at 6.5. Before making any predictions on the Tigers vs. Guardians matchup, it’s recommended to consult expert betting advice.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, has a strong track record going 32-17 on top-rated run-line picks since last season. The model has released its predictions for the Guardians vs. Tigers game.
Here are the current odds for the matchup:
– Money line: Cleveland -122, Detroit +102
– Over-under: 6.5 runs
– Run line: Cleveland -1.5 (+145)
For the Guardians, pitcher Tanner Bibee (12-8, 3.47 ERA) is slated to take the mound. In Game 1, he delivered a solid performance, allowing four hits and one walk while recording six strikeouts in 4.2 innings during a 7-0 victory. The young right-hander made 31 starts this season, pitching over 173 innings and tallying 187 strikeouts. Against the Tigers in the regular season, he had a 1-1 record with a 4.50 ERA.
Cleveland’s offensive standout, third baseman Jose Ramirez, has been a key contributor, batting .279 with 39 doubles, 39 home runs, and 118 RBIs over 158 games this season. Despite being hitless in the last two games, he has historically performed well against Detroit, achieving a .347 batting average against them in the regular season.
On the other hand, the Tigers are expected to employ a bullpen strategy similar to their successful Game 3 approach. Center fielder Matt Vierling has been critical to Detroit’s offense, having two hits and two walks in the last game. He has maintained a .257 batting average this season.
Rookie second baseman Colt Keith is also a key player for the Tigers, having played well against the Guardians during the regular season. He contributed in Wednesday’s victory and has had a respectable overall season.
SportsLine’s model anticipates a higher-scoring game, projecting a total of 7.5 runs, and suggests there is value on one side of the money line. For detailed picks, visit SportsLine to access the model’s expert analysis.