The Detroit Tigers are set to face off against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday for game four of the ALDS. The action at Comerica Park begins at 3:08 p.m. ET.
As it stands, the Guardians are -119 moneyline favorites, with the total runs for the game set at 6.5.
Cleveland secured a bye for the opening round after finishing the regular season with a commendable 92-69 record, taking the American League Central division title by a solid 6.5 games.
Detroit made headlines by sweeping Houston in the Wild Card round and finished the second half of the season with a 39-26 record. This marks their first playoff appearance since 2014, igniting hopes among their fans.
During the regular season, Cleveland edged out Detroit in their series, winning 7-6 and taking four of their last five encounters.
Mike Briggs has achieved SIX successful bets with plus odds this postseason, including notable underdog wins (NYM +158 and DET +155)! Follow him on X (Twitter) for more insights!
Bibee’s Challenge: Guardians Rely on Young Arm for a Vital Win
Cleveland faced another setback on Wednesday, finishing the game 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The Tigers utilized six pitchers in their game three victory, capitalizing on an early lead to distance themselves from the Guardians. After a strong offensive showing in game one, the Guardians’ bats have quieted significantly. Will they find their rhythm in time to avoid elimination?
Manager Stephen Vogt commented, “I thought we did a great job setting the table. We just weren’t able to come up with a big hit.”
For Thursday’s game, the Guardians will hand the ball to right-hander Tanner Bibee. The 25-year-old finished the regular season with a 12-8 record, a 3.47 ERA, and a 1.12 WHIP across 31 starts, including an impressive 5-4 record with a 3.01 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in the second half. Bibee has faced the Tigers four times this season, allowing 11 runs on 19 hits while striking out 19 batters over 22.0 innings.
Tigers on the Brink: Aiming for an Unlikely ALCS Appearance
Detroit made a strong statement on Wednesday, scoring early and holding the Guardians scoreless in a game three shutout that put them ahead 2-1 in the series. With back-to-back shutouts under their belt, the Tigers now find themselves just one victory away from moving on. Can they seal the deal at home on Thursday?
“This is a huge victory for us, just to see the stadium and the whole city come out for the first playoff game in a decade,” said center fielder Matt Vierling.
For the elimination game, Detroit may opt for an opener or start Reese Olson. Olson, expected to pitch the majority of the innings, recorded a 4-8 record with a 3.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP during the regular season. He faced Cleveland twice in 2024, allowing five runs (four earned) over 12 innings. The Tigers’ bullpen has been impressive, showcasing a 2.41 ERA in the final month of the season.
Looking for winning strategies on the baseball slate? MLB Free Picks are available for you.
Expert Predictions for Guardians vs. Tigers
After securing a vital win in game three, can the Tigers complete their mission on Thursday? Their offense has proven effective in clutch situations, reminiscent of their Wild Card series against Houston. Expectations are high for them to maintain this momentum against Bibee, who has struggled historically against them.
Olson’s recent performance bodes well for Detroit. He pitched five innings of one-run ball in game one, showcasing his potential. He is likely to pitch three or four innings before handing the game over to a strong relief team that has excelled in recent outings. If the Guardians had shown signs of life in Wednesday’s match, a case could be made for a game five. However, the lack of offensive production suggests otherwise — placing a bet on Detroit for a moneyline victory could be a wise choice for this pivotal game four!
