The Detroit Tigers are set to face off against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday for the first game of the ALDS. The showdown at Progressive Field is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET.
Currently, the Tigers are favored with a -121 moneyline, while the game total is projected at six runs.
Detroit made headlines by sweeping Houston in the Wild Card round, finishing the second half of the season with a strong 39-26 record, marking their first playoff appearance since 2014.
Cleveland, on the other hand, secured a bye for the first playoff round by wrapping up the regular season with a commendable 92-69 record, clinching the American League Central division title by 6.5 games.
In their regular season encounters, the Guardians edged the Tigers with a 7-6 series lead, winning four of the last five matchups.
Skubal Takes Center Stage for Detroit
The Tigers struggled to maintain their momentum in game one, suffering a 7-0 defeat. They found themselves in a deep hole early, conceding five runs in the first inning, and they were unable to recover, finishing the game 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
While Detroit has been an exciting team for fans who love underdog stories, they face the challenge of bouncing back after a tough loss. They haven’t been a dominant force for a while, so a competitive performance on Monday is essential to avoid a quick exit from the playoffs. Fortunately for the Tigers, they have Tarik Skubal on the mound.
Skubal enjoyed a standout 2024 season, boasting a 2.39 ERA with 228 strikeouts and just 35 walks across 31 starts. In his latest outing, he pitched six scoreless innings against Houston, recording six strikeouts. His career numbers against Cleveland include a 2-2 record with a 3.46 ERA and 44 strikeouts over eight appearances (41.2 IP). In his last matchup with the Guardians, he limited them to one run while striking out ten in seven innings.
Cleveland’s Home Challenge
Cleveland proved resilient against Detroit’s recent surge, capitalizing on early opportunities in Saturday’s game. They put the Tigers on the defensive from the start, creating enough separation to stave off any potential comeback. Maintaining this aggressive mindset will be crucial as they prepare for Monday’s contest, especially with Detroit eager to shift the momentum on the road.
This matchup serves as a chance for Cleveland to seek retribution, as they felt overlooked during the latter part of the season while Detroit garnered attention for its playoff push. The Guardians, as division champions, have now given fans something to rally behind, igniting hopes for a pennant run.
Matthew Boyd, a left-handed pitcher, will take the mound against his former team on Monday. This season, Boyd has a 2-2 record with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in eight outings (39.2 IP). In his most recent game, he allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts over four innings against the Cardinals. He hasn’t faced the Tigers since the 2022 season, where he held them scoreless in four innings of work.
Top Betting Insights for Tigers vs. Guardians
With a stronger pitcher on the mound for game two, Detroit carries a fierce determination to secure a victory that may prove difficult for Cleveland to match. The Tigers previously triumphed over the Guardians in Skubal’s only start against them, as the home team has struggled historically against the Cy Young contender, recording just four extra-base hits and 15 strikeouts in 62 combined at-bats. Throughout his career, he has managed to keep Cleveland in check, allowing two or fewer runs in four of their last five matchups. Will the Guardians manage to break their streak against him in this crucial game? It seems unlikely, especially considering the current stakes.
For Detroit, the time to act is now. The team is poised to display their resilience and secure a much-needed win on Monday!
