[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Cleveland Guardians (56-32) and Detroit Tigers (42-48) begin a 4-game series Monday. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 2-1
The Guardians posted back-to-back 5-4 home victories Saturday and Sunday against the San Francisco Giants after losing Friday’s series opener 4-2. Cleveland also won a pair of 1-run home games against Detroit back on May 6-8 in the season’s 1st series between these AL Central rivals.
While the Guardians have the best AL record and lead the Central by 6 games over the 2nd-place Minnesota Twins, the Guards are just 3-5 in the past 8 inside the division. Cleveland has cashed the Over in 5 of the past 6 games, but the Under is 10-5 in the previous 15 contests on the road.
The Tigers swept a 3-game interleague series at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati over the weekend, including 2 wins as underdogs. Detroit outscored Cincinnati 15-8 in the sweep, while the Under went 2-0-1. However, the Over is 5-2-1 in the Tigers’ past 8 outings.
At home, the Tigers have won 4 of the past 7 games, while the Under has cashed in 5 of the previous 7 outings. Detroit has won only 3 of the past 10 games against the AL Central, while the Over has cashed in 9 of the past 11 inside the division.
Guardians at Tigers projected starters
RHP Gavin Williams vs. RHP Keider Montero
Williams (0-1, 11.25 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 2.25 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 4.5 K/9 in 4 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 8-2 home setback vs. Chicago White Sox Wednesday in season debut
- 2023 road splits: 0-2, 2.48 ERA (29 IP, 8 ER), 1.14 WHIP, .188 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 14 BB, 28 K in 6 starts
- Career vs. Tigers: Loss, 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H (1 HR), 2 BB, 4 K in 4-2 home loss Aug. 18, 2023 in only appearance vs. Detroit
Montero (1-2, 6.60 ERA) makes his 3rd start and 4th appearance. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 15 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 4 K in 9-2 road victory vs. Minnesota Twins Wednesday
- 2024 home splits: 0-2, 9.35 ERA (8 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.62 WHIP, .286 OBA, 4 BB, 11 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
- Has never faced Guardians
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Guardians at Tigers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Guardians -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Tigers +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+105) | Tigers +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Guardians at Tigers picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 7, Tigers 4
Moneyline
The GUARDIANS (-150) are worth a play as moderate favorites in this series opener.
Cleveland has struggled against the Tigers (+125) in previous seasons, including going 2-4 in 6 games at Comerica Park last season.
However, the Guardians are playing tremendous baseball this season, and they’ve won 2 of the 3 meetings to date. Williams looked a little rusty in his first outing after injury, but Montero has been very giving. Take Cleveland in a potentially high-scoring affair.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re more adventurous, GUARDIANS -1.5 (+105) on the run line is worth a roll of the dice.
Montero looked pretty sharp in Minnesota last time out, posting his 1st career quality start. However, he has been a disaster in front of the home fans, allowing 9 ER, 10 H and 4 BB in just 8 2/3 innings in 1 start and 1 relief appearance at Comerica Park. He should struggle against a solid Cleveland lineup with 2 All-Star starters, 3B Jose Ramirez and OF Steven Kwan.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board in this divisional battle.
The Over cashed in 2 of 3 games in the first series in Cleveland, and the total went high in 2 of the final 3 meetings at Comerica Park last season, too.
The Over has hit in 7 of the past 9 games for the Guardians, while cashing at a 5-2-1 clip in the previous 8 outings for the Tigers, including Montero’s most recent start in Minnesota July 3.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Fantasy baseball help from BaseballHQ.com:
Subscribe now to dominate the competition.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]