Tag: 2024 MLB playoffs 2024 AL Divisional Series 2024 ALDS round

ALDS Game 4: New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals meet Thursday in Game 4 of their best-of-5 ALDS. First pitch at Kauffman Stadium is slated for 7:38 p.m. ET (TBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Yankees vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Series: New York leads 2-1; won regular season series 5-2

The Yankees took Games 1 and 3, winning both in 1-run fashion. Since Sept. 11, New York has gone a combined 13-7 with a 3.23 ERA.

Kansas City pitching has issued 17 free passes in the club’s 2 losses in the series. And Wednesday’s loss, a 3-2 affair that saw the Royals collect just 6 hits and 2 walks, marked K.C.’s 7th in a row at Kauffman Stadium.

Yankees at Royals projected starters

RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Michael Wacha

Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) made 17 starts in the regular season. He authored a 1.13 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 in 95 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 6-5 win vs. Kansas City Royals Saturday (ALDS Game 1)
  • Career vs. Royals (regular season): 4-1, 2.77 ERA (52 IP, 16 ER), 0.86 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 8 starts
  • Owns a 3.05 ERA in 109 1/3 career playoff innings

Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA) made 29 starts in the regular season. He registered a 1.19 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 166 2/3 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 4 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 6-5 loss at New York Yankees Saturday (ALDS Game 1)
  • Career vs. Yankees (regular season): 2-1, 2.97 ERA (57 2/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.01 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 in 11 appearances (9 starts)
  • Has registered a 5.36 ERA over 42 career playoff innings

Yankees at Royals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Yankees -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Royals +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (+110) | Royals +1.5 (-135)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Yankees at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Yankees 5, Royals 4

Moneyline

The Yankees were a -210 favorite with this same pitching matchup in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. Neither hurler fared well, and New York earned a 6-5 victory in the series lid-lifter.

New York had a plus-18 run differential vs. Kansas City in the regular season. Per ESPN, the Cole has held Kansas City to an aggregate .603 OPS with a hefty strikeout rate.

Wacha logged some generous rates around the margins in posting his regular-season ERA, and his expected-ERA numbers were more-than-a-half-run higher. The K.C. righty has pitched quite well at Kauffman Stadium (2.89 ERA), and he does have a history of faring well in home starts. But his Game 1 performance and overall postseason line leave enough doubt in this spot.

The Royals offense was productive at home this season. But lately, Kansas City has struggled mightily on home turf. The ballclub is winless (0-7) at Kauffman since Sept. 16. Over those 7 games, the Royals offense has cranked out a whiff-laden .541 OPS.

BACK YANKEES (-155).

Run line/Against the spread

No interest here due to CF Aaron Judge struggles (1-for-14 in this series, .467 OPS across last 12 postseason games) and the likely Thursday unavailability of New York closer Luke Weaver, who got the final 5 outs in Wednesday’s win.

PASS.

Over/Under

Game 4 gets a slight temperature warm-up. Both starters are good, but slight fades compared to their surface numbers. Bullpens are a few days used and seen.

TAKE THE OVER 7.5 (-115).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6035″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. 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]

ALDS Game 3: New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals meet in Game 3 of their best-of-5 ALDS Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Yankees vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Playoffs series: Tied 1-1; Yankees won regular-season series 5-2

New York posted a 6-5 win in Game 1 as a heavy favorite (-200), although Kansas City covered the run line as an underdog as the Over (8) connected. In Game 2, the Royals surprised the Yankees as moderate underdogs (+140) as the Under (7.5) held on.

In Game 2, LHP Cole Ragans allowed a run in 4 IP, while the Royals  bullpen allowed a single run in 5 IP. Veteran C Salvador Perez smacked a solo HR for the team’s only extra-base hit.

The Royals are 3-1 in the postseason, all on the road, and each victory has been as an underdog. The Under is 3-1 in those 4 games, too. This will be Kansas City’s 1st home game since Sept. 22, and 1st postseason home game since Nov. 1, 2015, when the Royals topped the New York Mets in 5 games to win the World Series.

Yankees at Royals projected starters

RHP Clarke Schmidt vs. RHP Seth Lugo

Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) made 16 regular-season starts. He had a 1.18 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 85 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 K in 6-4 home victory vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Sept. 29
  • 2024 road splits (regular season): 3-3, 1.39 ERA (45 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.13 WHIP, 17 BB, 46 K in 8 starts
  • Career vs. Royals: 2-0, 3.29 ERA (13 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 1.32 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 in 4 appearances (2 starts)
  • Didn’t face the Royals in 2024
  • Career postseason: 0-2, 11.57 ERA (2 1/3 IP, 1 K, 3.00 WHIP) in 3 relief appearances

Lugo (16-9, 3.00 ERA) made 33 regular-season starts. He had a 1.09 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 206 2/3 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H (1 solo HR), 1 BB, 6 K in 2-1 road victory in Game 2 of Wild Card round vs. Baltimore Orioles
  • 2024 home splits (regular season): 7-6, 3.36 ERA (107 IP, 40 ER), 1.14 WHIP, 25 BB, 83 K in 17 starts
  • Career vs. Yankees: 5-2, 2.55 ERA (35 1/3 IP, 10 ER), 0.96 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 14 appearances (4 starts)
  • 2024 vs. Yankees: 1-1, 2.57 ERA (14 IP, 4 ER), .224 opponents’ batting average, 1 BB, 14 K in 2 starts
  • Career postseason: 0-0, 1.42 ERA (6 1/3 IP, 9 K, 1.42 WHIP) in 4 appearances (1 start)

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Yankees at Royals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 5:47 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Yankees -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Royals -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (+145) | Royals +1.5 (-175)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Yankees at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Royals 4, Yankees 3

Moneyline

The ROYALS (-105) are a sharp play as short ‘dogs at home in Game 3 behind Lugo, who was sharp during the regular season with 16 victories.

The Yankees (-115) have the payroll, and they have the big names, but the starting pitching is a little shaky. Trust Lugo way more than Schmidt, especially in front of a raucous crowd hungry for playoff baseball.

Run line/Against the spread

The Royals +1.5 (-175) are only worth playing lightly if you’re super conservative, and you just can’t bring yourself to play against the Yankees -1.5 (+145) straight up.

If you like Kansas City, though, just play it straight up.

PASS.

Over/Under

UNDER 8 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

The Over-Under has split in the 2 games in this playoff series, but the Under is 3-1 in the past 4 meetings since Sept. 10.

The Yankees had to hop a plane for the 1st time since Sept. 22. The Under is 6-3 in the past 9 games on the road for New York.

For the Royals, the Under is 3-1 in the postseason, while going 14-4 in the past 18 games since Sept. 10, a streak which started in New York.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]

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]

ALDS Game 3: Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers meet in Game 3 of their best-of-5 ALDS Wednesday at Comerica Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Guardians vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Playoffs series: Tied 1-1; Guardians won regular-season series 7-6

Cleveland won Game 1 on Saturday 7-0 as the favorite (-128) cashed, while the total (7) pushed at most shops. In Game 2, Detroit returned the favor with a 3-0 win behind LHP Tarik Skubal as slight road favorites (-122) as the Under (6) again connected.

The Guardians swept a 2-game series at Comerica Park July 29-30, while the Tigers took 3 of 4 games in a set July 8-11. The Over has cashed in 4 of the past 5 meetings at Comerica Park, while the Under has hit in 5 of the past 6 in the series, including the 1st 2 games of this playoff set.

The Tigers are hosting their 1st playoff game at Comerica Park since 2014.

It’s been longer since Guardians RHP Alex Cobb made a postseason appearance, last pitching in the playoffs for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013, including a start against Cleveland in a Wild Card win.

A torn fingernail on his right index finger and a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand limited him to just 3 regular-season starts, and he hasn’t appeared since Sept. 1. He worked his way into shape with a 4-inning simulated game.

The Tigers have not announced a pitcher as of time of publishing.

Guardians at Tigers projected starters

RHP Alex Cobb vs. TBD

Cobb (2-1, 2.76 ERA) made 3 regular-season starts. He had a 1.04 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 5.5 K/9 in 16 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 6-1 home victory vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Sept. 1
  • 2024 road splits (regular season): Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 9 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 12 K in 6-3 setback at Minnesota in only road start
  • Career vs. Tigers: 3-2, 2.91 ERA (46 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.40 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 in 8 starts

Tigers did not have a starting pitcher listed at time of publishing

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Guardians at Tigers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 5:27 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Guardians -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Tigers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+155) | Tigers +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -120 | U: +100)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Guardians at Tigers picks and predictions

Prediction

Guardians 3, Tigers 2

Moneyline

The GUARDIANS (-110) are worth playing lightly behind Cobb. While he doesn’t have a lot of games under his belt this season, he appears to be back to 100 percent healthy, and manager Stephen Vogt trusts him so much that he left RHP Ben Lively, who made 29 starts, off the ALDS roster.

We know what we’re getting with the Guardians, but we’re uncertain who will start for the Tigers. It could be an opener, but there is uncertainty when it’s not Skubal on the bump.

Run line/Against the spread

Backing the Tigers +1.5 (-190) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, if you need a little insurance and can’t back Detroit straight up.

The best thing to do is PASS, and focus on the moneyline.

Over/Under

UNDER 7 (+100) at even-money is worth a look in Game 3.

While Cobb is a little bit of an unknown, since he hasn’t pitched in 5 weeks, and we don’t even know who Detroit will roll with, the Under has cashed in a pair of shutout wins for each team in this series.

Detroit has cashed low at a 3-0-1 pace in the postseason, while the Under is 8-1-2 in the past 11 games since Sept. 22.

For Cleveland, the Under is 6-0-1 in the past 7 games, while going 13-2-2 in the past 17 outings, and 21-3-4 in the past 28 contests.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]

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]

ALDS Game 2: Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees clash Monday as they continue their best-of-5 ALDS. Game 2 at Yankee Stadium is slated for 7:38 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Royals vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Series: New York leads 1-0; New York won 5-2 in the regular season series

The Yankees took Saturday’s opener 6-5 as -201 home favorites with the Over (8) hitting in the top of the 6th inning.

There were 4 lead changes in the first 5½ innings. Kansas City led 1-0 after 2½ innings, 3-2 after 4½ innings and 5-4 after 5½ innings. New York tied it in the bottom of the 6th on C Austin Wells’ 2-out, RBI single and took the lead for good on LF Alex Verdugo’s 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the 7th — Verdugo (2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), the Yankees’ No. 9 hitter, scored the tying run in the 6th.

Including regular-season games, Kansas City is 4-16 across its last 20 games at Yankee Stadium dating back to July 2018.

The Yankees are 15-8 since Sept. 6. They outscored the Royals 48-29 — averaging 6.0 runs per game — in the 8 head-to-head battles this season, including Saturday’s opener.

Royals at Yankees projected starters

LHP Cole Ragans vs. LHP Carlos Rodon

Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA) made 32 regular-season starts. He had a 1.14 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and an AL-best 10.8 K/9 in 186 1/3 innings.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 1-0 win at Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series Tuesday in 1st career postseason appearance
  • Career vs. Yankees: 0-0, 2.57 ERA (7 IP, 2 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 9 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
  • 2024 vs. Yankees, 1 start, no-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 4-3 loss in 11 innings at Yankee Stadium Sept. 11
  • Clocked a 1.08 ERA (25 IP, 3 ER) across 4 starts in September

Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA) started 32 games in the regular season. He had a 1.22 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 in 175 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K in 4-2 home loss vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Sept. 27
  • Career vs. Royals: 4-6, 4.66 ERA (67 2/3 IP, 35 ER),1.49 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 13 starts
  • 2024 vs. Royals: 1-0, 2.08 ERA (13 IP, 3 ER), 10 H, 2 HR, 1 BB, 12 K in 2 starts
  • Posted a 2.92 ERA (49 1/3 IP, 16 ER) over his last 9 starts
  • Career postseason: 0-1, 13.50 ERA (2 2/3 IP, 4 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 2 games (1 start), both for Chicago White Sox in 2020 and ’21

Royals at Yankees odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 2:29 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Royals +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Yankees -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-185) | Yankees -1.5 (+150)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Royals at Yankees picks and predictions

Prediction

Yankees 5, Royals 4

Moneyline

New York took 2 of 3 from Kansas City in a Yankee Stadium series last month (Sept. 9-11). The Yanks are 4-1 across their last 5 games after an off day.

The Yankees’ regular-season line against lefty pitching does not pop off the page. But their .721 OPS in such situations includes a 2nd-half surge in that department.

As mentioned above, Ragans is making just his 2nd postseason appearance. He has pitched just 2 2/3 career postseason innings, and they have not gone well (4 runs allowed on 4 hits and 4 walks). But the New York port-sider pitched well down the stretch and he has an excellent line against current K.C. bats (.641 OPS allowed, according to ESPN).

The long rest for Rodon is certainly a consideration. Over his career, the left-hander has a allowed a .698 OPS; he’s held foes to a .663 mark when pitching on 6-plus days of rest.

The Yankees received good non-Soto-and-Judge production Saturday. That’s a good sign for their offense, which is not at its best when too reliant on the meat of the batting order.

The Game 1 win gives New York a cushion and perhaps some loose confidence. The same words might well apply to a Yankee bullpen that had its struggles in the regular season but could have benefited greatly from the 5-day reset it had while awaiting Wild Card Series results.

New York had a plus-18 run differential against Kansas City in the regular season.

BACK YANKEES (-150).

Run line/Against the spread

No interest. PASS.

Over/Under

The Over 8 cashed Saturday, and the Over is 7-1-1 across New York’s last 9 games.

A hedge against both starters makes sense in this one. Even though Rodon is perhaps slightly undervalued in this matchup, he tends to allow loud contact and has lately even in a string of good work over recent weeks.

The weather report calls for a breeze blowing out to right, and the OVER 7.5 (-110) has value for this contest.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6035″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. 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]

ALDS Game 2: Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians meet in Game 2 of their best-of-5 ALDS Monday at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Tigers vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Playoffs series: Guardians lead 1-0; Guardians won regular-season series 7-6

Cleveland took the opener 7-0 Saturday, cashing as a -128 favorite as the O/U (7) pushed.

The Guardians erupted for 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning to chase opener RHP Tyler Holton, who allowed 4 runs and failed to record an out before getting pulled after 4 batters. RHP Reese Olson relieved and allowed just 1 run (1 HR) on 3 hits and a walk with 4 K’s in 5 innings, but the damage was done. It didn’t help that the Tigers offense only had 4 hits.

Cleveland CF Lane Thomas’ 3-run HR off Olson was the big blow. DH David Fry added 2 RBIs and 1B Josh Naylor had an RBI as the Guardians collected 4 extra-base hits and 2 steals. RHP Tanner Bibee (4 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K) and 4 relievers combined on the 4-hit shutout.

The Guardians turn to LHP Matthew Boyd for Game 2. He spent 7+ seasons with the Tigers from 2015-21, and again in 2023.

Tigers at Guardians projected starters

LHP Tarik Skubal vs. LHP Matthew Boyd

Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) made 31 regular-season starts. He had a 0.92 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 192 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 3-1 win at Astros in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series Tuesday in 1st career postseason appearance
  • 2024 road splits (regular season): 8-3, 2.86 ERA (88 IP, 28 ER), 8 HR, 1.03 WHIP, .234 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 11.5 K/9 in 15 starts
  • Career vs. Guardians: 2-2, 3.46 ERA (41 2/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.20 WHP, 9.5 K/9 in 8 starts
  • 2024 vs. Guardians: 1 start, win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 8-2 road victory July 22

Boyd (2-2, 2.72 ERA) made 8 regular-season starts. He had a 1.13 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 39 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 6 K in 6-5 setback at St. Louis Cardinals Sept. 21
  • 2024 home splits: 1-1, 2.25 ERA (20 IP, 5 ER), 0.95 WHIP, .206 OBA, 4 BB, 23 K in 4 starts
  • Career vs. Tigers: 0-0, 0.00 (4 IP, 0 ER), 0 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 2 relief appearances in 2022 with Seattle Mariners
  • Career postseason: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (1/3 IP), 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K in 1 relief appearance for Mariners vs. Houston Astros Oct. 15, 2022

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Tigers at Guardians odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated Sunday at 11:29 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Tigers -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Guardians +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers -1.5 (+150) | Guardians +1.5 (-185)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Tigers at Guardians picks and predictions

Prediction

Tigers 4, Guardians 2

Moneyline

The TIGERS (-130) are a strong play behind their southpaw ace in Game 2 as they look to even the series.

Skubal was tremendous in Game 1 in Houston in the Wild Card Series, introducing himself to the casual fan with authority. He won his only start against the Guardians in Cleveland back in late July.

Boyd isn’t on the same plane as Skubal and Detroit should be able to level things up before the series shifts to the Motor City for Game 3 Wednesday.

Run line/Against the spread

If you’re a little more adventurous, feel free to take a shot on Detroit -1.5 (+150) … just don’t bet more than 1½ units between the moneyline and the spread.

The Guardians routed the Tigers in the series opener, but the pitching scales are tipped in favor of Detroit in Game 2.

Over/Under

PASS.

I’d be willing to make a wager if the O/U line climbs to 6.5. This line is low mostly because of Skubal. Don’t expect the Guardians offense to get off to a quick start like it did Saturday in Game 1.

The Under cashed in both games for Detroit in the Wild Card Series in Houston behind a 3-1 win with Skubal in the opener with an O/U line of 6.5, and a 5-2 victory in Game 2 with an O/U line of 7.5.

Cleveland cashed Unders at a 20-3-3 pace in its final 26 regular-season games, and 12-1-2 in the final 15 contests at Progressive Field.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]

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]

ALDS Game 1: Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians meet in Game 1 of their best-of-5 ALDS Saturday at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Tigers vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Regular-season series: Guardians won 7-6

This is the 1st time the Tigers and Guardians have met in the postseason.

The Tigers picked up a pair of road victories to sweep the Houston Astros in an AL Wild Card Series. The Tigers won 3-1 as slight underdogs (+128) Tuesday in Game 1 behind SP Tarik Skubal in his postseason debut, and they completed the sweep with a 5-2 win Wednesday in Game 2 as moderate underdogs (+155). The Under — 6.5 and 7.5, respectively cashed in both games.

The last time these teams met at Progressive Field, they teams split a 4-game series in July with the favorite cashing in 3 of those 4 outings. The Over-Under also split 2-2. The favorite is 5-2 in 7 meetings this season in Cleveland, with the Over holding a slight 4-3 edge.

Despite losing the season series, Detroit outscored Cleveland 60-50 in the 13 games as 5 of the Guardians’ 7 wins were only by 1 run.

The AL Central Division champion Guardians, the No. 2 seed in the AL playoffs, went 7-3 in the final 10 home games in the regular season, while the Under cashed in the final 5 outings at Progressive Field. The Under went 20-3-3 in the final 26 regular-season games for Cleveland, too. However, the Guardians haven’t played since last Sunday.

Tigers at Guardians projected starters

LHP Tyler Holton vs. RHP Tanner Bibee

Holton (7-2, 2.19 ERA, 8 saves) made 9 regular-season starts and 57 relief appearances. He had a 0.78 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 in 94 1/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 5-2 win at Astros in Game 2 of AL Wild Card Game Series Wednesday
  • 2024 road splits (regular season): 3-2, 1.54 ERA (52 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 3 HR, 0.65 WHIP, .158 OBA, 7.9 K/9 30 relief appearances (6 starts)
  • Last 7 games: 1-1, 2.07 ERA (8 2/3 IP, 2 ER), 0.46 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 4 relief appearances, 3 starts
  • Career vs. Guardians: 2-0, 0.93 (19 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 13 H, 3 BB, 13 K in 12 appearances (3 starts)
  • 2024 vs. Guardians: 2-0, 0.00 ERA (12 1/3 IP), 8 H, 1 BB in 6 games (3 starts)
  • Career postseason: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (1 1/3 IP), 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 1 start, 1 relief appearance — both last week vs. Astros

Bibee (12-8, 3.47 ERA) made 31 regular-season starts. He had a 1.12 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 in 173 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 6-1 home victory vs. Cincinnati Reds Sept. 24
  • 2024 home splits: 5-4, 4.15 ERA (89 IP, 41 ER), 11 HR, 1.18 WHIP, .243 OBA, 10.0 K/9 in 16 starts
  • Last 7 games: 2-3, 3.92 ERA (41 1/3 IP, 18 ER), 1.23 WHIP, 9.4 K/9
  • Career vs. Tigers: 1-3, 5.28 (30 2/3 IP, 18 ER), 1.30 WHIP, 3 HR, 7.9 K/9 in 6 starts
  • 2024 vs. Tigers: 1-1, 4.50 ERA (22 IP, 11 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 4 starts
  • Has never appeared in postseason

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Tigers at Guardians odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 5 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Tigers +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Guardians -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers +1.5 (-185) | Guardians -1.5 (+150)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -115 | U: -105)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Tigers at Guardians picks and predictions

Prediction

Guardians 3, Tigers 2

Moneyline

The GUARDIANS (-155) are a safe play at home as moderate favorites.

Bibee makes his 1st postseason start, but he was arguably one of the team’s best members of the rotation. He also posted a 2.64 ERA (30 2/3 IP, 9 ER) in September, his best ERA of any month in the regular season. He also posted a 1.98 ERA (13 2/3 IP, 3 ER) in his final 2 starts.

The Tigers (+130) are steaming in with a lot of momentum after sweeping the Astros, so it won’t be easy.

Run line/Against the spread

If you’d rather have a little insurance, Tigers +1.5 (-185) is a little too expensive. Detroit will cost nearly 2 times your potential return. At that price point, it’s too much risk and not enough reward, even though 5 of Detroit’s 6 losses to Cleveland in the regular season were by a single run.

If you like Detroit, just play it straight up.

PASS.

Over/Under

UNDER 7 (-105) is worth a look in this series opener.

The total went Under both games for the Tigers down in Houston in the Wild Card Series, while the Guardians saw the Under cash at a phenomenal 20-3-3 clip in their final 26 regular-season games, while going 12-1-1 in the final 14 home outings.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]

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]