Detroit Tigers vs
Cleveland GuardiansPredictions & Preview

Tigers vs Guardians ALDS Game 1 Preview: Central Division Rivals Square Off as Cleveland Enters as Favorites at Home

The ALDS kicks off with a Central division showdown between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers, coming off a surprising sweep of the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round, will start RHP Tyler Holton, while the Guardians, who earned a bye to this round, will counter with RHP Tanner Bibee. The season series was close, with Cleveland holding a slight edge at 7-6. First pitch is set for 1:08 EST at Progressive Field in Cleveland, with the Guardians opening as the betting favorites at -146.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Tigers +132 | Guardians -146
• Spread: Tigers +1.5 (-170) | Guardians -1.5 (+150)
• Total: Over/Under 7 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cleveland will win straight-up is 59%.

Detroit vs Cleveland Stats

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have had a strong finish to the regular season, winning 15 of their final 20 games and advancing to the ALDS for the first time since 2014. Despite a lack of a traditional starting pitching staff, they have used "pitching chaos" to their advantage, utilizing multiple pitchers to secure wins. In the Wild Card games, their pitching held the Astros to just 3 runs and a .194 batting average. Offensively, the Tigers collected 17 hits in the Wild Card games and have a .706 OPS. Key players like Andy Ibanez and Jake Rogers have been instrumental in their success. The team is ranked 20th in offense, 4th in defense, and has a 88-76 record for the season.

Cleveland Guardians Analysis

The Cleveland Guardians dominated the American League Central throughout the season, finishing with an impressive 8-5 record in the last two weeks. Their pitching was a standout, with a team ERA of 3.61, ranking third best in the AL. The bullpen excelled with 42 wins, 53 saves, and an AL-best 2.57 ERA. The offense also performed well, slashing .238/.307/.395 with 185 home runs and 148 stolen bases. Jose Ramirez was a key player, hitting .279 with 39 home runs, 118 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases. The Guardians have a power ranking of 13 and are ranked 14th in offense and 3rd in defense, with an overall record of 92-69. Their recent matchup against Detroit resulted in a 2-1 record for Detroit.

Guardians Primed for Success in Matchup Against Tigers with Strong Bullpen and Well-Rested Pitchers

The Guardians dominated the regular season series by securing seven wins out of 13 meetings against the Tigers, with four victories in the last five games. Despite being outscored by Detroit 60-50, Cleveland boasts a superior overall offensive performance. Cleveland's significant advantage lies in their strong bullpen, particularly with the reliable closing pitcher Emmanuel Clase. The Tigers will face a formidable challenge in overcoming this weapon. Additionally, Cleveland's starting pitchers, including Bibee, are well-rested and prepared for this series. With these factors in mind, the Guardians are the recommended choice for success in this matchup.

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