- What: MLB Divisional Series Playoff Game
- When: Monday, October 7th
- Who: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Time: 1:08 p.m. PST
- Where: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
The Detroit Tigers visit the Cleveland Guardians for the second game of their American League Division Series at Progressive Field on Monday afternoon.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers will have their ace, Tarik Skubal, on the mound for the second game of this series. Skubal had an outstanding season, leading the American League in wins (18), ERA (2.39), and strikeouts (228).
He threw six scoreless innings in a win over the Astros on Oct. 1 and allowed only one earned run over seven innings in his sole start against the Guardians this season.
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— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 7, 2024
Tyler Holton struggled in the first game of the series, prompting the Tigers to replace him early with Reese Olson. Olson delivered five solid innings in relief, steadying the team after Holton put them in a 4-0 deficit.
The Tigers will need Skubal to pitch as long as he can to help preserve a bullpen that was used up in the game-one loss.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have won five of their six games against the Tigers this season. They shut down the Tigers in the first game of the series, the second time they’ve done so this season.
In the first game, the Guardians made an early impact, giving them an advantage in the series. They are now up against Skubal, presenting one of the toughest challenges for their lineup in the playoffs.
Let's hear ya today, Cleveland. ????️#ForTheLand | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/IWwYA3vnI3
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 7, 2024
Steven Kwan had a strong performance in the first game, scoring twice and hitting a double. His ability to get on base was instrumental in igniting the team’s offense from the start.
The Guardians will send Matthew Boyd to the mound for the second game of the series. Boyd faces a tough challenge against the Tigers. Although the Guardians bullpen has been tremendous this season, they need Boyd to pitch better than Tanner Bibee did in the first game.
Tigers-Guardians Best Bet
The Guardians got off to a great start in the first inning that ultimately set the tone for the rest of the game. It’s difficult to envision that happening again.
Tarik Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball this season and I don’t think it will be easy for the Guardians to score runs or even get men on base against him.
Oddsmakers have set a total of six runs, indicating they believe it will be a low-scoring game. While, everything went right for the Guardians in the first game, the Tigers were unable to generate any offense.
That should change today, I am backing the Tigers on the moneyline in this one, they should even up the series behind a strong performance from Skubal.
The best bet in this one is Tigers on the moneyline at -130 odds.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
