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
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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)
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.
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