Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians 10/7/24 – As the postseason action in Major League Baseball intensifies, Game 2 of the ALDS sees the Cleveland Guardians go up against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field, with the series currently in favor of Cleveland 1-0. This matchup brings a level of endurance and the demonstration of strategy and sport. Therefore, it comes out as one of the most preferred among the MLB postseason latest free picks. The Tigers, who were 86-76 this season, will try to equal the series against the Guardian as they are 92-69, hoping to further their advantage while playing at home.
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians 10/7/24
| When: | Monday, October 7, 2024 at 4:08 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Progressive Field |
| TV: | TBS |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians 10/7/24
| Team | RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | -1.5 (+145) | 6.5 over (+100) | -130 |  |
| Guardians | +1.5 (-175) | 6.5 under (-120) | +110 | |
| ||||
All eyes on the road ahead. #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/81uOncTOqq
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 5, 2024
The Tigers enter the game as slight favorites in the moneyline at -130, reflecting their need to even the series. The spread suggests a close game, with the Tigers needing to win by two to cover, while the Guardians are favored to keep it within one run. Betting on the total could be tricky as both teams have shown a tendency for lower-scoring games, evident from the set total at 6.5 runs.
Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.38 ERA) vs. Matthew Boyd (2-2, 2.72 ERA)
This year, Tarik Skubal, the prominent pitcher of the Tigers with an 18-4 won loss record and an astounding ERA of 2.38, has been a force on the mound. With a remarkable water-thin WHIP of 0.92 in 192 innings pitched and with a brilliant count of 228 strike outs to his name, Skubal has mastered the finishing of hitters. He has nasty stuff with a powerful fastball and an effective changeup which makes him an excellent starter under pressure. Nonetheless, one or two of his minor flaws such as giving up key home runs, however might be relevant this time around.
Matthew Boyd for the Guardians presents a different story as holding a record with no major effect 2-2 and 2.72 ERA in just 39.2 innings pitch so far in the season. With a respectable strikeout-to-walk ratio and the ability to pitch out of trouble, Boyd’s bread and butter should be the early portion of the game. Still, his WHIP of 1.13 is a little bit on the higher side, and this means that if the Tigers’ hitters come through with timely hitting, they might be able to get to Boyd rather quickly.
Tigers’ Tactical Play: A Deep Dive
The Detroit Tigers’ offensive stats reflect a team that has struggled to consistently put runs on the board, batting just .234 with a slugging percentage of .385. However, their 162 home runs this season show they have the power to change the game with one swing. Key to their strategy against Boyd will be patience at the plate and exploiting any signs of his lingering injury issues. Their performance on the road has been notably better, which might play into their hands in this crucial away game.
Guardians’ Game Plan: Analyzing the Strategy
The Cleveland Guardians have a slight edge in batting average and slugging, highlighted by their 185 home runs. While not overwhelming, their on-base percentage at .307 demonstrates their ability to get runners on base and apply pressure. Their strategy against Skubal will be to elevate his pitch count early and try to get into the Tigers’ bullpen, which has shown vulnerability. Home-field advantage and a solid record against Detroit this season should give the Guardians the confidence to play aggressively.
Trends
Detroit Tigers Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games.
Detroit are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games.
Detroit are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against Cleveland.
Tigers are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games on the road.
Detroit are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Cleveland’s last 15 games at home.
Cleveland are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit.
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Cleveland’s last 15 games against an opponent in the American League.
Cleveland are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games against an opponent in the American League Central Division division.
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians Betting Prediction
Judging by the pitching matchup and considering the recent form of both these teams, this game will probably be close and there won’t be many scoring chances. It will be important for Skubal to get key players out, although the Guardians will make good use of their home field and a few tricks. That is why in-game bets would be the most appropriate mode, perhaps some total bet on the under or the moneyline of the Cleveland team will be cleaner.
Looking at the score prediction, it is safe to expect a tight score and even lower margins, with the Guardians winning over the Tigers. Seek out the premier betting websites and check for the latest odds and interesting proposition wagers that could be worth the risk, such as individual player total strikeouts or number of innings pitched by the starting pitchers. Expect a very exciting contest at Progressive Field as well.
Score Prediction: Guardians 3, Tigers 2.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: October 7, 2024
Last updated: March 31, 2025