Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians: Preview, Predictions and Picks for May 7, 2024

Published on:
May 7, 2024 9:18 AM
The Cleveland Guardians, who lead the AL Central with a 23-12 record, will continue their series against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 6:10 PM. The Guardians, currently on a 3-game home winning streak, hold the series lead with a 1-0 advantage over the Tigers, who are fourth in the division with an 18-17 record. This matchup is a crucial opportunity for Detroit to narrow the gap in the standings, facing a strong Cleveland team with a solid 11-5 home record.
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Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Guardians

Tigers vs Guardians starting pitchers

In the upcoming series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians, all eyes will be on the mound as Kenta Maeda and Logan Allen are set to start. Maeda, pitching for the Tigers, enters the game with a 5.02 ERA and a WHIP of 1.22, reflecting some struggles to consistently fend off opposing hitters, indicated by the 28 hits and 8 home runs he's allowed over 28.2 innings. His counterpart, Logan Allen of the Guardians, also shows vulnerability with a slightly higher ERA at 5.11 and a WHIP of 1.41 after relinquishing 40 hits across 37 innings pitched. Both pitchers will be keen on tightening their performance as they face off, each aiming to dominate and help steer their team to a crucial mid-season victory in this AL Central matchup.

Tigers vs Guardians game preview

As the Detroit Tigers prepare to take on the Cleveland Guardians, their performance at the plate is worth noting, currently ranking considerably low in several key batting metrics within the MLB. Despite their 22nd position in runs scored and an equally modest team batting average of .223, Detroit has shown flashes of potency through the talents of outfielder Riley Greene. Greene, with a batting average of .266 and leading the team with 9 home runs, is a standout player the Guardians’ pitchers must be wary of. The Tigers' strategy likely hinges on exploiting their moments at bat, given their pitching staff, led by starter Kenta Maeda, who needs consistent run support to notch a win against a highly competitive Guardians team.

On the other side, the Cleveland Guardians are coming into the game with a solid home win streak and a commendable team performance that's placed them at the top of the AL Central. Despite suffering from offensive setbacks due to injuries such as that of Steven Kwan, their consistent performance in both scoring and base-stealing—ranked 7th in runs scored and bases stolen in the MLB—has kept their momentum alive. Start pitcher Logan Allen will be tasked with maintaining the team's pitching steadiness, which combined with their offensive hustles, aims to exploit the Tigers' weaknesses. Effective use of their speed on the bases and disciplined hitting could be key for the Guardians to extend their dominance at home within their division.

Cleveland Guardians injuries

  • Nic Enright (RP): Day-To-Day
  • Eli Morgan (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Angel Martinez (2B): 60-Day-IL
  • James Karinchak (RP): 60-Day-IL
  • Joey Cantillo (RP): Day-To-Day

Detroit Tigers injuries

  • Wenceel Perez (RF): Day-To-Day
  • Garrett Hill (RP): Day-To-Day
  • Daniel Cabrera (RF): Out
  • Luis Santana (3B): Day-To-Day
  • Blair Calvo (RP): Day-To-Day

Tigers vs Guardians predictions

As the Detroit Tigers roll into Progressive Field to take on the Cleveland Guardians, the stakes and the betting odds are offering up a spicy dish of baseball intrigue. The Guardians are sitting pretty as the favorites with current odds at -130, up slightly from the opening line of -125. It's a testament to their solid performance on home turf this season and a reflection of their pole position in the AL Central. But as any seasoned bettor or baseball sage would tell you, these mid-season skirmishes come packed with unpredictability, making the Tigers' underdog status a tantalizing prospect for the daring heart.

Swinging into the specifics, Kenta Maeda is up on the mound for the Tigers, and while his season has been a bit of a roller coaster (ERA floating around 5.02), his strikeout game isn't something you shrug off at 22 Ks over 28 innings. On the other hand, Logan Allen donning the Guardians' colors has been striking out batters left and right with 31 Ks in 37 innings, though his ERA is also north of 5. Looking at the bat wielders, expect Riley Greene to potentially give the Tigers a much-needed spark with his .266 batting average and his ability to power it out of the park. The Guardians have their powerhouse in Jose Ramirez, who's consistently clutch with his 28 RBIs and a knack for game-changing hits. Putting these factors in the baseball cauldron, I’m swinging for a Guardians win. The Tigers just don't have enough consistency in their swing, and the Guardians are ruthlessly effective at home. While the Tigers might roar in earlier innings, anticipate the Guardians to have the tactical finesse to close it out by the ninth. Buckle up for an intense ride in Cleveland; this one's set to be a nail-biter.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians Betting Odds

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