Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers August 9 Betting Preview

AL Central rivals will collide as the Cleveland Guardians (56-52) and the Detroit Tigers (43-67) square off Tuesday in the first of a three-game series. The Tigers will host this one at Comerica Park in Detroit with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET

The Guardians just finished a four-game series with the Houston Astros. After dropping the first two games, Cleveland’s pitching took matters into their own hands winning the last two games 4-1 and 1-0.

In Sunday’s finale, Triston McKenzie was sensational, allowing just two hits in eight innings while striking out eight. Emmanuel Clase picked up his 24th save of the season to lock it down.

The Tigers did not have as much luck in their last series dropping three of four. In Sunday’s finale, they lost 7-0.

Guardians vs. Tigers August 9 Odds

The Guardians are the favorites despite playing on the road. They are -180 to win while the Tigers’ moneyline sits at +152. The runline features Detroit +1.5 (-118), and the over/under for total runs sits at 7.5.

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Pitching Matchup

Trying to keep the string of solid starts alive, the Guardians will turn to their ace Shane Bieber. In 20 games this season, Bieber is 6-6 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and has 126 strikeouts in 124.2 innings. He has won back-to-back starts, allowing just three runs in his last 13 innings of work.

The Tigers will counter with 28-year-old lefty Tyler Alexander. He is 2-5 in 16 games with a 4.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and has 24 strikeouts in 42.1 innings. He has taken back-to-back losses coming into play Tuesday.

Guardians Look To Keep Pressure On AL Central

At 56-52, the Cleveland Guardians sit just a game behind the Minnesota Twins for first in the AL Central. With the White Sox just a game behind them, all three teams will be battling it out down the stretch this season.

Keep an eye on Andres Gimenez in this one. Albeit in just three at bats against Alexander, he is three for three with two home runs and three runs batted in. Austin Hedges and Jose Ramirez have also homered off the lefty.

Speaking of Ramirez, he has been the Guardians’ best hitters versus lefties. In 102 at bats versus southpaws, he is hitting .245/.325/.441 with four home runs and 17 runs batted in.

Tigers Looking To Play Spoilers

Sitting 15 games out of first in the AL Central, the Tigers’ chances of making the postseason are minimal at best. Still, Detroit has the opportunity to play a major role in the postseason as they can play spoiler in their own division against the Guardians, Twins, and White Sox.

Against the Guardians’ Shane Bieber, Jonathan Schoop has the best numbers in his career for the Tigers. He is hitting .296 in 27 at bats against the righty. He also has a solo home run in that span.

Miguel Cabrera and Willi Castro have also homered against Bieber and have combined for nine runs batted in against him.

Bieber Looks To Lock Down Win For Guardians

Despite their success on the season, the Guardians have actually had some difficulty playing at Comerica Park. In their last five road games against the Tigers, they are winless.

Ace Shane Bieber is going to try to end that streak against a Tigers team that is just 3-6 in their last nine home games overall. If he can limit the damage offensively, Cleveland should have enough offense to put at least a couple runs on the board against a Tigers’ defense that is allowing 4.41 runs per game to opponents at home this season.