Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians: Odds, Spread, and Totals
Regular-season games do not get much bigger than tonight’s meeting between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians. Two weeks ago, the AL Central looked like it was salted away…
Regular-season games do not get much bigger than tonight's meeting between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians. Two weeks ago, the AL Central looked like it was salted away in favor of the Tigers, but a 9-1 stretch from the Guardians has drawn Cleveland to within a game of their rivals, with a chance to tie on the line in this game. This three-game series will likely determine the winner of the division and potentially the only team to represent the AL Central in the postseason.
The Tigers are lucky to be able to call on pitcher Tarik Skubal here. Skubal has been the best starter on the team by a long shot, posting a 2.23 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP over 30 games. Those numbers are indicative of a Cy Young-level of pitching, which the Tigers will need to help secure a victory in what feels like a playoff game in late September. Making this matchup even more encouraging is Skubal's history against the Guardians. He has faced them three times this season, accumulating 22 innings of work while allowing a single run. The lefty clearly dominates Cleveland, and a continuation of those performances would almost certainly see the Tigers stave off the Guardians for one more day.
Attempting to keep pace with Detroit's starter is Gavin Williams. Williams has been surprisingly reliable in his third season with the Guardians, earning a 3.06 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 30 starts. Like Skubal, he has an excellent history in this matchup, as he held the Tigers scoreless over 11 innings against them this season. This should be one of the best pitching duels of the league, especially when considering the stakes attached to the game.
Spread
- Tigers -1.5 (+124)
- Guardians +1.5 (-136)
Moneyline
- Tigers -148
- Guardians +136
Totals
- Over 6.5 (-105)
- Under 6.5 (-107)
The above data was collected on Sept. 23, 2025, and may have changed since writing.
Tigers vs Guardians Betting Trends
- The Tigers are 71-85 ATS this season.
- The Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games against the Guardians.
- The over is 42-32-1 in Detroit's road games.
- The Guardians are 85-71 ATS this year.
- The Guardians are 30-19 ATS against AL Central opponents.
- The under is 81-66-9 in Cleveland's games this season.
Tigers vs Guardians Injury Reports
Detroit Tigers
- Colt Keith, 3B - Out.
- Matt Vierling, OF - Out.
Cleveland Guardians
- Nic Enright, RP - Out.
Tigers vs Guardians Prediction and Pick
There are a couple of solid picks on the board, but the best of them is Detroit's money line. The price is a little bit steep, but it should probably be a little worse. Skubal has looked completely untouchable against the Guardians this season, and he has demonstrated the ability to work deep into games. Williams has been nearly as successful against the Tigers, but it is unlikely he will be able to outlast Skubal. The Tigers will get to Cleveland's bullpen in the sixth or seventh inning and should find a way to win from there.
