Game 3 of the AL Wild Card series is set to take place at Progressive Field between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians. The series is currently tied 1-1, making this game a decisive matchup in the best-of-three series. Fans can catch the action on ABC at 3:08 PM under mild, overcast skies with a light breeze.
The Detroit Tigers, under the guidance of manager A.J. Hinch, concluded the regular season with an 87-75 record. With a slight edge in away performance, they hold a 41-40 record on the road and are looking to leverage their division record of 30-22. In their last outing, the Tigers fell to the Guardians 6-1, showing room for improvement in their offensive output.
Hosting the game, the Cleveland Guardians finished their regular season at 88-74 and boast a strong 45-36 home record. Under manager Stephen Vogt, the Guardians have demonstrated their strength with a solid division record of 36-16. With a win over the Tigers in Game 2, they aim to capitalize on their home advantage to advance in the playoffs.
Guardians vs Tigers AL Wild Card 3 At a Glance
- Game 3 Decider: This is Game 3 of the AL Wild Card with the series tied 1–1 between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians.
- Venue: The game will be held at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, an outdoor stadium.
- Weather: Expect an overcast day with mild temperatures and a light breeze.
- TV Channel: The game will be broadcast on ABC.
- Odds: The Guardians have a slight edge with a moneyline of -116 compared to the Tigers’ -102.
- Detroit’s Record: The Tigers completed the regular season with an 87-75 record.
Guardians Gear Up: A Close Look at the Cleveland Showdown
Team Overview
The Cleveland Guardians are preparing for a critical game against the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians have recently shown impressive hitting capabilities, as evidenced by their recent win over the Tigers with a 6-1 score. This performance was largely fueled by late-game heroics from players like Bo Naylor and Brayan Rocchio.
Despite a challenging season, the Guardians have a reputation for resilience, demonstrated by their strong performances in the postseason. They are looking to build on this momentum as they continue their playoff journey.
Key Players to Watch
José Ramírez, the Guardians’ third baseman, remains a crucial asset to the team. With a batting average of .283, 30 home runs, and 85 RBIs, his consistent performance makes him a player to watch. His leadership on the field often sets the tone for the Guardians’ offense.
Kyle Manzardo has also been pivotal, contributing 27 home runs and 70 RBIs. His offensive capabilities provide depth to the Guardians’ lineup, making him a key player against the Tigers.
Recent Performance
In their last outing against the Detroit Tigers, the Guardians secured a victory with a decisive 6-1 score. The game highlighted the effectiveness of their pitching and the offensive prowess of players like Bo Naylor, who contributed a three-run homer.
This victory was crucial in boosting the team’s morale as they look to continue their success in the postseason.
Pitching Strength
Slade Cecconi is set to start for the Guardians, bringing an ERA of 4.30 into the game. His performance will be critical in stifling the Tigers’ offense and providing a strong foundation for the Guardians to build upon.
With a WHIP of 1.19, Cecconi has shown the ability to keep runners off the base paths, which will be essential in maintaining control of the game.
Betting Trends
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- Runline All Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- Runline as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-2 (0.0%)
Challenges and Opportunities
The Guardians will need to focus on their hitting consistency, as their batting average ranks 19th in the league. Improving their on-base and slugging percentages, currently ranked 21st, will be vital in converting opportunities into runs.
The Tigers’ pitching staff will provide a stern test, and the Guardians must capitalize on any scoring opportunities that arise.
Game Outlook
This game promises to be a pivotal moment in the Guardians’ postseason campaign. With the advantage of playing at home, they will look to leverage their recent momentum and secure another victory.
Fans can expect a competitive game with the Guardians aiming to maintain their postseason aspirations.
Tigers Eyeing Victory: A Deep Dive into Detroit’s Upcoming Game
Team Overview
The Detroit Tigers are entering the postseason with a batting average of .247, ranking 9th in the league. Their ability to get on base is slightly behind, with an on-base percentage of .316, placing them 10th. Slugging percentage also sits at 9th with .413, demonstrating their potential for power hits.
On the pitching side, the Tigers have a mid-range earned run average (ERA) of 3.97, ranking 16th. Their ability to limit opponents’ batting average is notable, sitting at .240, the 10th best in the league. They have shown control in games with 52 quality starts, ranked 14th, indicating consistency from their starters.
Key Players
Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers in home runs with 31, placing him 14th in the league, showcasing his power at the plate. Gleyber Torres has been a solid contributor with a batting average of .256 and 16 home runs. Zach McKinstry adds depth with a .259 average, contributing 12 home runs and showing versatility in his gameplay.
Riley Greene is another standout, holding a batting average of .258 with a team-leading 36 home runs and 111 RBIs, making him a crucial player in clutch situations. Dillon Dingler, despite being a catcher, has managed to hit .278 with 13 home runs, providing offensive strength from behind the plate.
Recent Performances
In their recent postseason game against the Cleveland Guardians, the Tigers suffered a 6-1 loss, indicating struggles in converting scoring opportunities. Casey Mize’s short outing of 3 innings showed a need for the bullpen’s support, which became a pivotal aspect of the game. Offensively, Javier Báez was a notable contributor, going 2 for 4 with an RBI.
In the game prior, the Tigers secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Guardians, demonstrating resilience in close games. Tarik Skubal’s impressive 14 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings were instrumental in this win. Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez provided key hits that helped secure the victory.
Injury Concerns
The Tigers face some challenges with injuries, notably Spencer Torkelson’s day-to-day status due to a foot injury. Alex Cobb and Jason Foley are out for the season with hip and shoulder injuries, respectively. These injuries could impact the Tigers’ depth as they progress in the postseason.
Reese Olson, Jackson Jobe, and Ty Madden are also sidelined, affecting the pitching rotation. Their absence will demand more from other pitchers like Jack Flaherty, who is scheduled to start the next game. His performance will be crucial against the Guardians.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 1-1 (50.0%)
- Runline Last 3: 0-2 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 0-2 (0.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- Runline as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
Guardians vs Tigers Prediction: Under 7.5
The pitching matchup features Jack Flaherty for the Tigers and Slade Cecconi for the Guardians, both of whom have ERAs over 4.00. However, the Guardians’ solid pitching at home, coupled with Flaherty’s potential to perform better in a crucial playoff scenario, suggests a low-scoring game.
Recent head-to-head matchups between these two teams also indicate a tendency towards lower-scoring games, with the UNDER hitting in nine out of the last 13 contests. Additionally, the Guardians have an excellent defensive record, ranking 4th in ERA during the regular season, which could further suppress the scoring.
The weather conditions in Cleveland, with overcast skies and a mild breeze, may also play a role in limiting offensive output. These factors combined with the postseason pressure and strategic pitching changes contribute to a lower-scoring affair.
Considering these elements, the prediction leans towards a game total under 7.5, with the Cleveland Guardians edging out the Detroit Tigers in a tightly contested battle. The projected final score is Guardians 3 – Tigers 2.
- Guardians vs Tigers Prediction: Under 7.5
- Guardians vs Tigers Score: Guardians 3 – Tigers 2
