Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians kicks off on Monday with the Guardians holding a 1-0 series lead. Game 1 was over before an out was recorded with the Guardians blitzing the Tigers “pitching chaos” for five runs in the first inning on their way to a 7-0 Game 1 victory.

Game 2 is unlikely to be as easy for Cleveland as the Tigers send out lefty Tarik Skubal, the current AL Cy Young Award odds favorite. Cleveland is countering with a lefty of their own in Matthew Boyd.

How will Game 2 play out? Before we make our Tigers vs. Guardians predictions, let us take a look at the top stories and pitching matchups for Game 2.

 

 

 

Tigers vs. Guardians Predictions For AL Divisional Series Game 2

Overall, this is a pretty interesting matchup. On one side, we have the Tigers who are favorites today thanks to Tarik Skubal being on the mound despite the fact that they couldn’t put a run on the board in Game 1.

On the other side, we have the Guardians who will be sending out a lefty of their own in Matthew Boyd but will have to find a way to manufacture runs against one of the league's top pitchers.

The game total for today is also set at just six runs, the lowest total of any playoff game this season. For our Tigers vs. Guardians prediction, we have to consider all the factors here, including the odds suggesting this is going to be a close, low-scoring game here today.

 

 

 

Cleveland Guardians: Guardians Offense vs. Skubal

Despite winning Game 1 in a blowout fashion the Guardians are actually underdogs, at home, in Game 2. The reason? The Tigers are sending out their “Ace” in Tarik Skubal who is the current betting favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award.

If the Guardians are to grab a 2-0 series lead, they will need to do so by getting to the top pitcher in the AL this season or hope the Cleveland pitching can keep this game close enough for the Guardians to try and score runs off of a good Tigers bullpen.

Either way, the top story for the Guardians today is whether or not their bats can get it done against one of the game's elite pitchers.

 

 

 

Detroit Tigers: Can Tarik Skubal Continue His Dominance

Easy story here. We saw Skubal win Game 1 of the AL Wild Card as he shut down the potent Houston Astros lineup, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out seven.

In his lone start against Cleveland this year we saw Skubal allow 10 hits but just one earned run over seven innings while striking out six. It’s unusual for a pitcher to allow 10 hits but only one run so it's possible luck was on his side that day.

I’d look for the Tigers to ride their “Ace” for as long as they can here in Game 2 with hopes of evening the series at a game apiece. 

 

 

 

Tigers vs. Guardians Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

We’re about to break down our Tigers vs. Guardians predictions, but first, here are the current Tigers vs. Guardians odds, spreads, totals and betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook:

Run Line

  • Tigers -1.5 (+145)
  • Guardians +1.5 (-175)

Moneyline

  • Tigers: -130
  • Guardians: +110

Total

  • 6.0 (Over -105/Under -115)

 

 

 

Tigers vs. Guardians Starting Pitcher & Lineup

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

Not sure much else needs to be said here. Skubal was the top pitcher in the AL this season, going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA while striking out 228 over 192.0 innings.

He faced the Guardians once this year and allowed just one run over seven innings though he did give up 10 hits in that game.

When it comes to playoff performances, we saw Skubal shut down the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series which allowed the Tigers to win the game and eventually sweep Houston out of the playoffs.

This certainly will not be an easy matchup but the reasons the Tigers are road favorites today is due to the man they are sending to the mound.

Matthew Boyd, Cleveland Guardians

Boyd appeared in just eight games for the Guardians this season, dealing with injuries that landed him on the IL to begin the year but when he came off of the IL, he was really good for Cleveland. In eight starts, Boyd went 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA while striking out 46 over 39.2 innings.

The Tigers offense really struggled against left-handed pitching this season and though we saw them put up a big number against Astros lefty Framber Valdez in Game 1 of the Wild Card series, that has not been a typical output for this Tigers offense.

Boyd did not face Detroit this season in any of his eight starts but if he can carry his regular season form into today’s playoff matchup, he will give the Guardians a chance to steal Game 2.

 

 

 

Tigers vs. Guardians Game Total: Under 6.0 Runs (-115 on DraftKings)

With Skubal on the mound for the Tigers and Detroit’s season-long struggles against left-handed pitching, we are going with under 6.0 runs over on DraftKings Sportsbook for our Tigers vs. Guardians predictions for Game 2.

Skubal has shut down teams all season long as evidenced by his 2.39 ERA and the Tigers this season ranked 27th in wOBA, 26th in ISO and 26th in batting average against lefties this season.

 

 

 

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