- Matchup: Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians
- Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
- Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Betting Odds: Detroit Tigers (+126) Cleveland Guardians (-152)
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The Detroit Tigers (87-75) are traveling to Progressive Field on Wednesday to face off against the Cleveland Guardians (88-74) in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card series. Currently, the Tigers are the underdogs at +126, while the Guardians are favored at -152. The over/under for this matchup is set at 9. The starting pitchers for the game will be Jack Flaherty and Slade Cecconi.
The Tigers have averaged 4.7 runs per game, ranking them 11th in Major League Baseball. They have posted a total of 758 runs scored and maintain an on-base percentage (OBP) of .316. This season, the Tigers have hit 244 doubles and 198 home runs, resulting in 724 runs batted in (RBIs) and 1,346 hits, giving them a batting average of .247. With a slugging percentage of .413, they have struck out 1,454 times and drawn 511 walks.
The Tigers’ pitching staff has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.84 and a team WHIP of 1.25. They have allowed 187 home runs and 691 runs scored (ranking 16th in MLB). In terms of hits, they’ve given up 1,309 hits (8.2 per 9 innings) and allowed a total of 630 earned runs. The team’s earned run average (ERA) for the season is 3.95, placing them 16th overall, while recording 1,375 strikeouts and issuing 485 walks. Their FIP stands at 4.05 for the season.
The Tigers’ bullpen has a save rate of 64.5% and has been called upon 142 times in save situations. Out of the inherited 258 runners, 28.7% managed to score. They’ve faced runners in 182 instances and have made 140 appearances in high-leverage situations. With a total of 508 relief pitchers used this year, the Tigers have registered 75 holds, positioned at 26th in MLB. So far, they have secured 40 saves out of 62 opportunities.
This season, the Colorado Rockies have achieved 4,309 putouts, alongside 1,379 assists and committed 79 errors. The Tigers’ fielding rate stands at .986, ranking them 14th in the league, showcasing 128 double plays. They have converted 70.2% of balls put into play into outs throughout their 12,927 innings, slotting them in 13th place in MLB.
Jack Flaherty has pitched 990 innings in his MLB career, amassing 1,130 strikeouts. With a career record of 63 wins and 56 losses, Flaherty boasts a FIP of 3.74 after facing 4,120 batters. His ERA is 3.80 (with 418 earned runs allowed) and a WHIP of 1.199. Flaherty has given up 836 hits (7.6 hits per nine innings) and issued 351 walks.
The Guardians have hit 168 home runs this season and secured 621 RBIs. They have registered 243 doubles, combination with 494 walks, amassing 643 runs all year. Cleveland’s team on-base percentage is .296, along with a team batting average of .226. Their slugging percentage is .373, giving them an average of 3.97 runs per game (28th in MLB). They have struck out 1,344 times (18th in the league) and made 1,199 hits.
The Guardians’ collective WHIP stands at 1.261 with a FIP of 3.95. Their team’s strikeout-to-walk ratio is 8.60 (1,381 strikeouts versus 527 walks). They rank 11th in MLB for the fewest hits allowed, totaling 1,291. The Cleveland pitching staff has allowed 169 home runs and gives up 4.05 runs per 9 innings (6th in the league). Their ERA for the campaign rests at 3.70, allowing 649 runs (593 earned runs).
In 184 save situations, the Guardians have tallied 112 holds and have conversely blown 22 saves. Cleveland has utilized their relievers in 69 save opportunities, achieving 47 saves. Their bullpen has appeared in 192 high-leverage situations and 151 instances with runners on base. The inherited runner score rate stands at 32.5% for 209 opportunities. They rank 6th in MLB for save percentage at 68.1%, having deployed 531 relievers this season.
The Guardians’ defensive efficiency is at 69.8% (17th in MLB) over their 12,978 innings played. They have turned 121 double plays with a fielding percentage of .983 (27th in MLB). Throughout the season, the Guardians have accumulated 1,330 assists, committed 99 errors, and have recorded 4,326 putouts.
Slade Cecconi, carrying a career record of 9-15, has an ERA of 5.07, surrendering 9.3 hits per nine innings. His K/BB ratio is 3.64, having faced 994 batters in his career. Cecconi has permitted 133 earned runs while holding a WHIP of 1.258 and a FIP of 5.0. In his professional career, he has allowed 244 hits and has tallied 193 strikeouts in 236 innings pitched.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB battle against the spread or on the moneyline?
Prediction: Bet on Detroit (+126)
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