Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers Prediction 8-20-23 MLB Picks

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians clash Sunday in game 4 of an MLB series at Progressive Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview

The Tigers look to play spoiler after winning 7 of their last 11 games. The Tigers are 7.5 games back in the AL Central. The Tigers pitching staff is 19th in ERA (4.44), 14th in WHIP (1.27) and 28th in quality starts (28). The Tigers' offense is 29th in runs per game (3.95), 27th in batting average (.235) and 24th in homers (123). Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 106 hits and 66 RBI, while Riley Greene and Javier Baez have combined for 197 hits and 84 RBI. Eduardo Rodriguez gets the ball, and he is 8-6 with a 3.13 ERA and 109 strikeouts this season. Rodriguez is 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA and 35 strikeouts in his career against the Guardians.

Detroit Tigers Team Facts

• The Tigers have won seven of their last eight day games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have covered the run line nine of their last 10 day games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as road underdogs against AL Central opponents.
• The Tigers have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven day games against AL Central opponents.
• The Tigers have led after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against the Guardians at Progressive Field.

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Guardians need a win after losing 9 of their last 14 games. The Guardians are 5 games back in the AL Central. The Guardians pitching staff is 3rd in ERA (3.76), 15th in WHIP (1.27) and 13th in quality starts (45). The Guardians' offense is 27th in runs per game (4.02), 17th in batting average (.252) and 30th in homers (89). Steven Kwan leads the Guardians with 133 hits and 42 RBI, while Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor have combined for 240 hits and 145 RBI. Logan Allen gets the ball, and he is 6-5 with a 3.33 ERA and 95 strikeouts this season. This will be Allen’s first career game against the Tigers.

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

• The Guardians have lost five of their last six games as favorites after playing the previous day.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against the Tigers following a home loss.
• The Guardians have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
• The Guardians have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
• The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as favorites against American League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (89).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (862).
• The Detroit Tigers ranks 29th in the league for runs scored this season (486).
• The Detroit Tigers ranks 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.378).

Randy’s Pick

You can make a strong case for the Tigers with Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound, but I'd need plus money to really get behind them. The Guardians are the better team despite this recent stretch, they're at home and Logan Allen has been just as good with his 3.33 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. It's a pick em line and I have to give the edge to the home team, that's the better side no matter how you slice it.