Skip to content

Tigers vs Guardians ALDS Odds: More Motown Magic?

  • The Tigers are on a great postseason run, but their division-winning opponent, the Guardians, will try to end it.
  • The Guardians have not played in five days, which could lead to an unpredictable opening game.
  • Check out all the MLB playoff odds at the sportsbook.

 

It is a shock that the Detroit Tigers have made the playoffs and are now in the American League Division Series. They will face one of their division rivals, the Clevland Guardians, who won the AL Central this season. The familiarity between these teams can make this series interesting for MLB predictions.

Tigers vs Guardians ALDS Odds: More Motown Magic?
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers - Tim Warner/Getty Images/AFP

As underdogs, the Tigers made MLB news by beating the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round and sweeping them. It was only two games, but the Tigers eliminated a team that had made seven straight ALCS appearances.

Because the Guardians had the second-best record in the American League, they didn’t have to play in the Wild Card, getting a direct path to the ALDS. They have a 7-6 record against the Tigers in 2024, leaning odds in the Guardians’ favor. However, the teams have not played since July 30.

 

Tigers vs Guardians Series Information

  • Game: Tigers (86-76) vs. Guardians (92-69)
  • Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH (Games 1, 2, 5) and Comerica Park, Detroit, MI (Games 3, 4)
  • Day/Time: Saturday, Oct. 5 (1:08 p.m. ET), Monday, Oct. 5 (4:08 p.m. ET), Wednesday, Oct.9 (TBD), If Necessary, Thursday, Oct. 10 (TBD), If Necessary, Friday, Oct. 12 (TBD)
  • Tigers vs Guardians Livestream: MLB.TV

 

Join BetUS and bet now! Get a $450 MLB Bonus Available for $200 Bets on your first time deposit!

 

Tigers vs Guardians Series Betting Preview

Detroit Embracing Underdog Role

Even though the Tigers were probably the hottest team going into the playoffs, they were still the underdogs in the last series against the Astros. The Tigers were 20-10 in their final 30 games leading up to the postseason. I didn’t even have faith in them, picking the Astros to win the series.

 

But former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, who has been with the Tigers since 2021, could not have said it any better. He asked his team, “I’m not sure who, but somebody let the Tigers get hot” in the post-series celebrations. The Tigers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2014, when they last made an ALDS appearance.

There always seems to be a team of destiny in every postseason, and MLB odds are maybe starting to think it’s the Tigers. Their odds of reaching the World Series are now at +350, the third-best in the AL. It is not much higher than the Guardians, who are second at +325.

The big question is, can the Detroit Tigers keep this going? They did not exactly show off a star-studded lineup against the Astors, winning the two games in the Wild Card by scores of 3-1 and 5-2. Parker Meadows hit a solo home run in Game 2, while the series leader in RBIs was Andy Ibanez, with only three in three at-bats. Ibanez doubled in the eighth inning in Game 2, knocking in the winning runs.

On top of that, there are some pitching concerns for the Tigers. In Game 1, they leaned on the AL triple crown winner, Tarik Skubal, who was fantastic. He pitched six scoreless innings on Tuesday, allowing just five base runners and striking out six batters.

Skubal is a massive reason to have a little faith in the Tigers in MLB lines at -105 to win the series. However, the Tigers’ starters are a little shaky after him. Instead of going with a traditional starter in Game 2 against the Astros, the Tigers went to their bullpen, with no pitcher going over 1.2 innings.

That is a concern in a possible five-game series. If Skubal gets a chance to pitch twice, that could drastically shift this series, but if not, the Tigers’ run could end.

 

Guardians the Higher Seed for a Reason

On the other hand, the Guardians have been at home doing nothing since their regular season ended on Sept. 28. That is five full days since the Guardians played a game while the Tigers will be ready and hot coming into Game 1 of the ALDS.

Last year, three of the four teams that won the Wild Card series went on to win the opening game of the ALDS. Something about being in rhythm could help the Tigers, which could be an issue for the Guardians in MLB betting.

However, while pitching rotations are usually kept under wraps during the postseason, we at least know the Guardians’ Game 1 starter. It is going to Tanner Bibee, who has been solid for Cleveland this season with a 12-8 record and 3.47 ERA.

Bibee has started four games against the Tigers, the last one on July 29, with the  Cleveland Guardians winning three of those matchups. While he does have a 4.25 ERA against the Tigers, Cleveland is -145 in online betting to win the series opener.

Then the Guardians lineup is headlined by two players who need to deliver in MLB player props for the team to win. Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor both have over 30 home runs and 105 RBIs on the season. The offense runs through them, and it will be tough for the Guardians to get runs if they do not get going.

 

Series Prediction: Guardians 3-1

Even though the Tigers are coming into this series hot, their pitching is a concern, making it hard to back them in MLB picks. After Skubal, there is a clear starting pitching concern, and the one win the Tigers should get will be with him on the mound. Both teams don’t have elite lineups that will put up massive runs, meaning solid pitching will be crucial. The Guardians have the overall advantage in that department.

 

Bet on this MLB Series Pick: Guardians (-125)

 

Questions Of The Day

Which team has the best odds of reaching the World Series?


The Guardians’ odds of reaching the World Series are +325, the second-lowest in the AL. The Tigers are close in third at +350.

Which player will have the most significant impact on the series?


Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal could decide the series if he starts twice.

 

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

Did you find this article interesting?

Comments (0)

Featured Picks

Related News