Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians Betting Preview

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The Detroit Tigers will be taking on their AL Central foe Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. SportsTime Ohio will be showing the action and the game will get underway at 6:10 p.m. ET.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians Odds

Vegas is listing Cleveland (-255) as the favorite over Detroit (+230). Bettors can wager on the games total with odds posted at -120 for over 9 runs and even money (+100) for under 9. Runline odds stand at +105 for taking the Tigers +1.5 runs and -125 for the Indians -1.5.

The Indians are 41-33 straight up (SU) and 34-39 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 8.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 8.8 units (ATS). Cleveland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Tigers have gone 36-40 SU this year and are 42-33 ATS. In total, the teams accumulated 8.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.6 units ATS. Detroit’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.

Cleveland games have an over/under record of 38-33-2 so far in 2018. Detroit has been a good under bet with a total record of 31-42-2.

Francisco Liriano is getting the start for the visiting Tigers. The southpaw Liriano is 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA and 45 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with seven strikeouts and a 6.10 ERA against Cleveland this year (two starts).

The Indians are turning to righty Trevor Bauer (6-5, 2.50 ERA), who has 129 strikeouts and 33 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.09. Bauer is 3-0 with 29 strikeouts and a 1.17 ERA over three starts against Detroit this year.

Detroit’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.28 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.16 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.50, along with a WHIP of 1.27 and a K/9 of 8.33.

The Tigers offense has slashed .250/.312/.397 on its way to 4.1 runs scored per game this year, including 3.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).

Detroit’s hitters have been led by outfielder Nicholas Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias. Castellanos is hitting .302/.344/.487 with nine home runs, 41 RBIs and 36 runs scored, while Iglesias (.274/.319/.397) is up to two homers, 28 RBIs, 26 runs and 12 steals.

For the home team, Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The teams starters have a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.36 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In 36 games against AL Central opponents, Indians starters have an ERA of 2.64 and the bullpens ERA is 3.64.

The Cleveland offense is putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 5.3 per game against divisional foes and 7.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .274/.393/.463 over its last five matchups and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor and left fielder Michael Brantley have paced the Indians offense this year. Lindor is slashing .288/.367/.533 with 17 home runs, 41 RBIs, 58 runs and 10 stolen bases, while Brantley’s line sits at .314/.357/.512 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs and 38 runs.

The Tigers have gained 1.4 units and are 29-27 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 20 of those games, compared to 34 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Indians have netted 2.7 units and are 11-10 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 12 of those games, as opposed to nine that’ve cashed the under.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians Free Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – OVER

Betting Trends

  • The under has hit in three of Cleveland’s last seven games.
  • Cleveland has recorded 22.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 25.6 over its last five.
  • The Tigers have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.