The Detroit Tigers look to complete the weekend sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 PM EDT as Detroit looks to hand the Guardians their 10th straight loss.
Pitching Matchup:
• Detroit: LHP Tarik Skubal (10-2, 2.15 ERA): Skubal, aiming for his sixth straight win, has been dominant, ranking among the AL’s best pitchers. His low ERA and ability to limit runs make him a formidable starter. The Tigers are 11-4 in games started by Casey Mize, suggesting strong team performance behind their aces.
• Cleveland: RHP Gavin Williams (5-4, 3.86 ERA): Williams has struggled recently, going 0-1 in his last five starts. The Guardians have been shut out five times during their current skid, indicating offensive struggles that could challenge Williams if he allows early runs.
Team Performance:
• Tigers: Detroit is 6-4 in their last 10 games, with a .297 batting average and a 3.99 ERA, outscoring opponents by 23 runs. They lead the AL Central by 12.5 games over Cleveland and Minnesota, showcasing their dominance. Riley Greene leads with a .292 average, 21 HRs, and 69 RBIs, while Spencer Torkelson’s 20th homer powered the July 5 win.
• Guardians: Cleveland is in a slump, with a 2-8 record, a .188 batting average, and a 4.84 ERA, outscored by 26 runs in their last 10 games. José Ramírez (14 HRs, 39 RBIs) is their offensive leader, but the team has been shut out 11 times this season, tied for the most in MLB.
Key Players to Watch:
• Tigers: Spencer Torkelson (20 HRs) and Wenceel Pérez (7 HRs) have been clutch, each homering in the July 4 win. Gleyber Torres, despite a neck contusion on Saturday, may return, but his status is uncertain.
• Guardians: José Ramírez remains a threat, but Steven Kwan’s two-out double on July 4 shows their potential to rally late. Their offense struggles to pressure pitchers, ranking low in power.
Betting Odds:
• Moneyline: Tigers -135, Guardians +115 (implied 57.4% chance of a Tigers win).
• Over/Under: 8.5 runs.
• Coverage: FanDuel Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network.
Injuries:
• Tigers: Gleyber Torres (neck) is day-to-day, Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is on the 10-day IL.
• Guardians: Gabriel Arias (ankle) is on the 10-day IL, Lane Thomas (foot) is day-to-day.
Analysis: The Tigers, with Skubal’s elite pitching and a hot offense, are favored to complete the sweep. Cleveland’s inability to score (shut out in 5 of 9 losses) and Williams’ recent struggles tilt the matchup heavily toward Detroit. Expect the Tigers to control the game early, leveraging their top-3 offense against left-handed pitching, though Cleveland could keep it close if Ramírez sparks a rally.