Tigers vs Indians Baseball Picks
Detroit has won their last 6 games and has the best record in the league. They are in the top 5 in scoring and runs allowed and just dominated Boston over the weekend giving up only 4 runs over the three game road sweep.
Detroit Tigers (27-12) vs. Cleveland Indians (19-25)
Monday May 19
Progressive Field – Cleveland, OH
7:05PM
Probable Pitchers
DET: Drew Smyly (L)
CLE: Corey Kluber (R)
Moneyline: Detroit -113, Cleveland +103
Total: 8
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Detroit
After a slow start that had some questioning his contract extension Miguel Cabrera is third in the league in RBIs and batting over .300.
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The Tigers have 4 regulars above that mark making up for the fact that new 3B Nick Castellanos has struggled with the stick early.
This is the best team in baseball right now.
Drew Smyly might be bringing up the rear of the best rotation in the Majors but he is no slouch.
The lefty has a 2-2 record and nice peripherals in his first season as a regular starter. He was roughed up in his first start of the season but since then has been giving the Tigers a chance to win every time out. He has to watch his homers though.
In just 33 innings this season (mostly starting) he has given up as many homers as he did all of last season in more than 70 innings in relief.
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Cleveland
Cleveland got hammered at home over the weekend by Oakland and it won’t get much better with Detroit coming to town.
They are currently in last place and have little significant hope for much improvement.
This team was due for a fall after last year’s surprise playoff performance but I don’t think anyone saw them falling to the bottom of the division. They have only played 2 games against Detroit so far and split them.
If they are going to start getting back into the race they need to come up with a series victory.
Corey Kluber has emerged as the ace of the Indians staff so far leading the team in wins, ERA and strikeouts.
The latter has been a pleasant development as he is now averaging better than a K per inning, well above his historical rates.
A lot of those great numbers have been built up lately as Kluber has been superb over the last month including his best game as a Major Leaguer in which he struck out 13 over 8IP with just three hits allowed against the White Sox.
With Justin Masterson potentially on the way out it is nice to see they have someone to take the mantle from him.
When the Tigers play it is getting harder to find good value but this is a good spot. They are on the road and Smyly doesn’t draw the interest of their other starters. Throw in an opposing ace and it is easy to see why.
Cleveland is in a rut and this situation is far from ideal for getting out of it. Take Detroit.
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Detroit 6 – Cleveland 5
