Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the MLB playoff match.
After the first game of the American League Division Series, both teams had the chance to regroup and refresh their pitching rotations during the off day. This was especially crucial for the Detroit Tigers, who suffered a crushing 0:7 defeat in the opener and are looking to bounce back with their ace pitcher, Tarik Skubal, on the mound.
Cleveland Guardians
The total runs has lowered since game one, which comes as no surprise. The Guardians’ defence shone brightly in the opening game, and now with the league's best bullpen (2.57 ERA during the regular season) given an extra day of rest, they look even stronger. Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd will start this time. Having spent eight seasons with the Detroit Tigers before moving to the Guardians last summer, Boyd is well-versed with the intricacies of his former team's hitters. He’s also been delivering stellar performances for his new team, posting a 2.72 ERA across eight starts after returning from the injured list.
Detroit Tigers
Taking the mound for the Detroit Tigers is Tarik Skubal, a former student of Matthew Boyd. The Tigers’ strategy for this series revolves around him. Should Skubal falter, the outlook for the visitors could be grim. Fortunately, the chances of that happening seem slim. The Tigers’ pitcher clinched the prestigious "Triple Crown" this season, leading the American League in wins (18), ERA (2.39), and strikeouts (228).
Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers Prediction
In the opening game, the Cleveland Guardians scored most of their runs (five out of seven) in the first inning, yet even that wasn’t enough for the teams to exceed the total runs projection. With Skubal now stepping in to rescue the Detroit Tigers and likely pitching at least five innings, the chances of a high-scoring affair are even lower. Expect a low-scoring baseball game.
