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Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians ALDS predictions

Posted on by Kennedy
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians ALDS predictions

The Detroit Tigers, fresh off an impressive win over the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series, will look to continue their improbable run in the MLB postseason with an ALDS matchup against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday begins.

The Guardians won the season series 7-6, but the two teams have not played since Cleveland's victory on July 30, a few hours after the MLB trade deadline. A little less than two weeks later, the Tigers went on a 34-13 run to move up 10 games in the wild-card race and secure the franchise's first playoff berth in a decade.

Can the Tigers pull off a similar upset against the AL Central champs, who had a week to rest? Four Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on the topic:

SCOUTING THE SERIES: Who has ALDS benefit?

Shawn Windsor

The Tigers like to come from behind. Well, maybe they don't like it, but they definitely don't worried To. This will work against Cleveland as long as it doesn't come down to the 9th inning. Stay away from Emmanuel Clase and his 100 mph cutter and the Tigers should be fine. Also, who should I pick against this team at this point? When a team embarks on a ride that's difficult to fully explain, it's best not to question it. Plus, this is still just a best-of-five series, and that seems doable for AJ, his merry band of bullpen pitchers. The choice: Tigers in 5.

Jeff Seidel

When you use that many young pitchers, at some point someone is going to have an off day. And Cleveland could put up big numbers in a game. But the Tigers have been playing playoff-style baseball for so long that nothing can faze them. Give the Tigers a win in a Skubal start. Or maybe two for a quick break. The choice: Tigers in 4.

Carlos Monarrez

It's so hard to pick against the red-hot Tigers right now, and if this series wasn't against a division opponent, it would be against me would select them. But the Guardians know the Tigers too well and won't be surprised by their pitching chaos. They're also rested heading into two home games where they had the best record in the AL. Tarik Skubal won't start Game 1 on short rest, so the Tigers are hoping they can get a Game 5 start from him after Game 2. The choice: Guardian in 5.

Ryan Ford

This match is closer than it seems based on the seeding. We have set up the teams so that they each advance to six categories. The regular season series backed that up – the Guardians won seven of 13 games…but five of those wins came by one run, and two came in extra innings. And here's where the Guardians will have the edge, even if Skubal starts Game 5: Cleveland prevails at Progressive Field, leaving the Tigers vowing to win the AL Central next year. The choice: Guardian in 5.

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