The Guardians broke out for 6 runs against the Tigers on Wednesday, forcing a deciding Game 3 in their AL Wild Card series. Both teams will trot out underwhelming starters for the rubber game, with Guardians SP Slade Cecconi (7-7) facing Tigers SP Jack Flaherty (8-15).
The Tigers and Guardians had quick hooks with their starting pitchers in Game 2, limiting both of them to fewer than five innings. Let’s break down what the Game 3 starting pitching matchup could mean for our Tigers vs. Guardians picks on PrizePicks.
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Tigers vs. Guardians Prediction, Picks for AL Wild Card
Despite the series being tied 1-1, the Tigers have scored a total of 3 runs across the two games. That’s in stark contrast to the regular season, when they scored the 11th-most runs in baseball. While the Guardians broke out for 6 runs in Game 2, they scored the third-fewest runs in baseball during the regular season.
Tigers
The Tigers were 46-35 at home this season, but just 41-40 on the road. Including the regular season, Detroit is 2-6 over their last eight games versus the Guardians. In six of those games, they scored 2 or fewer runs.
Guardians
Despite winning the AL Central and finishing with a record of 88-74, the Guardians had a -6 run differential for the season. They are the only team that finished with a winning record and had a negative run differential. For comparison, the Tigers were +67.
Tigers vs. Guardians Picks & MLB DFS
Here are three of the top Tigers vs. Guardians picks on PrizePicks for Thursday, including Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez and Tigers OF Riley Greene.
Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez vs. Tigers Projection: 7 Hitter Fantasy Score
- After going 1-for-3 with 1 walk in Game 1, Ramirez went 0-for-1 with 3 walks and 1 run scored in Game 2.
- With the Guardians making a push for a playoff spot, their star third baseman went 16-for-51 (.314) with a .426 OBP, 2 home runs, 8 RBI, and 12 runs scored over their final 14 games.
- Ramirez has been a model of consistency, finishing with a wOBA of at least .360 and an ISO of at least .219 in five of the last six seasons.
- He also has a history of a good eye at the plate, recording a 9.9% walk rate and an 11.9% strikeout rate for his career.
- Flaherty allowed a 10.3% barrel rate and a 43.8% hard-hit rate during the regular season, both of which were the highest marks of his career.
Guardians SP Slade Cecconi vs. Tigers Projection: 3.5 Strikeouts
- Cecconi recorded at least 4 strikeouts in 13 of his 23 starts this season.
- The right-hander faced the Tigers two times and finished with at least 5 strikeouts in both outings.
- The Tigers struck out the fifth-most times in baseball this season.
- While the Tigers recorded a .768 OPS at home, they had just a .692 OPS on the road.
Tigers OF Riley Greene vs. Guardians Projection: 5 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Greene has recorded 1 hit and 1 run scored in both games of this Wild Card series.
- With his 17.1% barrel rate, Greene hit a career-high 36 home runs this season.
- The star outfielder only has a .328 wOBA and a .199 ISO at home, but he has posted a .358 wOBA and a .271 ISO on the road.
- Although left-handed pitchers held Riley to a .620 OPS this year, he posted a .886 OPS against righties.
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It’s win or go home for the Tigers and Guardians on Thursday. It’s not the best pitching matchup between Flaherty and Cecconi, so don’t be surprised if we see bullpens play a major role in the matchup. The Guardians will look for continued excellence at the plate from their star slugger Ramirez, while Greene will try to stay hot on the road for the Tigers.
Tigers vs. Guardians Game 3 brings a bevy of other projections to consider on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less for at least two MLB player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks and win real money if your picks are correct.
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