Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers 5/10/23

Eduardo Rodriguez, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the Detroit Tigers (16-19) into Progressive Field on Wednesday as they face off against the Cleveland Guardians (17-19) with the three-game series in the balance.

The Guardians evened the series 1-1 after winning 2-0 on Tuesday, their second head-to-head victory in five games this season. Shane Bieber threw six scoreless innings – striking out nine – for the win, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his 13th save with a scoreless ninth.

Amed Rosario went 4 for 4 with a triple and one RBI in the win. Spencer Torkelson was 3 for 4 with a double for the Tigers. Akil Baddoo went 3 for 3.

ON THE MOUND

Rodriguez (3-2, 1.81 ERA) is in line to get the start for Detroit. The southpaw ranks third in the AL in ERA. Rodriguez threw eight scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 home win over the Mets on Thursday.

He got the win, yielding two hits while striking out nine and walking one. Rodriguez has made one previous start against the Guardians this season, a 1-0 home victory on April 18. He allowed four hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out 10.

For Cleveland, right-hander Peyton Battenfield (0-3, 4.07 ERA) takes the mound. He has made one prior start against the Tigers this season, giving up one run over six innings in a 1-0 road defeat on April 18. He gave up three hits and walked three, while striking out five in the loss.

In his last start on Friday, Battenfield took the loss at home against the Twins. He threw seven innings and gave up two runs on two hits, striking out seven, in the 2-0 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Detroit has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.6. Against righties like Battenfield this season, the Tigers have a .641 OPS, third lowest in MLB.

Zach McKinstry is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .755 OPS in 75 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 2.0 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.5 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.191/.241/.270).

The Guardians have a .635 OPS against lefties in 2023, third lowest in MLB. With a .879 OPS over 35 at-bats, Josh Bell has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Detroit is 8-12 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.2 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Cleveland has gone 7-10 at home this season, averaging 2.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Cleveland is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Tigers are third in the AL Central, two games behind the division-leading Twins. The Guardians are second in the AL Central, two games behind the Twins.