Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers 5/8/23

Two of baseball’s least productive offenses are set to face off at Progressive Field on Monday as the Cleveland Guardians (16-18) host the Detroit Tigers (15-18) for the first of a three-game series. The Tigers are in the midst of a six-game road trip.

They won two out of three in their last series against the Cardinals, dropping the finale 12-6 on Sunday at Busch Stadium. Spencer Torkelson was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs.

The Guardians are in the midst of a nine-game homestand. They won two of three against the Twins in their last series, taking the finale 2-0 on Sunday at Progressive Field. Steven Kwan’s on-base streak is now at 16 games as he went 2 for 4 with one run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Tigers have won two of three in the season series between the AL Central rivals, although they dropped a close one 3-2 in their last meeting on April 19 at Comerica Park. Cal Quantrill threw six scoreless innings to get the win, and Emmanuel Clase earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Joey Wentz (0-3, 6.67 ERA) is slated for the start for Detroit. The left-hander allowed five runs over six innings in his last start, a 6-5 road win over the Mets on Wednesday. He yielded nine hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision.

For Cleveland, right-hander Tanner Bibee (1-0, 2.45 ERA) gets the start. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Tigers. In his last start on Tuesday, Bibee took a no-decision on the road against the Yankees. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out five, in the 4-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Detroit offense is averaging 3.7 runs per game for the season, third lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .229/.294/.357. Javier Baez leads the team in OPS at .714. The left fielder is slashing .259/.325/.389 with three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 14 runs over 31 games.

Over the last five games, though, Detroit has averaged 5.4 runs a game while performing better across the board (.267/.306/.455). Against right-handed pitchers like Bibee this season, the Tigers have a .635 OPS, third lowest in MLB.

Matt Vierling is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .755 OPS in 72 at-bats. Cleveland is slashing .223/.302/.332 for the season and averaging 3.6 runs per game, second lowest in MLB. Jose Ramirez leads the team with an .808 OPS.

The shortstop has three home runs, 18 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .283/.367/.441. Cleveland is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.194/.254/.238).

The Guardians have a .638 OPS against southpaws in 2023, third lowest in the league. With a .883 OPS over 32 at-bats, Josh Bell has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Detroit is 7-11 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.2 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Cleveland has gone 6-9 at Progressive Field this season, averaging 2.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Progressive Field, Cleveland is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.5-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

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