Steven Kwan will be looking to extend his 17-game on-base streak as the Cleveland Guardians (16-19) host the Detroit Tigers (16-18) at Progressive Field on Tuesday. The Tigers took Monday’s series opener 6-2, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season.
Joey Wentz went 5.2 innings to get the win, giving up two runs on three hits. Andy Ibanez was 2 for 3 with a home run and three runs in the win. Eric Haase went 3 for 4 with two runs. Jose Ramirez went 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Guardians.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 5.14 ERA) is set to get the start for Detroit. The righty allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, an 8-1 road win over the Mets on Wednesday. He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out one and walking two.
Lorenzen is making his first appearance against the Guardians this season. Lorenzen made one start against the Guardians in 2022, a 3-0 home victory for the Angels on April 25. He allowed three hits over six scoreless innings, striking out three and walking four.
For Cleveland, RHP Shane Bieber (2-1, 2.96 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Tigers. Bieber made four appearances against the Tigers in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 29 and walking six over 27.2 innings (2-2, 2.60).
In his last start on Wednesday, Bieber took a no-decision on the road against the Yankees. He threw eight innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking one in the 4-3 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Detroit has averaged 5.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.7, while performing better across the board (.270/.323/.444). Against right-handed pitchers like Bieber this season, the Tigers have a .644 OPS, third lowest in MLB.
Zach McKinstry is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .760 OPS in 71 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.5 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.194/.250/.256).
The Guardians have a .626 OPS against right-handers in 2023, lowest in MLB. With a .941 OPS over 90 at-bats, Ramirez has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 8-11 away from Comerica Park in 2023, scoring 3.3 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. Cleveland has gone 6-10 at Progressive Field this season, averaging 2.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field, Cleveland is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Tigers are second in the AL Central, two games behind the division-leading Twins. The Guardians are third in the AL Central, three games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
