Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Cleveland Guardians (79-71) and the Detroit Tigers (85-66) play the middle contest a 3-game series Wednesday at Comerica Park in Detroit. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (FS1). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Guardians vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 4-4

This is the ninth meeting of the season between these AL Central Division rivals. Cleveland won the first 3 games, but dropped 4 in a row against Detroit. The Guardians stayed hot Tuesday, winning the series opener 7-5 in 10 innings. Cleveland closed to within 5 1/2 games of Detroit in the AL Central Division race, while closing to within 2 1/2 games of the Boston Red Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot.

Cleveland has won 5 games in a row, and 10 of the past 11 games to get back in the hunt. Tuesday's game was tied 3-3, but Guardians LF Steven Kwan, CF Angel Martinez, 3B Jose Ramirez and 1B Kyle Manzardo had 4 straight extra-base hits in the top of the 10th inning. It was the first time the Cleveland franchise had 4 straight extra-base hits in an extra inning since May 10, 1961.

Detroit's Spencer Torkelson did his part, going 4-for-5 with a 2-run homer, while OF Kerry Carpenter swatted a pinch-hit solo homer with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings. Cleveland closer Cade Smith blew the save, his sixth blown chance in the past 21 opportunities.

The Guardians are reportedly shuffling their 6-man rotation, pushing LHP Logan Allen back, with RHP Gavin Williams moved up to Wednesday against the Tigers, and RHP Tanner Bibee set for Thursday's series finale.

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Guardians at Tigers projected starters

RHP Gavin Williams vs. RHP Jack Flaherty

Williams (10-5, 3.16 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 through 156 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 6 K in 3-2 home win vs. Kansas City Royals last Thursday
  • Last 7 starts: 4-1, 2.68 ERA (40 1/3 IP, 12 ER), 17 BB, 35 K, 1.12 WHIP
  • 2025 road stats: 4-3, 3.33 ERA (75 2/3 IP, 28 ER), 12 HR, 44 BB, 60 K, 1.39 WHIP in 14 starts
  • Career vs. Tigers: 1-2, 1.98 ERA (27 1/3 IP, 6 ER), 2 HR, 9 BB, 34 K, 1.02 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 in 5 starts

Flaherty (8-13, 4.69 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 through 151 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 11-1 road victory vs. New York Yankees last Wednesday
  • Last 7 starts: 2-3, 5.75 ERA (36 IP, 23 ER), 8 BB, 34 K, 1.36 WHIP
  • 2025 home stats: 5-7, 4.31 ERA (87 2/3 IP, 42 ER), 15 HR, 31 BB, 105 K, 1.21 WHIP in 16 starts
  • Career vs. Guardians: 2-3, 2.25 ERA (48 IP, 12 ER), 6 HR, 13 BB, 44 K, 0.98 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 in 8 starts

Guardians at Tigers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:14 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Guardians +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Tigers -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-165) | Tigers -1.5 (+140)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Guardians at Tigers picks and predictions

Prediction

Guardians 5, Tigers 4

Moneyline

The GUARDIANS (+125) are worth playing again Wednesday, as manager Stephen Vogt has shaken up his rotation to match up favorably against the Tigers. Cleveland has a more than good chance of picking up the series-clinching victory behind Williams, who has pitched well, especially in his career against the Tigers.

On the flip side, the Tigers are a risky play. They're not playing particularly well, and Flaherty has been a weak link in the rotation most of the season.

Run line/Against the spread

For a bit of insurance, the GUARDIANS +1.5 (-165) aren't priced out of line. The Guardians are 6-0 on the run line in the past 6 instances, including 5 outright wins. Cleveland is 11-4 on the run line in the past 15 games as an underdog, too.

For the Tigers, they're just 2-5 in the past 7 games as a favorite on the run line, losing those 5 non-covers outright. They're 1-3 in Flaherty's past 4 starts, too.

Over/Under

OVER 8.5 (-110) is the lean, but only ever so slightly.

The Under had cashed in 6 games in a row for Cleveland before Tuesday's high-scoring affair, which ended up going Over thanks to the flurry of late-inning and extra-inning runs.

The Tigers have cashed the Over in 7 of the past 8 outings, while going 8-1 in Flaherty's previous 9 starting assignments.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Daniel Dobish, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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