Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers Prediction and Picks - Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Detroit welcomes one of its AL Central rivals to Motor City on Tuesday with the division title almost in its hands. Find out more about this matchup with our Guardians vs. Tigers prediction and picks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm ET at Comerica Park, home of the Tigers.
Need a hot take on the MLB Season? Check out our Free MLB Picks and cash in.
Guardians grab crucial sweep
The Cleveland Guardians (78-71) had no margin for error over the weekend and delivered as they swept the White Sox to keep their postseason hopes alive. While the AL Central title is almost out of reach, a big finish to the season could see Cleveland still push into the Wild Card spots. The Guardians sit 2.5 back from Houston in the final playoff spot in the AL, but they will have to be at their best: their remaining schedule includes two series against the Tigers and three games against fellow Wild Card hopefuls Texas, against whom they finish the regular season on September 26-28.
Joey Cantillo is up on Tuesday to take on the Tigers. Cantillo began the 2025 season in the bullpen but shifted to the rotation just before the All-Star Break, and his results since have been encouraging. The lefty has gone 4-3 as a starter this year with an ERA of 3.12, striking out 56 batters in 52.0 innings. He has gone at least 5.0 innings and given up one earned run or fewer in his last four starts and has a 0.64 ERA off two outings so far in September. Last time out, Cantillo put together the best start of his career, dominating Kansas City over eight four-hit, scoreless innings while striking out five.
Sign Up for StatSalt News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Tigers close to clinching
The Detroit Tigers (85-65) are closing in on their first AL Central title since 2014. The team sits 6.5 games clear of the Guardians in the division and its magic number is seven to clinch the crown. Detroit also has a good chance of keeping up the pressure on Toronto and finishing with the best record in the AL: the Tigers currently trail the Blue Jays by 2.5 games with 12 still to play in this regular season. In their last outing, the Tigers managed to stem a three-game losing run as Keider Montero put in a strong performance. The starter threw five scoreless innings in Detroit's 2-0 win over the Marlins, helping the Tigers towards their 16th team shutout of 2025, a number only surpassed by the Pirates.
Casey Mize will be the next man up for the Tigers. Mize is having a strong campaign, going 14-5 with a 3.83 ERA in 2025 while striking out 118 batters in 131.2 innings. He ranks tied-fourth in the AL on wins with one more than teammate Tarik Skubal, despite missing two weeks of the season back in June due to a hamstring injury. In his last start Mize held the Yankees to two earned runs in 6.0 innings while striking out eight to pick up the W.
Guardians vs. Tigers pick
Spread Pick for Guardians vs. Tigers
- Guardians ML (4 units)
I like the Guardians to spring a surprise on Tuesday. Mize's strong overall numbers mask a drop-off recently: the right-hander has put up a 5.23 ERA since the All-Star Break, with batters hitting .288 against him. He is coming up against a red-hot Cantillo, who has a 2.52 ERA over his last seven starts. The Tigers have struggled facing their division rivals at Comerica and have a 4-6 record against them at home since the start of the 2024 season. Cleveland took three out of four against Detroit in its last visit to this ballpark. The team is 10-2 in its last 12 games, and I am backing them to keep that brilliant run going.
Take the Guardians on the moneyline.
Over/under Pick for Guardians vs. Tigers
- Under (5 units)
Tight pitching has been the key to success for both these teams in 2025 and I can see this game staying on the low-scoring side. The Tigers' bats have slowed down lately with a .720 OPS for September (17th in MLB) while Cleveland pitchers lead all of pro baseball this month with a 2.63 team ERA, ranking second on WHIP at 1.08. The Guardians have hit just .225 this year with an OBP of .296, both MLB-worst marks. Detroit and Cleveland are 2-5 on the over in their season series this year.
Take the under.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
