Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians Picks and Prediction for Thursday, October 2, 2025
In Game 3 of the AL Wild Card, the Detroit Tigers are taking on the Cleveland Guardians inside Progressive Field on Thursday afternoon in our Tigers vs. Guardians prediction. The Guardians forced Game 3 after securing a 6-1 win in Game 2 and now the winner of this game advances to the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers finished as the third AL Wild Card team with an 87-75 record and are sending right-hander Jack Flaherty to the mound. The Guardians won the AL Central with an 88-74 record and have young righty Slade Cecconi getting the ball. Dial in your read with MLB picks for Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians before first pitch.
Tigers Looking to Avoid Disaster
The Detroit Tigers are looking to keep their season alive after losing in Game 2 of the Wild Card Round against the Cleveland Guardians 6-1. The lineup was able to go 7-for-35 with six walks and 11 strikeouts on the day as a team. The Tigers were limited to going just 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and stranded 15 men on base. Casey Mize did not factor into the decision as he only pitched three innings and allowed one run.
The Tigers are sending right-hander Jack Flaherty to pitch, and he struggled a bit in the regular season, as in 31 starts, he was 8-15 in 161.0 innings with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has been able to limit the number of hits against him with a .239 opposing batting average in 2025. Flaherty faced the Guardians three times during the regular season and was 0-3 in 16.0 innings, and he gave up seven runs on 11 hits with seven walks and 18 strikeouts.
Injury Report for Detroit
- Second baseman Colt Keith: Rib Cage (OUT)
- Pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long: Neck (OUT)
- Pitcher Beau Brieske: Forearm (OUT)
- Center fielder Matt Vierling: Oblique (OUT)
- Pitcher Reese Olson: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Sean Guenther: Hip (OUT)
- Pitcher Jackson Jobe: Flexor (OUT)
- Pitcher Jason Foley: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Alex Cobb: Hip (OUT)
- Pitcher Ty Madden: Shoulder (OUT)
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Guardians Looking to Get to the ALDS
The Cleveland Guardians are looking to build off winning Game 2 against the Detroit Tigers 6-1 on Wednesday. The Guardians were 6-for-29 with four walks and three strikeouts at the plate as George Valera, Brayan Rocchio, and Bo Naylor all homered. Cleveland did not have many chances, but was 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position while leaving three men on base. Tanner Bibee did not factor into the decision as he allowed one run over 4.2 innings in the no-decision.
Young right-hander Slade Cecconi is going to be taking the mound for the Cleveland Guardians in this game and held his own in the regular season as he went 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 132.0 innings over 23 starts. He has struggled to keep the ball in the park as he has allowed 24 home runs, which is a career-worst in his first season with the Guardians. Cecconi faced the Tigers twice during the regular season and finished 1-1 in 12.0 innings and gave up three runs on 11 hits with four walks and 11 strikeouts.
Injury Report for Cleveland
- First baseman David Fry: Nose (OUT)
- Right fielder Nolan Jones: Oblique (OUT)
- Pitcher Nic Enright: Elbow (OUT)
- Center fielder Lane Thomas: Foot (OUT)
- Right fielder Will Brennan: Forearm (OUT)
- Pitcher Andrew Walters: Lat (OUT)
- Pitcher Ben Lively: Forearm (OUT)
- Pitcher John Means: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Sam Hentges: Shoulder (OUT)
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians Pick
Money Line Game 3 Pick for Tigers vs. Guardians
- Detroit Tigers -114 (4 units)
The Detroit Tigers have the advantage heading into a Game 3 do-or-die situation. They have the managerial advantage with AJ Hinch, who has been in this type of situation before, compared to Stephen Vogt, who is in his second season at the position. Jack Flaherty has not pitched well in the postseason throughout his career, but he has 10 games (nine starts) of experience to at least navigate through the first few innings and do well. Cleveland had some offense in Game 2, but they are one of the worst offenses in the modern era to make the playoffs. I also trust the Detroit bullpen more than Cleveland’s. All in all, go with the Detroit Tigers to record the win and advance to the ALDS.
Over/Under Wild Card Pick for Tigers vs. Guardians
- Under (5 units)
These teams have not shown much offensive abilities throughout the first two games. Cleveland hit three home runs in Game 2, but seven total runs does not constitute as enough for the over to be hitting. Slade Cecconi has good numbers the first time through the order, and this feels like a bullpen game after that, as both managers are going to be getting the bullpen involved at the first sign of trouble. These teams have also been underperforming through two games with runners in scoring position as Detroit is 2-for-23 with runners in scoring position, while Cleveland has gone 3-for-10. Expect these pitchers to limit the amount of runs scored and take the under here.
