Guardians vs. Tigers (July 6): Can Bieber stop Cleveland’s skid by dominating Detroit again?

Wednesday’s MLB schedule opens in Detroit, where the Tigers will be looking to wrap up a four-game sweep of the slip-sliding Cleveland Guardians.

After winning a doubleheader on Monday, the Tigers wrapped up the series win yesterday with a resounding 11-4 win. In the win, Detroit recorded 13 hits on the way to scoring 10+ runs for just the third time this season.

In this afternoon’s finale, the Guardians will be looking for more from their bats while also looking for Shane Bieber to continue his recent run of positive performances.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Cleveland Guardians (40-39, 20-22 away, 2nd in the AL Central) vs. Detroit Tigers (33-47, 22-24 home, 4th in the AL Central)
• Venue & Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, Michigan)
• Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
• Game Time: 1:10 p.m. Eastern Time
• TV Broadcast/Streaming Info: MLB Network

Guardians vs. Tigers Pitching Matchup

• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber (2022: 15 starts, 3-4, 3.16 ERA)
• Detroit Tigers: Michael Pineda (2022: 6 starts, 1-3, 3.62 ERA)

Guardians vs. Tigers Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also include odds from other top online sportsbooks that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Cleveland Guardians -180
• Detroit Tigers +152

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (-105)
• UNDER 7.5 (-115)

Run Line

• Cleveland Guardians -1.5 (+100)
• Detroit Tigers +1.5 (-120)

Will Bieber Remain a Bright Spot Amidst Cleveland’s Current Struggles?

Two weeks ago, the Guardians briefly moved into first place in the AL Central thanks to a hot streak that spanned the end of May and the first three weeks of June.

But that streak is all but a distant memory at this point, as Cleveland has now lost 11 of 15 games. After following a five-game losing streak by winning three of the final four games of their five-game series against the Minnesota Twins last week, last night’s loss made it five losses in their last six games.

Bieber certainly did his part during Cleveland’s hot streak and will look to continue his current run of form in his first start of July.

Last Thursday, Bieber posted his eighth quality start in his last nine starts, as he allowed three runs, five hits, and two walks in the Guardians’ series-clinching win over the Twins. He only has two wins in the period, but Cleveland is sporting a robust 7-2 record in these last nine starts.

Two of those starts came against the Tigers, including a season-best outing in his last visit to Detroit on May 28. In that start, he went a season-high eight innings, allowed eight hits and no walks, and struck out five in Cleveland’s 8-1 win.

Another strong start is likely today, based on how much success he has had on the road in his career and how much he loves pitching at Comerica Park.

Notable Splits for Shane Bieber

• Away (career): 53 appearances (52 starts), 28-9, 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
• Away (2022): 9 starts, 2-1, 2.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
• At Comerica Park (career): 7 starts, 6-1, 1.79 ERA, 0.80 WHIP

If the Guardians can score four runs today, it will likely net a better result than last night’s output did. They have scored 3+ runs in seven of Bieber’s nine road starts, and they have won all seven of those games.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers Prediction and Best Bets

Guardians vs. Tigers Prediction: Guardians to win

Guardians vs. Tigers Best Bets: Guardians -1.5 (+105 at Bovada Sportsbook & MyBookie)

Look for the Guardians to come away with a consolation win this afternoon at Comerica Park, with another quality start from Bieber–his eighth in a row on the road–leading the way.

Of the 10 wins that Cleveland has in Bieber’s starts this season, eight have come by 2+ runs, including five of the seven road starts they have won.

Backing the run line may feel risky given the form that the Guardians are in at the moment, sure. After all, they have been held to three or fewer runs 11 times in their last 15 games. But if Bieber continues his success against Detroit in Detroit, Cleveland won’t need to have a big game at the plate to get this one to cash.