Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 10/2/25, 11:50 AM  by Lou Aguila | Modified on 10/3/25 at 2:03 AM in MLB Picks

The Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians square it off in a do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday at Progressive Field.

The Guardians, who extended the series to a Game 3 with a smashing 6-1 win on Wednesday, are -120 home favorites. The Tigers are listed at -101 moneyline but carry a +177 value on -1.5 run line.

Series Recap:

The Tigers took the series opener, 2-1, behind a pitching masterclass by AL Cy Young Award favorite Tarik Skubal, who surrendered one earned run with 14 strikeouts over 7.2 innings. The Guardians refused to go down without a fight. Cleveland extended the series as catcher Bo Naylor drove three runs to power his team to a 6-1 win.

Starting Pitchers Matchup: Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (8-15. 4.64 ERA) vs. Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (7-7, 4.30 ERA).

Flaherty is 1-4 with a 3.33 ERA in his last five starts. He took the loss in his last two starts against the Guardians. In his last start against the team, Flaherty conceded three earned runs over 4.1 innings in a 1-5 loss to Cleveland.

Cecconi is 3-2 in his last five starts with a 3.90 ERA. However, his last start saw Cecconi surrender four earned runs over four innings in a 3-7 loss to the Rangers. The Guardians hurler has pitched a total of 12 innings against the Tigers this year, allowing three earned runs and 11 hits with 11 strikeouts.