Guardians vs Tigers Prediction MLB Picks Free 5/9

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians (May 9, 2023)

On May 9, 2023, the Detroit Tigers will face off against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Both teams have had a tough start to the season and will be looking to gain some momentum with a win in this matchup. As the game approaches, MLB picks experts and MLB picks computer predictions will be released, giving fans an idea of which team is favored to win. The Tigers, with a record of 15-18, have struggled on the road with a 7-11 away record. Their offense has been lackluster, scoring an average of only 3.67 runs per game. However, their pitching has been a bright spot, with an ERA of 4.59, which ranks 21st in the league. Michael Lorenzen will take the mound for the Tigers, hoping to improve upon his 1-1 record with a 1.41 ERA. The Guardians, with a record of 16-18, have not fared much better at home, with a 6-9 record. Their offense has also struggled, averaging only 3.91 runs per game. However, their pitching has been slightly better than the Tigers, with an ERA of 3.19, which ranks 28th in the league. 

Tigers: Pitching Analysis

The Tigers will be sending Michael Lorenzen to the mound as their starting pitcher, with a record of 1-1 and an ERA of 4.14. While his stats are not eye-popping, Lorenzen will need to bring his A-game against the Guardians' lineup, which includes dangerous hitters like Josh Bell and Jose Ramirez. If Lorenzen can keep the Guardians' hitters in check and the Tigers can provide some run support, they have a chance to pull off the upset and come out with a win. However, they will need to execute on both sides of the ball to make it happen.

Tigers: Hitting Analysis

The Tigers have struggled offensively so far this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in almost every major hitting category. However, MLB picks experts believe that the Tigers have some promising young hitters who could turn things around, such as top prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. MLB picks computer predictions also show that the Tigers have been struggled against right-handed pitching, particularly power pitchers. This could be a concern as the Tigers face off against one of the American League's top pitchers in Shane Bieber in their upcoming game against the Cleveland Guardians. MLB today experts recommend the Tigers focus on being patient at the plate and waiting for their pitches against Bieber, who is known for his ability to get batters to chase pitches out of the strike zone. The Tigers will need to take advantage of any mistakes Bieber makes and make solid contact in order to generate runs. MLB picks and parlay predictions show that the Tigers are likely to struggle in this matchup, given their recent hitting woes and Bieber's dominance on the mound. However, anything can happen in baseball and the Tigers should not be counted out completely. Overall, the Tigers will need to improve their hitting if they hope to be competitive in the American League this season. The key will be for their young hitters to develop quickly and for the team to develop a more patient approach at the plate. If they can do that, they may surprise some experts and make a run at the playoffs.

Guardians Pitching Analysis: 

Experts suggest that the Guardians have the upper hand in the pitching department with Shane Bieber starting on the mound. Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young award winner, has been dominant this season with a 2.12 ERA and 74 strikeouts in just over 51 innings pitched. On the Tigers side, Michael Lorenzen will be taking the mound with a 1-1 record and a 1.14 WHIP. MLB picks for today from experts and computer models also favor the Guardians bullpen, which currently ranks sixth in the league with a 3.24 ERA. 

Injury Report:

Injuries can have a major impact on MLB picks, which is why it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest injury news. The Detroit Tigers are currently dealing with a number of injuries, including outfielder Kerry Carpenter (10-day IL), pitcher Freddy Pacheco (60-day IL), and pitcher Tarik Skubal (60-day IL). The Cleveland Guardians have also been hit by injuries, with starter Aaron Civale (15-day IL) and outfielder Petey Halpin (day-to-day) currently sidelined. It's important to keep an eye on the injury report when making MLB picks and predictions, as injuries can greatly impact the outcome of a game.

Prediction

While the Guardians are the favorites, our experts are picking the Tigers as their underdog pick for this game. Their pick is based on the Tigers' recent performance and their strong defense, which could help them turn the game around in their favor. However, our experts also suggest considering taking the under on the 7.5 total runs with both pitchers performing well recently.

Pick: Under 7.5 runs