Here is the Pickwatch BetSmart Preview for the Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Round in the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

Tigers vs. Guardians Game Info

Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Time: 1:08 p.m. ET
Location: Progressive Field — Cleveland, Ohio
TV: ESPN

Tigers vs. Guardians Betting Info

Spread / Run Line
- Tigers +1.5 (-200)
- Guardians -1.5 (+164)
Moneyline
- Tigers +110
- Guardians -130
Total (Over/Under)
- Over 7 (+100)
- Under 7 (-122)

*Odds via FanDuel

Season Betting Trends

Moneyline
- Tigers: 88-75
- Guardians: 88-75
Run Line
- Tigers: 75-88
- Guardians: 87-76
Totals (Over-Under)
- Tigers: 84-73-6
- Guardians: 69-85-9

Detroit Tigers (88–75) @ Cleveland Guardians (88–75) Preview

Detroit claimed Game 1 by a narrow 2-1 score behind Tarik Skubal’s dominant 14-strikeout performance. With that victory, the Tigers are one win away from advancing.

In Game 2, Detroit turns to Casey Mize (14-6, 3.87 ERA) to try to close out the series. Cleveland counters with Tanner Bibee (12–11, 4.24 ERA), who has been more effective in September.

Cleveland is also expected to debut Chase DeLauter in center field, adding a spark and fresh bat to the lineup. The Guardians will need to play cleaner — errors in Game 1 hurt them at key moments, particularly leaving runners in scoring position in the ninth.

Detroit’s bullpen, which preserved the 2-1 win in Game 1, should be well rested and available.Cleveland’s bullpen also showed strength in Game 1, with relievers combining for scoreless work after starter Gavin Williams.

Market odds lean slightly toward Cleveland to force a Game 3, with the total set at 7.0 runs, suggesting a tight, low-scoring contest expected.

Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The Detroit Tigers lead the all-time series vs. the Cleveland Guardians 1165-1163. Here are the last 5 matchups:

Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (September 30, 2025)
Guardians 5, Tigers 1 (September 25, 2025)
Guardians 5, Tigers 2 (September 24, 2025)
Guardians 3, Tigers 1 (September 18, 2025)
Tigers 7, Guardians 2 (July 6, 2025)

BetSmart Betting Rundown

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Arbitrage

Our Arbitrage Betting Tool is currently not identifying any arbitrage betting opportunities for guaranteed profit. The tool scans all major sportsbooks in real-time, though, so be sure to check back often as odds and lines change often, and an arbitrage opportunity could still become available before the first pitch.

Middles

Our Middle Betting Tool is currently not identifying any middle betting opportunities. The tool scans all major sportsbooks in real-time, though, so be sure to check back often as odds and lines change often, and middle bet opportunities could still become available before the first pitch.

Positive EV

Our Positive EV Betting Tool has identified 4 different positive expected value wagers, and provided data on the expected value percentrage, suggested Kelly Stake, and how often the bet has hit in the last 5, 10 and 15 games.

Player Props

Our Prop Finder Tool has identified over 200 different player prop bets, and provided data on how often each player has hit the specific prop in the last 5, 10 and 15 games.

Tigers vs. Guardians: Expert Picks

Visit our Expert Picks page to view picks and data from experts to see where the consensus is on the Tigers vs. Guardians moneyline, run line and total.