Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 09/23/25

The Detroit Tigers take the quick jump across Lake Erie to battle the Cleveland Guardians for the first of a three-game set. The Tigers are clinging to a one-game lead in the American League Central Division, trying to hold off the surging Guardians. Cleveland went to Detroit and swept a three-game set last week, including a win over All-Star LHP Tarik Skubal on getaway day. Cleveland has posted a 41-34 mark at home this season, but it is 9-1 in the past 10 games. Detroit has won just once in the past 10 games, seeing their lead shrink from 10 1/2 games up when September began. It is just 5-13 in 18 games since the calendar flipped from August.

On the flip side, Cleveland is 16-5 in the past 21 games, posting the best record in baseball during the month. They’ve won 6 of 10 meetings with the Tigers this season, and need to at least win one of three games this season to secure the tiebreaker, in the event of a tie atop the division at season’s end. Cleveland is trying to become the first AL team in history to make the postseason despite losing a 10-game losing streak earlier in the season. It is also tied with the Houston Astros for the final wild-card spot. There is a lot going on, and it’s hard not to trust the red-hot Guardians right now. They beat Skubal last week, and he isn’t nearly as effective on the road as he is at home. Back RHP Gavin Williams, who is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across his past seven.

Guardians ML (+135) at time of publishing. Playable to +125.