Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction, Wild Card Odds and Game 3 Picks for Today, 10/02/25

Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians is set for Thursday afternoon. On the mound are Jack Flaherty of the Tigers and Slade Cecconi of the Guardians. Flaherty has had a difficult season, with a 4.64 ERA and an 8-15 record. His numbers are even worse in away games, where he has a 5.27 ERA giving up 40 runs in 68.1 innings pitched. In his starts against the Guardians, Flaherty has pitched 16.0 innings while giving up 11 hits and 7 earned runs. The issue is that the Tigers have lost all 3 of those starts. This may be a good sign for the Guardians, who have only amassed a total of 10 hits through the first 2 games of the series.

For the Guardians, Cecconi has similar numbers to Flaherty with a 4.30 ERA but a 7-7 record. Last month, Cecconi pitched a total of 30.0 innings giving up 22 hits and 13 earned runs. Against the Tigers, Cecconi has made 1 start — he pitched 6.0 innings, surrendering 6 hits and 2 earned runs (both off home runs). While some of these numbers may make us skeptical, the Guardians will have no issue pulling Cecconi early. Through the first 2 games of the series, Cleveland’s bullpen has given up 2 hits and no runs in 7.0 innings pitched. The Guards’ bullpen has been the shining light for this team throughout the back end of the season. Due to the impressive relief pitching, I am rolling with the Guardians to get the win and advance to the next round.

Tigers vs Guardians prediction: Cleveland ML (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that price.

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