Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions July 6th 2025

Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers July 6th 2025

The Detroit Tigers head to Progressive Field to take on the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, July 6, 2025. This afternoon game starts at 1:40 PM and will be shown on FDSDE. The weather is expected to be very hot with a light breeze and a clear sky.

Detroit, led by manager A.J. Hinch, has a strong record of 56-34 this season. They perform well on the road with a 26-20 record. Cleveland, managed by Stephen Vogt, holds a 40-47 record and is 14 games back in the AL Central. The Guardians have a home record of 20-22.

Tigers vs Guardians Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
• Venue: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
• Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025
• Betting Odds: Tigers Moneyline -218, Guardians Moneyline +182

The Tigers Can Win If…

The Detroit Tigers are coming off a narrow 1-0 win against the Cleveland Guardians. Casey Mize delivered a strong performance, pitching seven scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Spencer Torkelson was key in the win, hitting a solo home run that provided the only run of the game.

The Tigers have shown solid batting stats this season, ranking 5th in batting average at .254 and 7th in home runs with 114. Their slugging percentage is also 5th at .426, indicating their ability to hit for power. These stats suggest that the Tigers have the offensive tools needed to win.

Tarik Skubal will start on the mound for the Tigers with an impressive ERA of 2.15 and a WHIP of 0.83. His record of 10-2 shows he has been effective all season. With Skubal’s pitching and the team’s strong batting, the Tigers have a good chance to secure another victory.

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians recently faced a tough loss against the Detroit Tigers, ending with a score of 0-1. Logan Allen pitched well, allowing only 2 hits and 1 run over 6 innings. Despite the loss, José Ramírez, Bo Naylor, and Brayan Rocchio each managed a hit, showing their potential to contribute in the upcoming game.

One reason the Guardians can win is their strong pitching. Gavin Williams, their starting pitcher, has an ERA of 3.86 and a record of 5-4. The Guardians also have a solid team ERA of 3.95, which ranks them 16th in the league, indicating their ability to keep games close.

Offensively, José Ramírez stands out with a batting average of .300 and 14 home runs. His performance is crucial for the Guardians, as he leads the team in multiple categories. Additionally, the Guardians have shown they can hit for power, ranking 19th in home runs with 85 this season, which could be a deciding factor in the game.

Tigers Turn to Skubal in Series Finale Against Struggling Guardians

The Detroit Tigers will attempt to complete a dominant road sweep over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field, with ace Tarik Skubal looking to strengthen both his team’s hold on the AL Central and his candidacy for a second consecutive AL Cy Young Award. The game marks the finale of a three-game set in which Detroit has won two tight, low-scoring contests by relying on elite starting pitching and just enough offense to get the job done.

Cy Young Contender Skubal Looks to Lead Another Victory

Tarik Skubal enters Sunday’s matchup with a 10-2 record and a 2.15 ERA, ranking among the elite arms in Major League Baseball. His consistency and dominance have powered Detroit’s rotation all season, and his command in division matchups has helped the Tigers maintain control in a competitive AL Central. In his career against Cleveland, Skubal owns a 3-2 record with a 2.84 ERA across nine regular-season starts, including 57 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. His postseason resume against the Guardians includes two road starts in last year’s AL Division Series, where he posted a 3.46 ERA.

For fans and bettors tracking awards races and pitching trends, full projections and analysis are available in our MLB picks and predictions section.

Detroit Rides Pitching, Power in Series Domination

Detroit opened the series with a 2-1 win Friday behind home runs from Wenceel Perez and Zach McKinstry. The Tigers followed it up with a 1-0 victory Saturday, thanks to a solo homer from Spencer Torkelson—who accounted for both of the team’s hits in the game. Despite the quiet offense, Detroit’s rotation has been lights-out. Right-hander Casey Mize was especially dominant Saturday, pitching seven shutout innings on a season-high 102 pitches and scattering four hits without allowing a runner past second base.

Manager A.J. Hinch has praised the staff’s poise and pointed to Torkelson’s aggressive approach as a key to manufacturing runs during tight divisional games. With Detroit now leading the American League in wins, their formula of power, patience, and precision has been paying off consistently.

For more insights into how Detroit stacks up against the rest of the league, visit the MLB expert betting guide.

Cleveland’s Skid Reaches Nine as Offense Continues to Struggle

The Cleveland Guardians are mired in their worst stretch of the season. Saturday’s loss marked their ninth straight defeat, during which they have been shut out five times and outscored by a combined total of 41-13. Their last win came on June 25, a 10-inning escape against the Toronto Blue Jays. Since then, the club has failed to generate timely hitting, even in games where their pitching has kept things close.

On Saturday, a combined two-hitter from Logan Allen, Cade Smith, Paul Sewald, and Tim Herrin still wasn’t enough to break the losing streak. Cleveland manager Will Venable credited the team’s effort but admitted that execution down the stretch has been lacking. Pitcher Slade Cecconi remained optimistic, stating that he believes the work being put in now will pay off later in the season. Still, the Guardians desperately need an offensive spark to stop the bleeding.

Live odds, props, and updates on teams in form—or in freefall—can be found at the MLB scores and odds page.

Gavin Williams Tasked with Slowing Tigers’ Surge

Gavin Williams, who owns a 5-4 record with a 3.86 ERA, will take the mound for Cleveland. He has been effective in his career against the Tigers, with a 2.53 ERA across four starts. But given Cleveland’s offensive woes, Williams will likely need to be near perfect to keep his team in contention. His ability to work deep into games and limit walks will be crucial, especially against a Detroit lineup that has shown it can capitalize on mistakes, even in low-scoring affairs.

The Lean

The Tigers are favored on the moneyline at -218, while the Guardians are at +182. Given the Tigers’ better hitting and pitching stats, they are the recommended pick to win. The Tigers have a batting average of .254 and an ERA of 3.54, both ranked 5th, which suggests they have the edge over the Guardians.

The total for the game is set at 7.5 runs. With the Tigers’ strong pitching and the Guardians’ lower batting average of .224, the game is likely to stay under. The projected score is Tigers 4, Guardians 2, which supports taking the under 7.5 at -111.

Shane Bieber’s Progress Offers Rare Bright Spot for Cleveland

Despite the current spiral, Cleveland received a bit of positive news before Saturday’s game when former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber threw live batting practice for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery. Bieber admitted to some fatigue and minor control issues but said he felt encouraged by the progress and hopes to rejoin the rotation in late July. His eventual return could offer much-needed depth and experience to a rotation that has been stretched during the losing streak.

For full team injury updates, pitching matchups, and player performance data, refer to the MLB team analysis page.