MLB Game Preview: Detroit Tigers (54-33) vs. Cleveland Guardians (40-45)

Matchup: Detroit Tigers (54–33) vs. Cleveland Guardians (40–45)
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Watch: MLB.tv, Bally Sports Detroit, CLEGuardians.tv

Game Overview

The Detroit Tigers, owners of the best record in the American League, travel to Cleveland to face the struggling Cleveland Guardians in a July 4th AL Central showdown. Detroit enters the series opener having won 6 of their last 10, while Cleveland is reeling from a 7-game losing streak.

This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Tigers were eliminated by the Guardians in the 2024 ALDS. Detroit will look for revenge behind the return of Reese Olson, while Cleveland counters with Slade Cecconi, who beat the Tigers earlier this season.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Reese Olson (Tigers)

• Record: 4–3
• ERA: 2.96
• WHIP: 1.17
• Last Start: 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 K vs. Blue Jays
• Career vs. Guardians: 1–0, 3.00 ERA in 2 starts

Olson returns from the IL after a finger injury and has been one of Detroit’s most consistent arms. He’s allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 9 of his 12 starts this season.

Slade Cecconi (Guardians)

• Record: 3–3
• ERA: 3.64
• WHIP: 1.31
• Last Start: 4.2 IP, 3 ER vs. Cardinals
• Career vs. Tigers: 1–0, 1.50 ERA in 1 start

Cecconi has been solid but is coming off a shaky outing. His xERA (5.23) suggests regression may be coming, especially against a Tigers lineup that ranks 5th in MLB in OPS.

Key Hitters to Watch

Tigers

• Riley Greene: .292 AVG, 21 HR, 69 RBI
  • 2nd in AL in RBI, 3rd in MLB in multi-HR games
• Spencer Torkelson: .234 AVG, 19 HR, 19 2B
  • 7-game hitting streak, .282 AVG over last 10 games
• Zach McKinstry: .290 AVG, 8 3B, 5 HR
• Leads team in triples and OBP spark plug

Guardians

• José Ramírez: .301 AVG, 13 HR, 38 RBI
  • Team leader in AVG, HR, RBI, and SB (21)
• Steven Kwan: .295 AVG, 18 2B, 6 HR
  • 6-game hitting streak, elite contact rate
• Kyle Manzardo: 13 HR, .469 SLG
• Power threat in the middle of the order

Team Stats & Trends

Category	Tigers	Guardians
Team Batting Avg	.259 (5th in MLB)	.234 (27th in MLB)
OPS	.755 (5th)	.662 (27th)
Runs Scored	407 (Top 10)	360 (Bottom 10)
Team ERA	3.79 (Top 10)	4.75 (Bottom 10)
Last 10 Games	6–4	3–7
Bullpen ERA	4.19 (21st)	4.28 (23rd)

Detroit has the edge in every major category—offense, starting pitching, and momentum. With Reese Olson returning and the Guardians’ offense slumping, the Tigers are the clear value play.

Betting Trends

• Tigers are 6–3 in their last 9 games as favorites
• Guardians are 0–6 in their last 6 games as underdogs
• Under is 7–3 in Tigers’ last 10 games vs. AL Central
• Guardians have hit the Team Total Under in 24 of their last 36 games (+11.3 units ROI)