MLB Predictions: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

The Cleveland Indians (30-29) and Detroit Tigers (32-26) will continue a three-game American League Central series Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are 52-21 in their last 73 games as a home favorite

Cleveland has dropped five games in a row, including a 7-5 setback to Detroit as +190 road underdogs Friday, while going OVER the total for the fourth time in five contests. “I just think we’re going to figure this out,” commented Indians manager Terry Francona. The Indians possess a .500 record for the first time since May 5, which is important to consider when looking over the MLB betting lines. Cleveland is 1-6 as road underdogs of +100 to +125, with the OVER going 4-2-1 in that situation.

Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson (8-4, 3.57 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four outings, as he comes off a 7-4 road defeat to the New York Yankees, allowing seven runs and nine hits over 6.1 innings of work. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 5.12 ERA in six road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .234 against him. In 14 career games (11 starts) versus the Tigers, Masterson has compiled a 2-6 record and 5.09 ERA, including a 1-3 mark and 6.26 ERA in five outings (four starts) at this ballpark.

Detroit has put together a two-game winning streak since being shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, as the club possesses the only winning record in the division entering Saturday’s action. Offensively, the lineup is one of the more powerful in the majors, especially with designated hitter Victor Martinez heading up. He is batting .323 since May 20. Detroit is 2-5 at home with a betting total of 9 to 9.5, with the UNDER going 4-3 in those seven opportunities.

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (2-3, 5.21 ERA) has watched the club drop his last two outings, including a 4-2 setback on the road to the Baltimore Orioles, as he allowed three runs and six hits over six frames. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in five home outings, surrendering just a single home run in 30.1 combined innings. In 16 career games versus the Indians, Porcello has tallied a 5-3 record and 4.03 ERA, including a no-decision effort in a 4-3 home loss on May 12.