MLB Lines: ALDS Game 4

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MLB Lines: ALDS Game 4

We could have the ALCS matchup today. The Tigers will try to close out the series against Cleveland, while the Yankees have a 2-1 lead against Kansas City. Let’s analyze each game and predict the outcome with MLB Lines. 

Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers will host the Cleveland Guardians for Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday at 3:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. The Guardians are slight favorites at -119, with the game total set at 6.5 runs. Having earned a first-round bye with a 92-69 regular-season record, Cleveland now faces elimination after dropping back-to-back games. 

Detroit, making its first playoff appearance since 2014, swept Houston in the Wild Card round and now leads 2-1 in the series after two straight shutouts.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians’ bats have gone cold at the worst possible time. Despite winning Game 1 with seven runs, Cleveland was shut out in Games 2 and 3. In Wednesday’s loss, they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and their lineup has struggled to produce in crucial moments. 

Manager Stephen Vogt noted that the team set the table but couldn’t capitalize. Tanner Bibee, who went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA during the regular season, will start for Cleveland. Bibee was strong in the second half of the season, but he struggled in four starts against Detroit this year, giving up 11 runs across 22 innings.

Detroit Tigers

Detroit has taken control of the series, riding their pitching to back-to-back wins, including Wednesday’s 4-0 victory. The Tigers’ bullpen was lights out again, with six pitchers combining for the shutout. Detroit’s offense has been opportunistic, scoring early and never letting Cleveland catch up. 

The Tigers will likely go with an opener for Game 4, possibly Reese Olson, who pitched effectively in Game 1. Olson had a 3.53 ERA in 22 regular-season starts and faced Cleveland twice, allowing just four earned runs in 12 innings. Detroit’s bullpen has been among the best in baseball recently, with a 2.41 ERA over the last month.

Prediction

Detroit has all the momentum, especially with their bullpen shutting down Cleveland’s hitters over the past two games. The Guardians’ offense has struggled mightily, and Bibee’s inconsistent record against Detroit could be problematic.

With a home crowd behind them and a reliable bullpen, Detroit has a great chance to close the series. The Tigers have been clutch in tight spots, and with Olson likely to keep them competitive early, expect them to finish the job.

Prediction: Detroit Moneyline (+106) 

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

The New York Yankees head to Kansas City for Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET. After splitting the first two games in New York, the Yankees reclaimed the series lead with a 3-2 victory in Game 3. 

They now have a chance to clinch the series with a win. The pitching matchup will feature a rematch of Game 1, with Gerrit Cole facing Michael Wacha.

New York Yankees

The Yankees are one win away from advancing to the ALCS after a tight win in Game 3. Giancarlo Stanton’s big bat helped lead the Yankees to victory, and their bullpen pitched 4.1 innings of shutout baseball. Cole, who struggled in Game 1 by allowing four runs over five innings, will need to rebound in this critical matchup. 

However, Cole has been strong on the road, going 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA this season in away games. He’ll look to extend his dominance on the mound to help New York secure the series.

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015, but they are now facing elimination. After dropping Game 3 at home, the Kansas City Royals will turn to Michael Wacha, who also struggled in Game 1, allowing three runs in 4.1 innings. Wacha has had command issues but has been better at home, posting a 7-3 record with a 2.89 ERA at Kauffman Stadium. 

The Royals’ offense, led by Sal Perez, needs to get going after managing just six hits in Game 3. Kansas City’s bullpen, a strength earlier in the series, has been overworked, walking nine Yankees in Game 3 alone.

Prediction

The Yankees have put Kansas City’s pitching staff in difficult situations by drawing a lot of walks and extending at-bats. The Royals’ bullpen looks worn out, and Wacha’s Game 1 struggles may carry over. Gerrit Cole’s strong road performance gives New York a clear edge in this matchup. 

With the Yankees’ lineup putting constant pressure on Royals pitchers and their bullpen ready to shut things down, expect New York to clinch the series and move on.

Prediction: Yankees Moneyline (-154)