Monday Baseball: ALDS Game 2s

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians - 4:08 PM ET Guardians lead series 1-0

DET Starter: Tarik Skubal 18-4, 2.39 ERA, 228 K

CLE Starter: Matthew Boyd 2-2, 2.72 ERA, 46 K

The Tigers were trounced 7-0 in Game 1, and now turn to their Cy Young award winning pitcher, Tarik Skubal, to keep them afloat and avoid a 2-0 series deficit. As good as Skubal is, I do not think it is a foregone conclusion that the Tigers earn the win today. Cleveland starter Matthew Boyd, a former Tiger, is no slouch and will be looking to get a bit of revenge against his former squad. I could see him putting up 4 to 5 solid innings and turning things over to the Guardians' bullpen. I believe Cleveland's offense can beat Skubal for a couple of runs. I am specifically looking at Cleveland's 3-hole hitter, Jose Ramirez, to make an impact today. He had a walk, a hit, and an RBI in Game 1 and has a .429 career batting average against Skubal. I see Ramirez getting a couple of big hits and the Guardians chasing Skubal off the mound a bit earlier than most expect.

Pick: Jose Ramirez Over 1.5 Total Bases (+125)

Score Prediction: Guardians 5 Tigers 3

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees - 7:38 PM ET Yankees lead series 1-0

KC Starter: Cole Ragans 11-9, 3.14 ERA, 223 K

NYY Starter: Carlos Rodon 16-9, 3.96 ERA, 195 K

The Yankees came away victorious, 6-5 in a back-and-forth Game 1. I think the offenses will be a little more quiet in this one. Ragans pitched 6 scoreless innings last Tuesday against Baltimore, and I expect him to continue to pitch at a very high level. Meanwhile, the Yanks turn to Carlos Rodon, who's had a very nice bounce back year here in 2024. Rodon has not allowed more than 2 earned runs in any start since late August. I think we will see a 1-1 ball game for most of the day, then New York will break through late against the Royals' bullpen to seal a win. If my instinct is incorrect and Kansas City is going to win this game, again the recipe is going to be good pitching and stringing together just enough hits to win. Either game script I believe would lead to a Game 2 "Under."

Pick: Total Runs Under 7.5 (-110)

Score Prediction: Yankees 4 Royals 1