Tigers vs. Guardians Prediction and Odds for Friday, July 15 (Plesac Bounces Back Against Familiar Foe)

Zach Plesac's fall back to earth came with a thud. After throwing seven consecutive quality starts, he allowed seven hits and four runs to the lowly Royals last week and hopes to get back on track against Drew Hutchison and the Tigers today.

Detroit is 1-6 in its last seven, though Hutchison picked up a win over the Guardians two weeks ago and has steadily improved with each start.

With neither lineup hitting well, do either of these starters have the edge?

As we analyze this Tigers vs Guardians AL Central matchup, here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Tigers vs Guardians Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Tigers: +1.5 (-145)
• Guardians: -1.5 (+120)

Moneyline:

• Tigers: +160
• Guardians: -175

Total:

• 8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Tigers vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

I can't quit my beloved Cleveland Guardians, and I'm all over them today with Zach Plesac on the mound at home. He has a 2.85 ERA over seven starts at Progressive Field and a 2.05 ERA in his career against the Tigers. With a quality start in five of his last six outings against Detroit, Plesac loves facing this battered Detroit lineup.

He's excellent in these spots, with eight of those 10 wins coming by multiple runs. The Guardians shouldn't be afraid of Drew Hutchison either. They just faced him two weeks ago and his 5.51 expected ERA is a dreadful mark.

The Tigers are 1-6 in their last seven as a road underdog, averaging a pathetic 2.1 runs per game in that stretch. Cleveland, meanwhile, is 12-3 in its last 15 as a home favorite with 10 of those wins coming by multiple runs.

I'm expecting a bounce-back performance from Plesac against a Detroit lineup that ranks 26th in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last two weeks. Thus, I'll back the Guardians on the run line to continue gaining ground in the Wild Card race.

Pick: Guardians -1.5 (+120)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.