Guardians starter Gavin Williams, who missed three months with right elbow inflammation, had serious command issues in his season debut last Wednesday against the lowly White Sox. Over four innings, he allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks. Even his manager said it might take Williams a couple starts to return to form. Tigers starter Keider Montero got a much-needed confidence boost after the hard-throwing rookie went 6.1 innings against the Twins last Wednesday, yielding two runs on six hits. Detroit has scored 42 runs over its last eight games (5.3 per game). Riley Greene and Colt Keith each have an OPS over 1.200 this month. Back the host Tigers to at least be tied through five innings.

As we were ready to write off the Tigers, they responded with a weekend sweep of the Reds, all after entering Cincy on an 8-18 skid. Detroit hasn't looked that good since May, and Monday starter Keider Montero is off of his best effort of the season, getting the win last Tuesday vs. the Twins when allowing just two runs across 6 1/3 IP of an eventual 9-2 Tigers win. Cleveland is still cruising ahead of the AL Central pack, though road form has not been great lately (4-7 past 11), and Gavin Williams something less than that in his 2024 debut last Wednesday vs. the White Sox, allowing five runs in just four IP of an eventual 8-2 loss.

Gavin Williams is an elite pitching prospect who might have his way with a suspect Tigers lineup. Though Detroit enters off a weekend sweep in Cincinnati, Keider Montero in these spot starts has been extremely shaky. The Guardians are the class of the AL Central and boast a solid 14-10 record in their division. Cleveland has won four of six and got things settled down on its homestand after a brutal series in KC. Cleveland boasts the more balanced lineup with far more guys who get on base regularly than the Tigers. And the Guardians have the best pen in the AL.