Here is the Pickwatch BetSmart Preview for the Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Round in the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

Tigers vs. Guardians Game Info

Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Time: 3:08 p.m. ET
Location: Progressive Field — Cleveland, Ohio
TV: ESPN

Tigers vs. Guardians Betting Info

Spread / Run Line
- Tigers +1.5 (-205)
- Guardians -1.5 (+168)
Moneyline
- Tigers +110
- Guardians -130
Total (Over/Under)
- Over 7.5 (+102)
- Under 7.5 (-124)

*Odds via FanDuel

Season Betting Trends

Moneyline
- Tigers: 88-76
- Guardians: 89-75
Run Line
- Tigers: 75-89
- Guardians: 88-76
Totals (Over-Under)
- Tigers: 84-73-7
- Guardians: 69-85-10

Detroit Tigers (88–76) @ Cleveland Guardians (89–75) Preview

It’s a do-or-die Game 3, and the Guardians come off a strong Game 2 performance, having erupted for a five-run eighth inning to win 6–1 and force this deciding match. Detroit will turn to Jack Flaherty (8–15, 4.64 ERA) to try to extend their season.

Cleveland counters with Slade Cecconi (7–7, ~4.30 ERA), making his first playoff start in this elimination setting. The Guardians’ bullpen will be leaned on again — they lack some depth at certain arms (Gaddis, Smith) — so matchups and usage will be critical. Detroit’s bullpen, meanwhile, showed some resilience in Game 1, but Game 2 exposed vulnerabilities late.

Cleveland is coming into this game with home-field advantage, a momentum boost, and the crowd behind them; Detroit is battling fatigue, pressure, and the need for early offense. Betting markets favor the Guardians slightly, with many expecting a tight, strategic tilt rather than a blowout.

Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The Detroit Tigers lead the all-time series vs. the Cleveland Guardians 1165-1163. Here are the last 5 matchups:

Tigers 1, Guardians 5 (October 1, 2025)
Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (September 30, 2025)
Guardians 5, Tigers 1 (September 25, 2025)
Guardians 5, Tigers 2 (September 24, 2025)
Guardians 3, Tigers 1 (September 18, 2025)

BetSmart Betting Rundown

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Arbitrage

Our Arbitrage Betting Tool is currently not identifying any arbitrage betting opportunities for guaranteed profit. The tool scans all major sportsbooks in real-time, though, so be sure to check back often as odds and lines change often, and an arbitrage opportunity could still become available before the first pitch.

Tigers vs. Guardians: Expert Picks

Visit our Expert Picks page to view picks and data from experts to see where the consensus is on the Tigers vs. Guardians moneyline, run line and total.