On July 9, 2024, a compelling MLB showdown is set to take place at Comerica Park as the Cleveland Guardians go head-to-head against the Detroit Tigers. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM under overcast skies. The Guardians will send Ben Lively to the hill, carrying a solid 3.142 ERA, while the Tigers will counter with Kenta Maeda, whose ERA stands at 6.714.

In the race for the 2024 AL Central Division, the Guardians are currently in second place with a record of 56-33, translating to a winning percentage of .630. Their divisional record is the best in the division at 14-11. Despite a recent skid with a L1 streak, their performance over the last 10 games includes 5 wins. The Guardians boast strong records both at home (30-11) and on the road (26-22), with better outcomes in night games (32 wins) compared to day games (24 wins), and have scored 436 runs while allowing 340.

On the other hand, the Tigers are placed 11th within the division, holding a 43-48 record for a .470 winning percentage. They are 4th in divisional play with a record of 14-12 and have picked up some momentum with a current W4 streak. The Tigers have balanced home (20-22) and away (23-26) records, and relatively even day (23 wins) and night (20 wins) game performances, with an overall run differential of -18 (372 scored, 390 allowed).

Focusing on the game’s odds, the stakes are intriguing. Favoring the Guardians slightly, the point spread is set at 1.5, with a total OverUnder line established at 8.5 runs. For moneyline bettors, the Guardians are listed at -141, suggesting their favored status, while the Tigers are positioned at +120, marking them as underdogs in this encounter. This game promises not just a critical divisional clash but also offers interesting betting angles for avid sports bettors looking to capitalize on these odds.