On the evening of July 09, 2024, an intriguing MLB matchup is set to take place at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers host the Cleveland Guardians. The game is scheduled to commence at 6:40 PM under the expected overcast skies.

Pitching for the Guardians will be Ben Lively, who carries a commendable ERA of 3.142. The Tigers will counter with Kenta Maeda, whose current ERA stands at 6.714, indicating a potential advantage for Cleveland in the pitching duel.

In the American League Central Division standings for 2024, the Guardians command a strong position, holding second place with a win-loss record of 56-33, translating to a winning percentage of .629. They boast a divisional record of 14-11 and are on a one-game losing streak, despite winning 5 of their past 10 games. The team’s capability is evident both at home (30-11) and on the road (26-22), with a particular strength in night games where they’ve collected 32 victories.

The Tigers, sitting 11th in the same division, have a record of 43-48 (.473 winning percentage). They are currently fourth in the division, with a slight edge in their recent play, having won 6 of their last 10 games, and are on a four-game winning streak. Their home record stands at 20-22, and they have a similar pattern on the road (23-26).

As for betting odds: The game carries a point spread of 1.5, an Over/Under of 8.5 runs, with the betting market slightly favoring Cleveland (AwayTeamMoneyLine of -141) over Detroit (HomeTeamMoneyLine of +120). These statistics suggest a potentially tighter contest, highlighting the Guardians as slight favorites in what promises to be a compelling game. This is a prime opportunity for bettors looking at underdog wins or game dynamics driven by pitching matchups and recent form.