Predictions for today's Royals-Yankees and Tigers-Guardians games

The National League had its second game yesterday. Now we look to the American League, where the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers are trying to close out their series against the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians, respectively.

Although both the Tigers and Royals appeared to be off to a flying start in the Division Series after winning the wild card round, neither team was able to defeat the AL's top seeds in Game 1. Particularly disappointing were the Tigers, who gave up seven runs (including five unaccounted for when out) to the Guardians without scoring a single run in response. Meanwhile, the Royals lost a heartbreaker, giving up the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Can either team recover and compete with the American League leaders?

Here are predictions from around the internet for these crucial Game 2 showdowns.

2024 MLB Playoffs: Predictions as the division series matchups become more heated

KC-NYY Game 2 Predictions:

FOX Sports: Yankees 5, Royals 4

FOX Sports notes that Jazz Chisholm has been playing pretty well lately. They write: “Chisholm will look to build on his four-game winning streak in this match. In his last five games he is batting .300 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI.”

bet365: Yankees win

bet365 writes: “If the Bronx Bombers can take care of business even with their top three players doing next to nothing, that bodes well for the future. Regardless of what the offense does, New York could be in good shape on Monday because of Nestor Cortes.” Cortes (16-9, 3.96 ERA) posted a fantastic 2.20 average in the regular season and didn't give up in a game has earned more than two earned runs against Kansas City once this season, throwing 7.0 innings of one-run baseball in a 4-2 win.”

Cameron Zunkel, ClutchPoints: Royals win

Zunkel writes: “It was unclear how Cole Ragans would handle his first postseason start, but he seemed to put the doubters to rest. He pitched six strong innings against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out Corbin Burnes in a two-run loss. He has another tough matchup with the Yankees.” Monday night, but he should be ready for the challenge. Maybe Ragans won't go six pointsless again, but if he can allow fewer than three runs, the Royals have a chance to win the game to win.

DET-CLE Game 2 Predictions:

NBC Sports: There's money in the Tigers ML

The NBC Sports Bet team writes: “NBC Sports recommends a game against the Tigers on the moneyline.” This assessment makes sense considering who will start for Detroit. None other than Tarik Skubal. Skubal won the American League pitching Triple Crown this year. It's hard to bet against him regardless of the pressure he may face, especially considering he was strong in the wild card round in his first-ever playoff start.

FOX Sports: Guardians 4, Tigers 3

Although FOX Sports gives the Tigers a 54% chance of winning this game, they pick the Guardians to take a 2-0 lead. This probably has to do with the fact that the Guardians have done fairly well as underdogs this season, winning 46.6% of the contests in which they were not the favorites this year.

RB Hayek, ClutchPoints: Tigers will win

Hayek writes: “Holton struggled (in Game 1) and the Tigers gave him up early for Reese Olson, who calmed things down with five solid innings of relief after Holton put them behind. Expect Skubal to take the lead and go the distance.” He's looking to get the Tigers back in this series.

Here's how to watch tonight's ALDS games:

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians:

Date: Monday, October 7th
Time: 4:08 p.m. ET/1:08 p.m. PT
Where: Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio
TV: TBS, truTV, max
Electricity: MLB.TV, Fubo

Stream the game: Watch the MLB Playoffs with Fubo

Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees:

Date: Monday, October 7th
Time: 7:38 p.m. ET/4:38 p.m. PT
Where: Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY
TV: TBS, truTV, max
Electricity: MLB.TV, Fubo

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On October 7, 2024 By John Fenwick

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Predictions for today's Royals-Yankees and Tigers-Guardians games