Although both the Tigers and Royals looked to be blazing hot heading into the Division Series after sweeping their respective series in the wild card round, neither team was able to best the top seeds in the AL in Game 1. The Tigers were especially disappointing, surrendering seven runs (including five without recording at out) to the Guardians without scoring a single run to answer back. Meanwhile, the Royals lost a heartbreaker, surrendering the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Can either team bounce back and give the American League's top dogs a run for their money?
Here are predictions from around the internet for these pivotal Game 2 showdowns.
Oct 5, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) celebrates with outfielder Aaron Judge (99) and outfielder Juan Soto (22) after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game one of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
FOX Sports notes that Jazz Chisholm has been playing rather well as of late. They write, "Chisholm will look to build on his four-game hitting streak in this matchup. In his last five games he is hitting .300 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI."
bet365 writes, "If the Bronx Bombers can take care of business, even with their three best players doing next to nothing, it bodes well moving forward. Regardless of what the offense does, New York may be in fine shape on Monday because Nestor Cortes is taking the mound. Cortes (16-9, 3.96 ERA) was fantastic down the stretch of the regular season. He compiled a 2.20 ERA in five September starts and did not surrender more than two earned runs in any outing. The left-hander has faced Kansas City once this season and hurled 7.0 innings of one-run baseball during a 4-2 victory."
Zunkel writes, "It was unclear how Cole Ragans would handle his first postseason start, but he seemed to quiet the doubters. He threw six strong innings against the Baltimore Orioles, and out-dueled Corbin Burnes. He has another tough matchup in the Yankees Monday night, but he should be up for the Challenge. Ragans might not go six scoreless again, but if he can allow less than three runs, the Royals will have a chance to win the game."
The NBC Sports Bet Staff writes, "NBC Sports is recommending a play on the Tigers on the Moneyline." That assessment makes sense given who will be starting 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 given he was strong in his first-ever playoff start during the wild card round.
Despite FOX Sports giving the Tigers a 54% chance to win this game, they are picking the Guardians to go out to a 2-0 series lead. That probably has to do with the fact that the Guardians have been pretty good as underdogs on the season, winning 46.6% of the contests they were not favored in this year.
Hayek writes, "Holton struggled [in Game 1], and the Tigers had to pull him early for Reese Olson, who calmed things down with five solid innings in relief after Holton put them behind. Expect Skubal to take charge and go the distance as he attempts to get the Tigers back in this series."
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