2020 MLB – Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians taking place? Thursday 26th March, 2020 – 18:10 (UK)
Where is Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians taking place? Progressive Field
What is the expected weather for Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians? Partly sunny, 7c
What television channel is Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians on? BT Sport 1 showcases MLB games in the UK so it would be useful to check their schedule
Where can I stream Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / MLB.tv (subscription required) in the US
Where can I get tickets for Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians? https://www.mlb.com/tickets/season-tickets
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Detroit Tigers 0 – 7 Cleveland Indians
THE TEAM NEWS
DETROIT TIGERS
- The Tigers are going through a painful rebuilding process and expectations were quite low heading into the 2019 season. Those struggles were quickly confirmed, and the team finished with the worst record in MLB after going 47-114. No other team in the league won fewer than 50 games.
- Detroit shouldn’t expect major changes heading into the 2020 season as most of their long-term value lies on their farm and they are expected to continue with their rebuilding efforts for one more year. It’s easy to see them finishing at the bottom of the AL Central once again.
- The Tigers didn’t make major moves in the free agent market, although they added two quality players in C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop. Both should be considered as long-term pieces alongside third baseman Jeimer Candelario.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
- The Indians suffered some key injuries during the 2019 season and despite the fact they posted a decent 93-69 record across the entire campaign, they didn’t reach the playoffs from second place of the AL Central. They ended the year 8.0 games back from the pennant winners, the Minnesota Twins.
- Cleveland will aim for a turnaround and should be Minnesota’s main contenders for the AL Central title. They have won at least 90 games in each of the last four seasons, and another 90-win campaign should be a reasonable expectation for the Ohio-based franchise.
- The Indians should have Jose Ramirez fully healthy and given his injury problems in 2019 this could feel like a new signing. They lost one of their best pitchers in recent years, however, as they decided to trade Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. Undoubtedly, the rotation will be weakened with his departure.
THE PREDICTION
Perhaps the best example of the gulf in class between these two franchises in recent months lies in their head-to-head record, since the Indians have 17 straight games against the Tigers and went 18-1 against them during the 2019 regular season. That shouldn’t change here considering the quality on both teams’ Opening Day Roster. The Indians should cruise their way to begin the year with a win.
