MLB Prop Bets for Tuesday: Tigers vs Guardians; Ohtani Faces DBacks

The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers commence a series in Ohio on Tuesday. It's the biggest regular season series these teams have played against each other in decades.

The three games could determine which of these teams wins the division, or even if one of them fails to get into the postseason.

That contest is one of four games I have on tap for my baseball betting tonight, with prop markets on my betting sheet. Only six more days remain in the regular season.

Odds for this MLB game and player props article are from FanDuel Sportsbook. That platform is available for mobile devices, whether you use an iPhone or Android device.

My best bet picks are listed after my commentary on these four games to be played tonight.

Tigers' Ace Tarik Skubal Over 9 Strikeouts vs Cleveland

The opener of this huge three-game series features the presumptive 2025 AL Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal. The Detroit ace leads the league in ERA and bWAR, as well as FIP, at 2.48 for the season. He's stingy, he's passionate, and he has a devastating batch of pitches.

Skubal has manhandled the Guardians in 2025: a 32/2 K/BB ratio in 22 innings with a 0.41 ERA. He tossed a shutout against Cleveland in May when he allowed only two hits, fanned 13, and used only 94 pitches.

In three starts against CLE in 2025, Tarik Skubal has recorded 13, 10, and 9 strikeouts.

Only five days ago, Skubal pitched six dominant innings against this Cleveland lineup, allowing only one run on a solo homer, striking out nine. But, the Detroit bullpen blew that game. Danger exists for the same to happen here.

But Detroit manager A.J. Hinch, who has a legit chance to be in the hot seat for the worst collapse in the modern playoff era, will probably allow his ace left-hander to pitch deeper into the game if he needs him. Skubal is his best chance to get a W in this series. Detroit is in danger of blowing a 15.5 game lead it once had over the Guardians. The lead was 10 games earlier this month.

I like Skubal to flash his ace status. I don't think he'll even allow a run to scratch across, but I won't stick my neck that far out. Instead, I am filling out my betting slip for Total Strikeouts.

BEST BET: Skubal to Record 10+ Strikeouts (odds are +278 from FanDuel). A $100 bet will win you $278 if the southpaw records his 11th double-digit K game of the season.

BONUS BET: I am allocating $20 to a player prop on José Ramírez to Hit a Home Run. The odds are +470, which means a winning bet would be worth $94.

José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians (MLB photo)

Shohei Ohtani 6+ Strikeouts vs Diamondbacks

What do you do if you're Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani is pitching lights out as you enter the postseason? Do you give your star slugger a start? Do you use him as a relief ace? Do you simply ask the three-time MVP to focus on his hitting?

In his most recent start, on September 16 against the Phillies(!), Ohtani pitched five no-hit innings. In his last three starts, the Japanese superstar has allowed only one earned run in 13 2/3 innings. The tall righty is in a groove, even though he pitches about once a week.

Tonight he faces the Diamondbacks, a team that's never seen Shohei on the mound as a Dodger. I like that unfamiliarity. Which is the reason for my bet.

BEST BET: Ohtani at least 6 strikeouts vs Arizona at +108. I am placing a half-unit bet, or $50, which means I can win $54.

Francisco Lindor 2+ Hits vs Cubs: +259

It's crisis time for the Mets, a team in danger of squandering a playoff position. Last season, team leader Francisco Lindor found himself in tight spots like this and delivered. His ninth inning home run last September against the Braves helped clinch a postseason spot for the Amazin's.

I like Franky to come through this final week of the regular season. Look for a multi-hit game from the NYM shortstop tonight at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

BEST BET: Bet $50 on Lindor to have at least 2 hits tonight. If he does, you could see a $129.50 win in your account.

Pirates at Reds: Under 7.5 Runs (+125)

These NL Central rivals know each other well. The Pirates have struggled to score: ranking last in the NL in runs, slugging, and home runs.

In eight of the 10 games played between these teams, the Bucs have scored three runs or fewer.

BEST BET: Total runs to be UNDER 7.5 at odds of +125. That means your $100 wager is worth $125 if the Reds and Pirates combine for seven runs or fewer.