CLEVELAND (Interstat) — A critical three-game American League Central series begins Tuesday at Progressive Field as the Cleveland Guardians host the Detroit Tigers with both teams clinging to playoff hopes in the final week of the season.

The Tigers (85-71) hold a slim one-game lead over the Guardians (84-72) in the standings. The series opener kicks off a season-ending, six-game stretch where the division rivals will face each other exclusively.

Detroit arrives having lost four straight, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Guardians last week in Detroit and a weekend series loss to Atlanta. Cleveland, meanwhile, is coming off a series win against Minnesota, having taken two of three games.

Recent history favors the Guardians, who have won five of the last six meetings, including the last three. They outscored the Tigers 14-6 in those three victories in Detroit.

Despite the Tigers’ recent skid, bettors have installed them as a slight pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. However, Interstat’s game simulator projects a different outcome, forecasting a 7-1 victory for Cleveland. The over/under for the game is set at 7 runs.

Following this series, the Tigers will travel to Boston for their final three games, while the Guardians will return home to face the Texas Rangers to close the regular season. Every game carries immense weight as both teams jockey for postseason positioning.