Tag Archives: MLB Playoffs

MLB Playoff Picks: Giants and Dodgers Look to Stave Off Elimination

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The wild 2016 MLB playoffs continue on Tuesday night, with two games on the schedule. The Washington Nationals prepare for their second go around in Los Angeles, after rocking the Dodgers en route to a 2-1 series lead. The San Francisco Giants, meanwhile, used some late heroics to prevent a 3-0 sweep by the hands of the Chicago Cubs.

Both the Nats and Cubs can seal the deal tonight with a win, giving us a potentially epic showdown between the two teams. The Giants and Dodgers will look to represent the NL West in the best way possible, however, and if they can nab wins we’ll get two intense 2-2 series with one rubber match to come.

Let’s take a look at tonight’s MLB playoff matchups and see which way you should lean when it comes to MLB betting:

Washington Nationals @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Washington poured it on thick last night, mowing down the Dodgers with an emphatic 8-3 win. That was concerning because they went nuts at Dodger Stadium, but also because they did so against one of the Dodger’s best pitchers. It could be much the same on Tuesday night, when L.A. will either start Clayton Kershaw on short rest or ask rookie Julio Urias to keep the team’s season alive in a high pressure situation.

This would not be an awful spot for Urias, as he showed good stuff during his first MLB season and finished the year 3-0 at home. He didn’t give up a single homer at Dodger Stadium in 2016, while posting a respectable 3.05 ERA and giving up just 13 runs in nine total appearances. His efforts against this Nationals squad were mixed, of course, as he didn’t win or lose in two starts, lasting nine innings with three runs allowed. The Dodgers as a whole have an edge here, too, as they were one of the best teams in the league at home (53 wins).

We’re still not sure what to expect on the other side, as veteran arm Joe Ross could get the start, or some speculate the Nats could turn to rookie, Reynaldo Lopez. Either arm could be problematic, as Ross looked strong in his last appearance and fared well against the Dodgers in one meeting this season. Lopez is a little more volatile, as he’s just 2-2 on the road this year and gave up 10 hits in a no decision against the Dodgers earlier in 2016.

On paper, for the second night in a row, the mild bump goes to the Dodgers. They’re at home, they can force a  massive game five and they’d likely have ace Clayton Kershaw to decide their fate for them. Urias doesn’t need to be elite or go deep here, either. He just needs to get by, while getting a little help from a Dodgers offense that has yet to really come to life in these playoffs.

Due to the lack of knowledge with the pitchers in this one, the betting odds aren’t known just yet. That probably makes this a pick’em, and with weak odds all around, we’ll side with the home team to keep this series alive.

Pick: Dodgers 5, Nats 4

Chicago Cubs @ San Francisco Giants

  • Cubs to Win -128
  • Giants to Win +118

The second game of the night could be a little more intense, especially if last night’s crazy extra-inning win by the Giants is any indication.

There’s little denying the Cubs are the superior team, but the Giants have twice now shown up big with their season on the line. Can they keep the hope alive at home tonight long enough to make it to a decisive game five?

Maybe. The good news is they’re not facing Arrieta or Lester here, as instead they get a beatable John Lackey. Lackey certainly is not a pushover (11-8 on the year, 3.35 ERA) but he tends to struggle a bit more on the road (just 4-4). He did work the Giants in his lone meeting with them in 2016, but a road game with the Giants playing for their season is not going to be an envious position for him. San Francisco also doesn’t strikeout a lot, so if they can get some balls in play early, Lackey could tire out and set this one up for another crazy finish.

Of course, that will likely require Matt Moore to keep it together first. That’s a tall order given Chicago’s stacked offense, but it’s worth noting Moore has been strong at home (4-2) and has been amazing in his last two trips to the mound (2-0 with 17 total Ks). If Moore is that same top shelf pitcher we’ve seen lately, he should be able to keep the Giants in this and allow for more heroics late.

Chicago enters as the favorite on the road, but I’m not willing to give up on the Giants just yet. They seem to be living off of miracles right now and they still have everything a title contender needs. If Moore can hold serve and their offense chips in enough late, they can force a game five.

Pick: Giants 3, Cubs 2

MLB Wildcard Betting: Analysis and Predictions For Friday’s Games

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The 2016 MLB playoffs have already been quite a sight to see, with two insane wild card games coming down to the bitter last moment and the first games of the second round starting off with some powerful offense. We might not necessarily be able to bank on more of the same when four new MLB playoff games hit the schedule on Friday, as all of the aces come out to potentially limit the fireworks.

There is a lot to consider when it comes to MLB betting in these four playoff games, so let’s take a quick look at each matchup and odds and see which way you should be leaning:

Blue Jays (+120) @ Rangers (-130)

It’s quite possible the hot run Toronto is on comes to a brief end, as tonight they’ll take their potent offense up against Yu Darvish. They displayed heroics in their wild card game and then busted the big guns out in game one of this series by demolishing Cole Hamels. It might end differently in this one, however, as Darvish is better at keeping the ball in the park and it’s just tough to see Toronto come in on the road and go nuts in two straight games to start this series.

On the other side, Texas absolutely has the better matchup in this game, as their equally potent offense gets the more beatable J.A. Happ. Texas didn’t even show up on offense in game one, so it’s a safe bet the Rangers will come out to play with their backs against the wall here in a 0-1 hole.

Look for Darvish to spin a gem and the Rangers to do just enough to tie this series up.

Pick: Rangers 4, Blue Jays 2

Red Sox (-110) @ Indians (EVEN)

Boston and Cleveland engaged in a home run derby last night, with the two exhanging blows until the Indians survived late, 5-4. Cleveland stole a game they probably shouldn’t have won with Trevor Bauer doing just enough to out-duel Rick Porcello. That could be a tough start to overcome for Boston, who now needs to get a win with Cleveland ace Corey Kluber hitting the mound.

This is not a good matchup for the Red Sox, but luckily they have an elite arm on their side as well, with David Price toeing the rubber tonight.

That should draw this even, and with both offenses having plenty of pop, it stands to reason the Sox can do just enough to tie this thing up at one game a piece. That could make for a low-scoring game despite two elite offenses hitting the diamond tonight, while the odds here don’t offer much upside, regardless of who you like.

Pick: Red Sox 4, Indians 2

Dodgers (-142) @ Nationals (+132)

This is without a doubt the game to check out today, as Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer give us an epic pitcher battle. Scherzer gets the benefit of being at home, backed by the superior offense, while Kershaw needs to exorcise some serious demons (2-6 in playoffs in career) to get the Dodgers going in the right direction.

Kershaw was amazing all year (just 11 walks!) and can K any lineup into oblivion, but there could be too much working against him here. Not only is Washington’s lineup high powered and stacked, but he’s also on the road and going up against an arm that truly is just about as good. We certainly hope Kershaw can finally deliver a huge playoff performance, but fear it will probably be in vain. Washington is oddly the underdog here at home despite logic supporting them greatly. With these odds, they’re a fun bet.

Pick: Nationals 3, Dodgers 2

Giants (+160) @ Cubs (-175)

Last, but not least, we have everyone’s favorite pick to run the table (Cubs) welcoming the Giants to Wrigley Field. San Francisco comes prepared, as ace Johnny Cueto looks to get them started off on the right foot after winning an intense wild card game against the New York Mets.

Cueto will have his work cut out for him, as he gets to face the best offense in baseball (on the road, mind you) and Jon Lester isn’t a fun arm to duel with, either. Lester and Chicago’s offense are probably too much of a winning combination to get around here, and you can see why the Cubs are strong favorites to get this series started.

While Chicago probably wins tonight, San Francisco has some of the worst MLB playoff odds for this slate, which makes them quite playable. Keep in mind the Giants could be riding high from their emotional wild card win, while they’ve also gone on World Series runs every other year since 2010. That could make 2016 another title season and if so, it just might get started off with a bang tonight. We do still prefer the Cubs here, but it’s only wise to consider all narratives.

Pick: Cubs 6, Giants 3

That does it for today’s look at the MLB playoff betting slate. This isn’t a spot to go super hard with your bets, but putting a little cash down on your favorite plays does make the whole day a lot more fun. Regardless of how you bet today, good luck!