MLB · 1 year ago

Predicting Every MLB Wild Card Game 1 | Playoffs Picks

Grant White

Host · Writer

Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres
Runline: Braves +1.5 (-166) | Padres -1.5 (+138)
Moneyline: Braves +132 | Padres -156
Total: OVER 7 (-115) | UNDER 7 (-105)

The logistics of the Atlanta Braves' travel schedule is sub-optimal, putting them at a significant disadvantage on Tuesday night. Atlanta played in a doubleheader on Monday, exhausting their relievers. Traveling across the country with a depleted bullpen puts them at a disadvantage versus the San Diego Padres.

The Braves have yet to announce their starter, but they'll have to look way down their depth chart to find a fresh arm. It's speculated that Ian Anderson or Bryce Elder could get the nod, but neither stacks up well against a talented Padres side. San Diego ended the season with the sixth-best OPS and eighth-most runs scored, saving their best efforts for at home.

Once the starting pitcher is confirmed, we're betting this line gets steamed in favor of the hosts. Purveyors of closing line value will want to get on the Padres early to get the best part of the number.

Prediction: Braves 3 - Padres 6
Detroit Tigers vs Houston Astros
Runline: Tigers +1.5 (-184) | Astros -1.5 (+155)
Moneyline: Tigers +126 | Astros -148
Total: OVER 6.5 (-110) | UNDER 6.5 (-110)

The Detroit Tigers trot out the presumptive Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, for their AL Wild Card Round series opener versus the Houston Astros. This will be the first time the Tigers have been open as underdogs with Skubal on the mound since August 7, and the betting confidence on the Astros has been misplaced.

Skubal has been electric. The hard-throwing southpaw has held opponents to one or fewer runs in six of his past eight starts, equalling a minuscule 2.03 ERA. Moreover, Houston's bats have been running cold to end the season, ranking 13th in OPS and 16th in runs scored over the last two weeks.

Framber Valdez is no slouch either, and the Tigers struggle to hit off lefties. As a result, runs will be at a premium, but we give the advantage to the visitors in this one.

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Prediction: Tigers 3 - Astros 2
Kansas City Royals vs Baltimore Orioles
Runline: Royals +1.5 (-182) | Orioles -1.5 (+150)
Moneyline: Royals +130 | Orioles -154
Total: OVER 6.5 (-124) | UNDER 6.5 (+102)

Two of the AL's most underrated pitchers take to the mound for the series opener between the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles. Corbin Burnes takes the ball for the host Orioles, with the Royals countering with Cole Ragans. That leaves a decided advantage in backing the under at plus-money.

Burnes has been on a sensational run of late. The former Cy Young winner has allowed just one earned run across his previous three starts, spanning 19.0 innings pitched. Similarly, Ragans has stymied opponents to the tune of three earned runs since the start of September.

While both offenses feature talented bats, pitching will reign supreme. The Orioles get out to an early advantage, though, taking the series lead in Game 1.

Prediction: Royals 1 - Orioles 4
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New York Mets vs Milwaukee Brewers
Runline: Mets +1.5 (-182) | Brewers -1.5 (+150)
Moneyline: Mets +116 | Brewers -136
Total: OVER 7.5 (-105) | UNDER 7.5 (-115)

After playing each other over the final weekend of the regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets renew acquaintances in the NL Wild Card Round. The Mets are riding high after Monday's thrilling win over the Atlanta Braves and could pull off another stunning upset on Tuesday.

New York staged a late-inning comeback over the Braves in Game 1 of the doubleheader, clinching a playoff berth with the win. That allowed them to scratch Luis Severino from his start in Game 2 and preserve him for the series opener in Milwaukee. Severino had four quality starts in five September outings and will benefit from taking on a lackluster Brewers' offense.

Never a solid-hitting team, the Brew Crew don't possess the offensive firepower to keep pace with the Mets. Freddy Peralta will do his part to limit the damage, but the Mets saw everything the bullpen had to offer just a few days ago. That could result in another late-game comeback on Tuesday afternoon.

Prediction: Mets 5 - Brewers 4
Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres
Runline: Braves +1.5 (-166) | Padres -1.5 (+138)
Moneyline: Braves +132 | Padres -156
Total: OVER 7 (-115) | UNDER 7 (-105)

The logistics of the Atlanta Braves' travel schedule is sub-optimal, putting them at a significant disadvantage on Tuesday night. Atlanta played in a doubleheader on Monday, exhausting their relievers. Traveling across the country with a depleted bullpen puts them at a disadvantage versus the San Diego Padres.

The Braves have yet to announce their starter, but they'll have to look way down their depth chart to find a fresh arm. It's speculated that Ian Anderson or Bryce Elder could get the nod, but neither stacks up well against a talented Padres side. San Diego ended the season with the sixth-best OPS and eighth-most runs scored, saving their best efforts for at home.

Once the starting pitcher is confirmed, we're betting this line gets steamed in favor of the hosts. Purveyors of closing line value will want to get on the Padres early to get the best part of the number.

Prediction: Braves 3 - Padres 6
Detroit Tigers vs Houston Astros
Runline: Tigers +1.5 (-184) | Astros -1.5 (+155)
Moneyline: Tigers +126 | Astros -148
Total: OVER 6.5 (-110) | UNDER 6.5 (-110)

The Detroit Tigers trot out the presumptive Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, for their AL Wild Card Round series opener versus the Houston Astros. This will be the first time the Tigers have been open as underdogs with Skubal on the mound since August 7, and the betting confidence on the Astros has been misplaced.

Skubal has been electric. The hard-throwing southpaw has held opponents to one or fewer runs in six of his past eight starts, equalling a minuscule 2.03 ERA. Moreover, Houston's bats have been running cold to end the season, ranking 13th in OPS and 16th in runs scored over the last two weeks.

Framber Valdez is no slouch either, and the Tigers struggle to hit off lefties. As a result, runs will be at a premium, but we give the advantage to the visitors in this one.

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

Prediction: Tigers 3 - Astros 2

Predicting Every MLB Wild Card Game 1 | Playoffs Picks

Prediction: Braves 3 - Padres 6

Prediction: Tigers 3 - Astros 2

Prediction: Royals 1 - Orioles 4

Prediction: Mets 5 - Brewers 4

Prediction: Braves 3 - Padres 6

Prediction: Tigers 3 - Astros 2

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