MLB
2 Picks
1:08PM: Tigers ML +120 (2 Units). Detroit's rolling red hot and going with a slew of relievers again today. It's a bullpen that's pitched extremely well of late and against Houston. They answered the call and held Houston to just 2 runs to win their 2nd wildcard game. Some weak contact found holes and the defense gave Houston an extra out to get those 2 runs across. Cleveland wasn't hitting well to end the year, and they weren't a great offense this season. They also haven't played in over a week. Small sample size but the teams with the week off and bye round for the wildcard are 3-5 in divisional round series.
Tanner Bibee is making his first career post-season starts and it's a huge spot. Going to have to settle those nerves. He faces a Tigers team that's had a lot of success against him, recording a .316 BA and .592 xSLG in 86 career plate appearances. He's also made 4 starts against this year, allowing 11 ER on 22 IP (4.5 ERA). He does have the best bullpen in baseball behind him so it's imperative Detroit starts fast.
8:38PM EST: Padres ML +115 (4 Units).
SD SP Dylan Cease has been one of baseball's best this season and has good numbers against LA. In 101 career plate appearances vs Cease the Dodgers have a .231 BA and 33.7% K Rate. He's made a couple post-season appearances when he was with Chicago so he won't have those first time nerves at the minimum. San Diego won't be shy rolling out one of the best bullpens in baseball either. They haven't played in 2 days after sweeping Atlanta 2-0 in the wildcard and there's days offs through this series so no need.
LAD SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto came off the IL on September 10th and has made 4 starts since. He went 4 innings in each of the first 2 without allowing a run but he's surrendered a combined 6 runs on 8 IP in his last 2. He also absolutely flopped in his MLB debut against these Padres. He lasted just 1 inning allowing 5 runs. Easily his worst start of the year and he was clearly impacted by nerves in the moment. Maybe he's settled those nerves but he isn't 100% either way. He's made 1 other start against San Diego this year and allowed 3 runs on 5 IP. San Diego has the bullpen edge.
The Dodgers have been bounced in the NLDS back-to-back seasons. The were swept by Arizona last year and lost 1-3 to the Padres 2 years back. They also had a first round bye those seasons.
