Happy October
Finally, after the 162 Game marathon known as the MLB regular season, we have arrived at October baseball. Hopefully many of you were able to take advantage of last week’s article where I mentioned that I saw value on the Houston Astros who were as high as +1300 on DraftKings. The Astros now sitting at +450 on both FanDuel and DraftKings were not only able to secure a Playoff spot but thanks to the Texas Rangers losing 3 of 4 were able to clinch the AL West and a First Round Bye.
Let’s look at the matchups from an odds perspective here for the First Round of the MLB Playoffs. As always make sure that you are searching for the best available lines and tracking your bets through the WagerWire App.
Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays enter the series as a -165 favorite according to DK with the Rangers sitting at +140. A few months ago, both these teams looked like they were headed for Division titles but injuries along the starting staffs help prevent that. The Rangers come into the match up with one of the best offenses in the league, but unfortunately for them it’s been their pitching that has been the biggest weakness for this team. I don’t like this matchup for the Rangers as I feel that the Rays pitching staff will be able to help control the Rangers offense and the Rays offense will be able to feast on this Rangers pitching staff.
Best Bet – Rays -165
Toronto Blue Jays @ Minnesota Twins
For me this was the hardest matchup to breakdown as I feel both teams are evenly matched. Both BetMGM and DraftKings have the Twins at -115 and the Blue Jays -105. When you think of Toronto and Minnesota you would typically think of high-powered offenses but that hasn’t been the case this year with both pitching staffs in the Top 5 for ERA. The offenses for each team can put up runs but I think that the biggest factor coming into this series will be which bullpen can execute the best.
Lean o2.5 Games (-110) on DK
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers
In last weeks article I mentioned the Brewers will most likely be hosting the Marlins or Cubs clearly, I was wrong. But the Brewers enter the series as the home favorite priced at -155 on DraftKings with the Diamondbacks sitting at +130. I expect this series to be played tightly and have some low scoring affairs. The greatest strength for each team comes from their starting staffs and with both offenses in the middle of the pack I feel both teams will struggle to score runs.
No Bet – Brewers +1900 from last week
Miami Marlins @ Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies enter the series as the biggest favorites in the Wild Card round at -190 and the Marlins at +160. I’m not going to lie this will be a tough task for the Marlins to get passed the defending NL Champs. The Phillies have 6 guys in the lineup with 20+ Homeruns and should have plenty of offense to get by Miami. The Marlins starting pitching has been great all season but with their bullpen and this matchup I don’t see it in the cards for them this year.