MLB Wild Card Playoff Picks and Betting Preview
AL Wild Card Betting Preview: Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction
Cleveland came out of nowhere to win the AL Central. The Guardians won the season series 8-5, which included taking five of six in September. Detroit limps into the playoffs on a 2-10 skid, while Cleveland is a sizzling 14-3. Yet, the Tigers are favored to win without the possibility of a home game.
Cleveland set a major league record of having 19 consecutive starts (in September) in which they permitted two or fewer runs, with the starter throwing at least five innings. The Guards’ offense is not special other than Jose Ramirez, but they were #6 in runs scored compared the Detroit at #24 since September started.
The Tigers will have a shot if Tarik Skubal can win Game 1. However, Cleveland’s beaten him in his last two starts and won’t fear him. Gavin Williams will start the opener for the home team, and his ERA has been just over 2.00 the past two months.
Free Pick: Guardians advance
NL Wild Card Betting Preview: San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The home team won both series. However, those series occurred in April. San Diego hits the Windy City HOT, winners of seven of eight. Chicago’s been a .500 team for two months. After leading the big leagues in runs scored the first three months of the season, the Cubs were #20 since the All-Star break.
San Diego will utilize Nick Pivetta in the opener, and he’s been remarkably consistent all year. The Padres have a winning record against left-handed pitchers at 26-23 this season, but have batters that struggle against lefties, which is why Chicago is expected to start Mathew Boyd and Shota Imanaga.
The Cubs might be home, yet the Padres have the stronger Top 3 pitchers when compared to Chicago, the last several months, along with the better bullpen. The Cubs hitters looked better last week, but so have the Padres. As the odds show, this series could go either way, but we’ll side with the Friars.
Free Pick: Padres advance
AL Wild Card Betting Preview: Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees Prediction
What a great opening Wild Card series, with two classic franchises and fan bases that detest each other.
The Yankees almost won the AL East, but Toronto hung on for the tiebreaker. It would seem New York would have the edge with up to three games in the Bronx; nonetheless, Boston was 9-4 on the season and 5-2 at Yankee Stadium.
New York comes in as the hotter team on a 10-1 roll and will use Max Fried, who’s had a brilliant year at 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA. Fried will be opposed by Garrett Crochet (18-5, 2.59 ERA).
The Yankees’ home run offense has been clicking, and if they can beat Crochet, they have a real edge. If Crochet would outpitch Fried, that would give the Red Sox an immense amount of confidence, knowing they need just one more victory to advance.
With the Yanks playing better baseball at the moment and at home, backing the Bronx Bombers.
Free Pick: Yankees advance
NL Wild Card Betting Preview: Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction
The Dodgers are a big favorite and deservedly so. They won five of six over Cincinnati, outscoring them 30-15. Los Angeles was #2 in runs scored in baseball, with the Reds #14, but a team that goes through feast or famine stretches regularly.
If there is a hint of trepidation about this matchup, it is that Cincy will roll out Hunter Greene (2.76 ERA) and Andrew Abbott (2.77 ERA) to begin the series. This gives the Reds a puncher’s chance, and all it takes is a 2-1 triumph to set up a Game 3.
And let’s not forget the Dodgers’ bullpen has a 5.06 ERA over the last month, which is why they are moving Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Clayton Kershaw down there to shore up the situation. But are any of these hurlers ready to pitch back-to-back games if called upon?
The Dodgers are the play, with Cincinnati possibly making them less comfortable.
Free Pick: Dodgers advance
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