Daily MLB Tips – Friday, October 18

Daily MLB Tips – Friday, October 18

New York Yankees @ Cleveland Guardians, 7:10am  

Game 3 – NYY Leads 2-0  

Progressive Field should be rocking on Friday with the series virtually on the line for the home side.  

The Guardians bats have accounted for only two home runs through as many games to start. While the Yankees have sent only one more over the fence themselves, they’ve easily been the more efficient team when it comes to driving in runners in scoring position. 

Game 3 sees Clarke Schmidt face lefty Matthew Boyd on the mound, a matchup that might only slightly favour Boyd given Schmidt pitched only limited innings (4.2) against the Royals in the Divisional Series.  

That said, Boyd has lasted minimal innings himself this Postseason, pitching the same number in Game 2 against the Tigers, before opening Game 5 last week.  

Looking back, the Yankees have been a great team against southpaws all year, ranking Top 5 in runs scored and 22nd in strikeout percentage.  

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge have both taken him deep in the past, and I do fear for Cleveland with the Yankees bullpen shining bright in Game 2 on Wednesday.  

Neither team has been great at the plate, but with the Guards squandering a less-than-impressive Gerrit Cole start and loading the bases on multiple occasions, only to come up empty-handed, this feels like the kind of series where they might look back and wonder, what could have been? 

  • Tip: Back the Yankees to Win @ $1.87 

Player Pick 

As already mentioned, Judge and Soto own homers against Boyd, so you can do a lot worse than backing either to go deep.  

On the opposite side, Brayan Rocchio has gone 0-for-2 in as many career plate appearances against Schmidt, but he did register a 91MPH flyout against him, so make of that what you will.  

  • Tip: Aaron Judge to Hit a Home Run, Brayan Rocchio to Hit a Home Run  
Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Mets, 10:10am  

Game 4 – LAD Leads 2-1 

It was de ja vu last night at Citi Field with the Dodgers romping the Mets 8-0 thanks to homers from Kike Hernandez, Shohei Ohtani, and Max Muncy.  

The Mets had their share of opportunities with the likes of Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso caught on the warning track, while they also stranded eight men on base in what was a frustrating night for home fans.  

We now turn our attention to Game 4 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto facing off against Jose Quintana.  

After missing most of the season through injury, the Dodgers’ expensive Japanese signing bounced back from a rough Game 1 against the Padres to throw five scoreless innings last week, momentum he’ll be hoping to carry over in his first start in Queens.  

On the flip side, Quintana has arguably been the best arm through the Postseason, holding both the Brewers and Phillies scoreless and issuing only three walks total.  

As the market suggests, this is a genuine coin-flip game, and after all the blowouts, I think we could be in for a close one with several hitters starting to settle in and find their groove.  

The wind cost the Mets a couple of homers last night, but after smacking Yamamoto for three earned runs when they faced off back in late April, I think we could see their luck change. 

Like the Dodgers 24 hours ago, it’s worth noting the Mets posted a 44-32 record after a loss during the regular season, so if they get the best out of Quintana and turn it over to the well-rested Edwin Diaz, I like their chances at evening this series up. 

  • Tip: Back the Mets to Win @ $2.15 

Player Pick  

Harrison Bader registered a double when he went 3-from-3 against Yamomoto in that April game, a hit that registered a tick under 97MPH off the bat.  

He pinch-hit last night for the Mets but is worth considering if he gets another chance.  

Elsewhere, I think Alonso’s time to shine is now. 

He went 0-for-4 last night but easily could have had a home run on his long 351-foot fly ball.  

We’ve seen the Polar Bear put the Mets on his back repeatedly this Postseason, so his going yard wouldn’t be a surprise.  

  • Tip: Harrison Bader to Hit a Home Run, Pete Alonso to Hit a Home Run