Game 1
The Yankees have enjoyed a week off after securing the AL East crown over the final few days of the regular season.
They’ll face a hot Royals team that just knocked out the O’s in dramatic fashion away from home, but remains a stiff test against last year’s AL Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole.
Over the last 30 days, Cole has been one of the most reliable arms in the league, allowing a combined nine earned runs across five starts to go with 30 strikeouts.
In similar fashion, Cole has kept the Royals in check throughout his career, posting an ERA below 3.00, matching a similar 2.93 mark when he pitches in the postseason.
It goes without saying that the Yankee lineup holds more power compared to Kansas City’s, highlighted by the fact they rank fifth in the league in runs scored over the last calendar month.
Rested and looking to build on a winning end to the regular season, the Yankees look the play with their ace on the mound for Game 1.
- Tip: Back the Yankees to Cover the Run Line (-1.5)
Game 1
Hands down the series we all hoped for between two fierce division rivals.
The Padres have owned the Dodgers during the season series winning six of their last 10 games, while at least on paper, I think the Friars have a serious advantage on the mound from top to bottom.
Los Angeles’ rotation is still wounded with Clayton Kershaw, River Ryan, Tyler Glasnow, and Tony Gonsolin on the IL, not to mention the Dodgers are also questionable offensively with Freddie Freeman listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury.
The Padres showed during their sweep over the Braves that their bullpen is the real deal, and even though they have some pitching question marks of their own when it comes to Joe Musgrove, they are easily the healthier team of the two.
You could argue this is a must-win game with the Dodgers starting Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but the Padres would also like to make use of their healthy arms with Dylan Cease slated for Game 1.
Cease has averaged close to three earned runs allowed over his last five starts, but the right-hander did hold this same Dodgers lineup to just three hits when they met earlier in July.
With a break between starts, my money is on Cease and the Padres on the road as outsiders.
- Tip: Back the Padres to Win @ $2.15
- Player Pick: Dylan Cease Under Earned Runs Total Allowed