Atlanta Braves
The Braves enter the post-season after an excellent regular season that saw them go 97-65. They were an outstanding 50-31 at home, despite fading to win just 4 of their last 10 overall. Ronald Acuna Junior leads the side with 41 home runs, while the consistent Freddie Freeman has an impressive team-leading 121 RBI. Dallas Keuchel is slated to pitch here, going 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA through 112 innings.
St Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have been anything but slackers this season, winning their division with a 91-71 regular season record. They were a respectable 41-40 in road games, going 6-4 in their last 10. Paul Goldschmidt was their main man offensively, playing in 161 games and putting up 34 homers and 97 RBI. Miles Mikolas will pitch in this one, going 9-14 with a 4.16 ERA through 184 innings.
Prediction: Braves $1.70
Ultimately, I think Atlanta has a number of small matchup advantages across the field here. They’ve got a deeper and more versatile batting lineup that has really performed well. Similarly, Keuchel has also significantly outduelled his opposite number over the course of the season. Combine that with St Louis being just a mediocre side on the road and I think the $1.70 on offer is great value.
LA Dodgers
The Dodgers waltz into the post-season after an outstanding 106-56 regular season. They went 59-22 at Dodger Stadium and closed the season with 8 wins in their last 10. Cody Bellinger was elite from start to finish, leading the way with 47 home runs and 115 RBI. Walker Buehler will pitch in this one, going a solid 14-4 with a 3.26 ERA through 181 innings.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals more than earned their way here after a dramatic win in the wildcard game over Milwaukee. They were down from start to finish, until a 3-run homer from Juan Soto in the 8th got them over the line. They’re a middling 43-38 on the road this season, although a 9-1 run indicates they’re in very good form. Pat Corbin is slated to pitch here, going 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA through 202 innings so far.
Prediction: Dodgers $1.60
While the Nats have had a great second half of the season, they still aren’t on the Dodgers’ level. Dodger Stadium has been an absolute fortress this season and the Dodgers also have had more time to rest up and study their opponents. I think they’ve got the better batting lineup and that Walker Buehler has been nearly unplayable at home. I can’t see Washington scoring enough in this one, making LA a good bet to start 1-0 at home.