MLB Probable Pitchers for Tuesday, October 18 (Who's Starting for Every MLB Team Today?)
By Peter Dewey
For the second time in the ALDS, rain postponed a game between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees. Now, New York hosts Cleveland on Tuesday afternoon with a trip to the ALCS on the line in Game 5.
In the National League, the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies open the NLCS with a battle of aces. Which wild card team has the advantage in that series?
Every day at BetSided, we break down the starting pitching matchups for every game to help you place your wagers on MLB. The playoffs are no different, and we have some intrigue in both games as to who is on the mound:
Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees Probable Pitchers
- Guardians: Aaron Civale (5-6, 4.92 ERA)
- Yankees: Nestor Cortes Jr. (12-4, 2.44 ERA)
The rainout on Monday allows the Yankees to bring back lefty Nestor Cortes on short rest in Game 5. Cortes, who allowed two runs across five innings of work in Game 1, gets the start over Jameson Taillon, who was originally slated to pitch this game.
Despite the extra day of rest, the Guardians won't start Shane Bieber, their ace, on three days rest. That means Aaron Civale gets the start in a likely bullpen game.
Sounds like Civale vs. Cortes now for Game 5.
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) October 18, 2022
Cleveland approach doesn't really change. Still have a full rested 'pen. All hands on-deck. And now...you have Shane Bieber whenever you want.
Cleveland has one of the best bullpens in baseball, so if Civale (5.40 ERA in the first inning this season) can hold the Yankees down early, the Guardians could shorten this game.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres Probable Pitchers
- Phillies: Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82 ERA)
- Padres: Yu Darvish (16-8, 3.10 ERA)
We have a battle of aces in Game 1 of the NLCS, as Zack Wheeler and Yu Darvish both look to keep their impressive postseason runs going.
This season, Darvish made two starts against the Phillies, allowing three earned runs across 13 total innings. As for Wheeler, he threw seven shutout innings in his lone start against the Friars.
As good as these offenses have been this postseason coming up with timely hits, we could see a low-scoring affair with these two righties on the mound.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.