Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Aaron Judge Prop, Trust Astros, Dodgers to Rout in Game 1)
The four Division Series matchups in the MLB playoffs kick off on Tuesday, and there are several bets to make for each matchup.
Whether you're looking for game picks, props or our best bets, BetSided's MLB picks page is the place to be.
Here are a few of our favorite plays for today's action, including a player prop on New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge:
Aaron Judge OVER 0.5 Walks -- Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees
The American League Home Run King has been a machine at getting on base, and the Guardians likely will be careful with Judge and dare the rest of the Yankees to beat them.
In the month of September, Judge worked 33 walks in 29 games. Cal Quantrill has good control, walking just 47 batters this season in 186.1 innings, but one would think he may pitch to Judge a little differently, especially in a high-leverage spot.
Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Mariners have a solid group at the top of their rotation, and Logan Gilbert may have the best stuff of all of them, striking out 174 batters in 185.2 innings this season.
Still, facing Justin Verlander is not an easy task, and the AL Cy Young candidate has been downright dominant over his last 15 starts, posting a 1.26 ERA.
The total in this game is low at 6.5, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for betting the UNDER, especially early with this pitching matchup. That being said, I think there is value in backing the Astros here, as they’ve won 11 of Verlander’s last 15 starts and all 11 have come by two or more runs.
Gilbert also has a tendency to have a start where he can blow up, which is certainly possible in his first ever postseason start, on the road, against a proven veteran team.
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Odds, Prediction and Pick
Mike Clevinger gets the start for the Padres, and that's bad news for anyone who wants to back San Diego with their money. He has three starts against the Dodgers this season, and he gave up 14 earned runs in only 13 innings pitched for an ERA of 9.69.
That's terrible, to say the least.
The downside of the playing in the wild card round, especially when you go the full three games, is you have to start the back-end of your rotation in the second round and hope they can survive. Throwing Clevinger out is basically surrendering the opening game, and hoping you can come back against the Dodgers when you get back to the top of your rotation.
I'm in no rush to back the Padres in Game 1. I could be sold on them winning some later games in this series, but a rested Dodgers squad will make easy work of San Diego, like they have all season.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.