Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Phillies Upset Again, Fade Jameson Taillon on Wednesday)

Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12).
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12). / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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For the second straight night, we have a pair of MLB playoff games.

This time, both series are in the Championship Series, as the New York Yankees advanced to take on the Houston Astros.

BetSided's Reed Wallach called the Philadelphia Phillies upset in Game 1 of the NLCS, and he has another pick for that series in Game 2. Let's jump into today's top picks and predictions:

Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres Odds, Prediction and Pick

I mentioned in my Game 1 preview that there is a very small difference between the two teams, and I would back either one as underdogs. We have a very similar line in this matchup, creating a value on Philly, who has the edge both on the mound and at the plate.

Aaron Nola has pitched 12-plus innings of scoreless baseball across two postseason starts and the Phillies' bullpen should be more than comfortable pitching if necessary after Zack Wheeler pitched seven innings of one hit ball in Game 1.

Meanwhile, this is an advantageous matchup for Philadelphia's lineup, ranked third in batting average and fourth in OPS against southpaws during the regular season. Blake Snell had a strong second half of the year, but still struggles with his command, walking nearly four batters per nine innings.

If Snell struggles to punch out batters, it could be a long night for San Diego pitchers with the lefty exiting the game early.

I'll grab underdog money on Philly for the second straight game.

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Best Prop Bet

Jameson Taillon UNDER 3.5 Strikeouts 

Jameson Taillon isn’t a strikeout pitcher, registering 151 punch outs in 177.1 innings this season and posting a strikeout percentage in the 35th percentile.

Now, he faces a Houston team that averaged just 7.36 K’s per game this season, good for second best in MLB. Taillon allowed 10 hits and six earned runs to this Astros team in his regular season start against them, so there’s a chance he gets chased relatively early in Game 1. 

I’ll fade him at plus money to pick up fewer than four punch outs.


Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.