The MLB Championship series’ are upon us, and the excitement is growing as October builds towards the World Series. One question is on everyone’s lips though: who will end up in the Fall Classic?
MLB tipster Andrew Cunneen goes in search of some value and gives us his preview of both league deciding series’.
MLB Playoff Series Tips
National League Championship Series – New York Mets @ LA Dodgers
National League Championship Series – Los Angeles Dodgers to Win 4-2
Enrique Hernandez to Hit 2+ Home Runs in the NLCS
American League Championship Series – Cleveland Guardians @ New York Yankees
New York Yankees to Win the ALCS
Juan Soto to Hit 2+ Home Runs in the ALCS
New York Mets @ LA Dodgers
GAME 1: Monday, 14th of October, 1:15am
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV: TNT Sports
National League Championship Series – Los Angeles Dodgers to Win 4-2
All things considered, the LA Dodgers are streets ahead of the New York Mets here. The only metric in which the Mets surpass LA is in the luxury tax bill for their expensive roster.
Despite that, taking each game on a starting pitcher versus starting pitcher basis, the Dodgers likely give up games to Sean Manaea, but that’s about it. LA won’t feel the need to bring anyone in on short rest due to the success of their bullpen, keeping San Diego scoreless in Game 4 of the NLDS.
Jack Flaherty hasn’t been perfect, but his high strikeout rate will be kryptonite for a Mets team that depends on contact. Buehler was superb in Game 3 and was only undone by a hilarity of defensive errors. His stuff was perfect.
You expect Yoshinobu Yamomoto, whose Game 5 showing was the pitching performance of the entire Divisional Series across both leagues, to play Game 3. Thus, he’d be back in time for a Game 7, but they likely wouldn’t need him.
So, you plot for a Flaherty, Buehler, Yamamoto, bullpen, Flaherty, Buehler, Yamamoto seven-game rotation. They’re not dropping three games here.
Enrique Hernandez to Hit 2+ Home Runs in the NLCS
It’s worth keeping an eye on Miguel Rojas’ health. And Freddie Freeman’s, for that matter too.
But having the flexibility of Kike Hernandez to play centre field to allow Tommy Edman into short was the spark they needed.
Particularly as Hernandez then went yard in a huge spot. All he did was swing the fences in October, and he now owns fourteen home runs in postseason baseball, which exceeds so many of the household names you immediately think of.
This is a great price for a player who, at the very least, will be pinch-hitting in many spots over the seven games.
Cleveland Guardians @ New York Yankees
GAME 1: Tuesday, 15th of October, 12:38am
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx
TV: TNT Sports
New York Yankees to Win the ALCS
Nobody wants the evil empire to win a World Series, and even fewer people want the global franchise derby between the Dodgers and the Yankees, but it’s headed that way.
Apart from having significantly more big-moment players, even allowing for the hilarity of Aaron Judge’s postseason blues, the Yankees rotation is well-placed to pick up a weak link if they need to.
They’ll likely role with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, but having Marcus Stroman, who’s struggled in the early part of his starts as a middle-inning eater, could be highly beneficial.
And while some might have been wary of their bullpen, the heroics performed against Kansas City have them breathing ever so slightly easier now.
Juan Soto to Hit 2+ Home Runs in the ALCS
Juan Soto is probably the best player in baseball after Ohtani, but his biggest asset, his plate patience, has always worked against him. He doesn’t jump on pitches outside the zone, and pitchers are generally content with evading his slug.
But the evolution of that in the playoffs, particularly in home games, you’d rather go after him instead of issuing the walk to start a rally.
Tanner Bibee is a superb starting ace, and Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb are functional in behind, but while they all have good stuff, their command is occasionally what lets them down.
Soto will wait until the flinch because he knows he can.
MLB betting tips
New York Mets @ LA Dodgers
National League Championship Series – Los Angeles Dodgers to Win 4-2
Enrique Hernandez to Hit 2+ Home Runs in the NLCS
Cleveland Guardians @ New York Yankees
New York Yankees to Win the ALCS
Juan Soto to Hit 2+ Home Runs in the ALCS
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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