Best MLB Bets for Every Game Today (Odds, Predictions and Picks for Friday's Wild Card Slate)
By Ben Heisler
Major League Baseball's postseason arrives with a full weekend slate of games to determine the newly formatted American League and National League Wild Card winners.
Every wild card team is set for a best-of-three series Friday through Sunday, with the winners moving on to the AL and NL Divisional round of the postseason.
Here are my best bets for each game on the board, beginning with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians at 12:07 p.m. ET, and concluding with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets at 8:07 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians Game 1 Prediction and Best Bet
PICK: Guardians -115
The total keeps dropping and I'm already on board for Shane Bieber's over on strikeouts at 5.5.
Both Bieber and Shane McClanahan have been lethal throughout the season, and the Rays have struggled vs. right-handers of late; ranked fifth-highest in strikeout percentage.
Between the early start on the road, the Rays' issues vs. righties and the odds continuing to shift towards Cleveland, I'll back them at home today.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals Game 1 Prediction and Best Bet
PICK: OVER 6.5 (-110)
I like Josh Yourish's analysis for this game and will tail his pick on the over of 6.5.
The Phillies' bats have been excellent vs. left-handed pitching with the fourth-best OPS against left-handers this season.
José Quintana has been terrific down the stretch, but he doesn't miss bats, striking out hitters at barely over a 20% clip.
Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays Game 1 Prediction and Best Bet
PICK: Mariners +116
I'm not sure who gets the edge between two outstanding pitchers in Luis Castillo and Alek Manoah, but I much prefer the Mariners' bullpen to that of Toronto's. In a low-scoring game, that may be a decisive factor that gives the edge to Seattle.
Seattle took the season series 5-2 and have also been excellent of late on the road, going 5-0 vs. teams with winning records.
San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets Game 1 Prediction and Best Bet
PICK: Mets -145
I really like the yes-run-first-inning (YRFI) today as Yu Darvish's biggest struggles come in the first inning. For the Mets, giving Max Scherzer a few runs early could be the difference in a matchup with a total of 6.
Mad Max owns a 3.22 ERA; averaging 11.2 strikeouts per nine over his fantastic career.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.