The MLB regular season is officially over, and Wild Card games start this week. The first game is taking place while writing this piece on October 5th between the Yankees and Red Sox. There were some teams that really disappointed this season by not making the playoffs. Of note, the Philadelphia Phillies. Two seasons after signing Bryce Harper to a bank-shattering $330 million contract, the Phillies have yet to make the playoffs with him in the outfield.
The Phillies have not made the postseason in over ten years. Some other teams of note to not make the postseason are the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and the Seattle Mariners. The Phillies missed by 8 wins, the Padres by 11, Toronto by 1, and the Mariners by 2. The Blue Jays missing it by a game is severely disappointing. Of course, with Sports Betting Guide and our bookmakers, you won't be disappointed as we provide the best MLB betting tips & odds you need for the upcoming action.
Upcoming Big Games
The series leading up to the Wild Card were very exciting, but that is behind us, and the postseason is about to go into full swing. Pun intended. The first game is on the 7th between the Astros and White Sox and the second series slated is the Brewers versus the Braves. The games of the week are the Wild Card game between the Cardinals and Dodgers, game one of the White Sox and Astros, and Game one of the Brewers and Braves.
Game 1: National League Wild Card game- St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The second Wild Card matchup will be taking place in Los Angeles between the Cardinals and Dodgers. The Dodgers were one game behind the Giants, and the Cardinals went on a 17-game winning streak to make it into the playoffs. Echoing the late season rocket propulsion in the standing that their NHL neighbors took on their way to the Stanley Cup. The starting pitchers are Adam Wainwright and Max Scherzer for the Dodgers. The game is at 8:10est.
Pitchers
Adam Wainwright
Wainwright is 17-7 this season with an ERA of 3.05. His WAR is 3.7 for the 2021 season. He pitched 206 innings this season and started 32 games for the Cardinals. He has 174 strikeouts for the season.
Max Scherzer
Scherzer is 15-4 this season with an ERA of 2.46. His WAR is 5.3 for the 2021 season. He pitched 179 innings this season for the Dodgers. He started 30 games and has 236 strikeouts this season.
Betting Odds & Spreads
The money line for the Wild Card is St. Louis +188 and Los Angeles -225. The spread is +1.5 (-120) for St. Louis and -1.5 (+100) for the Dodgers. The over under is 7.5. St. Louis has +2500 odds of winning the World Series and the Dodgers have +400. The Dodgers currently have a 61.6% chance of winning the game.
Game 1- Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros
The White Sox and the Astros met seven times this season and the White Sox lost five out of the seven games. In those seven games, the Astros beat the White Sox by a combined score of 37-23, two of those games had each team win one game with 10 runs. Should be a really good best of five for these teams, with the Astros being a favorite. If the White Sox want to beat the Astros, they need to get runs up fast and early, and win a road game early. The first game is October 7th at 4:07est.
Matchup
Chicago has one of the best slash lines in the league with .256/ .336/ .422. It results in a 109 wRC+, which is tied with the Rays for number three in the league. Houston’s slash line is .267/ .339/ .444 with a 116 wRC+, the best in baseball. The Astros have better fielding than the White Sox going in, and the Astro’s bullpen is looking better as well with Lance McCullers Junior the starting pitcher.
Betting Odds & Spreads
Money line is Chicago with +128 and Houston -152. The spread is +1.5 (-160) for Chicago and -1.5(+132) for the Astros. It's set for 8 over. The Astros have 62.7% of winning and a +500 World Series odds.
Game 1- Atlanta Braves vs Milwaukee Brewers
The post season is no stranger to these two teams as they have both made them in the last four seasons. This 2021 NLDS is the first time these two division champion teams have met in the postseason. The early before series starting edge is going to the Brewers, but of course things can change. The Braves lineup scored the seventh most runs this season, but Corbin Burnes averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings this past season.
Corbin Burnes
Burnes has 11 wins and 5 loses this season, he started 28 games for the Brewers as well. He had 234 strikeouts this season with a WHIP of 0.94.
Betting Odds & Spreads
Money line is Atlanta +120 and Milwaukee -142. The spread is +1.5 Atlanta and -1.5 Milwaukee. Over under is 7.5. The World Series odds are +1200 Atlanta and +900 Milwaukee.
