Javan Shouey
Sunday saw the Seattle Mariners grab a Game 1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS in what was a very entertaining matchup. Game 2 is set to be another classic, and we have the first inning preview for that matchup as well as Game 1 of the NLCS between the Dodgers and Brewers. Let’s dive in!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays – NRFI (-130)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -135 odds.
I am a fan of the NRFI in Game 2 of the ALCS Monday evening. Logan Gilbert is scheduled to start this game for the Mariners as they look to take a 2-0 series lead on the road. Gilbert was lights out in Game 3 for the Mariners on the 7th of October, tossing 6 innings of 1-run ball in a Seattle win. He then contributed 2 crucial innings in their 15-inning win in Game 5. Now pitching on only 2 days of rest, there is concern when it comes to how deep the right-hander can work tonight. We only care about his first inning performance for the sake of this bet, however, and I do expect a strong inning from Logan in this spot. Earlier in the season the Blue Jays did score in the first inning against Gilbert but given his strong form and the stakes of this game I expect him to be sharp to start tonight.
Trey Yesavage is the scheduled starter for the Blue Jays in Game 2, and Toronto fans are likely happy with that given how lethal he looked in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees. Yesavage tossed 5.1 hitless frames in that Toronto win, allowing just 1 walk with 11 strikeouts against 18 batters faced. It was a dazzling effort from the rookie right-hander, and we can expect him to be fired up once again given tonight’s matchup. Seattle does have several powerful bats atop their batting order, and a YRFI is always in play given their firepower. That being said, given current pricing and the starting pitching matchup, I lean towards the NRFI in this spot.
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers – NRFI (-122)
Odds available at FanDuel sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125 odds.
This NRFI suggestion is under the assumption that the Milwaukee Brewers use Quinn Priester or some opener against the top of this lethal Los Angeles Dodgers lineup. Milwaukee has yet to announce a starter, and if they open with Jose Quintana then I would likely lean the other way. The Brewers have already announced that Freddy Peralta will start Game 2, ruling him out of the equation. This is a series in which Brandon Woodruff would have been a massive arm to have on their side. Nonetheless, I would wait before placing a first inning bet in this game until Milwaukee officially names a starting pitcher. For the purposes of this article, if they start Priester I do believe he will bounce back from his poor outing in Chicago. Priester delivered 6 scoreless frames against the Dodgers earlier this season, and pitching in this setting at home may ease his nerves.
Blake Snell is the real reason why I lean towards the NRFI without knowing Milwaukee’s starter. Snell enters this Game 1 matchup in awesome form for the Dodgers, having tossed 13 innings of 2-run ball in the first 2 round for Los Angeles. Milwaukee is a patient lineup that could frustrate Snell the 2nd time through the lineup, but in the 1st inning I expect him to have a plan of attack. Snell only tossed 61.1 regular season innings for the Dodgers so having him healthy at this time is truly all they could have hoped for. Look for the veteran southpaw to come out fired up as he delivers a scoreless 1st for his club.
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