Caleb Wilfinger
Major League Baseball playoff action rolls on with the final day of the ALDS on Friday, October 10. Following the first 4 games of the American League series between the Tigers and Mariners, we have a high-profile ALDS Game 5 showdown between Detroit and Seattle for the right to advance to the American League Championship Series. Both teams are in unfamiliar territory compared to recent seasons, but it’s hard to ignore the home-field advantage that Seattle will have in this game. However, we won’t be focusing on the side in this contest.
Even though this is the only game on the board on Friday, there is still a bet that we like in the YRFI/NRFI market, so let’s get into our best bet for a quick and simple first-inning wager in this Tigers vs Mariners series-deciding matchup. You can also lock in our MLB picks for this matchup along with every game throughout the MLB playoffs.
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Tigers vs Mariners – NRFI (-180)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -190.
Game 4 of the ALDS between the Tigers and Mariners was one that featured plenty of fireworks, with a combined 12 runs in that contest. However, given the magnitude of this sudden death elimination game, I’m of the opinion that Game 5 will get off to a much slower start when it comes to these offenses. For starters, Tarik Skubal is the scheduled pitcher for the Tigers in Game 5 and he’s easily the most proven commodity on the mound in this matchup. While we just saw the Mariners knock off the Tigers in a game where Skubal got the start, Seattle didn’t register a run until the 4th inning of that contest and the Tigers ace only allowed a pair of runs in that contest. The best pitcher in the American League should deliver once again in a spot where his team desperately needs a strong outing.
While Skubal is obviously is my preferred starting option in this matchup, he’ll be opposed by a starter who is plenty talented and could certainly leave his mark on this contest. Despite an inconsistent regular season, George Kirby has been excellent at home all year long and he certainly delivered against the Tigers, allowing just 1 extra-base hit in his first outing of the series back in Game 1. Kirby should be comfortable to start this game and it’s important to consider that even in wins, Detroit’s offense has started very slow this series, and I’d expect that to continue on Friday. It’s a heavily juiced under, I can only look toward the NRFI on Friday.
Read our full Tigers vs Mariners ALDS Game 5 prediction, along with our MLB best bets for today
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