Ricky Dimon
The 2025 MLB postseason continues on Saturday with all 4 opening games in the Divisional Series. It’s Cubs vs Brewers, Yankees vs Blue Jays, Dodgers vs Phillies and Tigers vs Mariners. The Pickswise team is on an 49-32 run in this MLB best bets series. Let’s build on that momentum and hopefully deliver some more winners today!
Make sure you also check out our MLB picks for every game on Saturday, October 3.
MLB best bet: Toronto Blue Jays ML over Detroit Tigers (-124)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
Since the inception of the wild-card round, getting a bye hasn’t guaranteed success in the Division Series. Too much time off can hurt in some situations. In this case, however, I like the well-rested Blue Jays. Fatigue obviously isn’t a factor in the bullpen and the starting rotation is set up to their liking. Kevin Gausman is getting the nod on Saturday and he absolutely befuddled the Yankees in his 2 most recent head-to-head appearances. In those 2 starts, Gausman worked 15.0 innings and allowed just 2 runs on 8 hits.
New York is coming off an intense 3-game series against Boston. Cam Schlittler saved most of the bullpen with a dominant performance in a win-or-go-home situation on Thursday, but this is still a very quick turnaround in between series for everyone involved. The visitors are handing the ball to Luis Gil, who performed well in limited work during the regular season but does not have any playoff success. In 2 lifetime postseason appearances (both in 2024), Gil has a 6.75 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Give me the Jays to take care of business in front of their home crowd.
MLB best bet: Los Angeles Dodgers F5 ML over Philadelphia Phillies (+105)
Odds available at BetOnline Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Dodgers have a great chance to ride momentum from a dominant performance against Cincinnati in the Wild Card Series and steal Game 1 in Philadelphia. That being said, I still feel better about removing the bullpen from the equation and backing L.A. in the first 5 innings – even though there were not exactly any high-leverage situations for relievers in the two games against Cincy. With a first 5 bet, we can pretty much just roll with Shohei Ohtani. The right-hander was fantastic on the mound down the stretch of the regular season, firing 14.2 scoreless innings in his last 3 starts.
Philadelphia is countering with Christopher Sanchez, who has enjoyed a fantastic year but has not done anything against the Dodgers. In 2 head-to-head outings, Sanchez pitched to a 5.68 ERA in 12.2 innings. Moreover, all of the pressure is on the Phillies. They have perennially contended for World Series titles over the past 5 years or so and have not gotten the job done. The Dodgers, on the other hand, just won it all 12 months ago. The visitors know how to get it done this time of year.
Read our full Dodgers vs Phillies prediction
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