Javan Shouey
Yesterday was an amazing day of playoff baseball as the postseason began with 4 Wild Card Series games. Today presents 4 more intriguing matchups with teams trying to fend off elimination. Let’s dive in as we discuss how today’s first innings will unfold!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers – YRFI (+104)
Odds available at FanDuel sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -105 odds.
In Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers last night we saw the YRFI hit with Shohei Ohtani taking Hunter Green deep for a home run. That swing led off the bottom of the first inning, and I believe we see another YRFI in Wednesday night’s game. This Los Angeles offense was primed and ready to go in Game 1, scoring 5 runs within the first 3 innings and finishing the game with 10 runs crossing the plate. Cincinnati used their ace in Game 1 with Hunter Greene and are now turning to Zack Littell in Game 2. It will be interesting to see his leash in this game, but we only care about the first inning for this bet. Littell allowed 36 home runs in 186.2 innings of work this season. He did pitch his home games in a combination of Great American Ballpark and Tampa Bay’s minor league park, to be fair, but that home run mark is worrisome when running into a matchup with the top of this Dodgers lineup.
You may find enticing odds by isolating the Dodgers to score within the first inning, but at +104 odds for either team I am seeing value regardless. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is an elite starting pitcher and he has lived up to the hype when he signed that massive contract 2 off-season’s ago. He enters play having allowed 1 or 0 earned runs in his last 5 starts, and I expect him to pitch well again in this game as the Dodgers look to advance. That being said, there is something to be said for desperation in an elimination game, and the Reds have been essentially playing elimination games for a few weeks now. Look for their best effort as they look to strike first.
Read our full Reds vs Dodgers prediction
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees – NRFI (-140)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -145 odds.
Game 1 between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees was a beautiful playoff game to watch with elite starting pitching on both sides and timely hitting and managerial decisions winning the game at the end. Anytime we get a Yankees vs Red Sox matchup in the playoffs it is an absolute treat, especially when the stakes reach the point of an elimination game. Tonight, should be pure cinema with Brayan Bello and Carlos Rodon taking the mound for their respective clubs. I did write the game preview for this Game 2 matchup, and I lean towards the Yankees tying the series, but I also believe we will see a lower scoring game in this spot. Carlos Rodon enters the playoffs in terrific form for the Yankees, providing New York with another top shelf lefty atop their rotation. Rodon had a very successful regular season, and he pitched well in his most recent matchup with the Red Sox. I expect him to be fueled up by the home crowd as he delivers a scoreless first inning.
Brayan Bello is slated as the Game 2 starter for Boston as he looks to help his team advance to play the Toronto Blue Jays. Bello is not my preferred starter in this matchup as his September was not the best month of his season. He has also faced this Yankees lineup twice within a close proximity already. That being said, Bello has shredded this Yankees lineup twice this season with 2 separate 7-inning scoreless outings. He also posted a career-best 3.35 ERA across a career-high 166.2 innings of work, so a scoreless first frame is fully within play in this spot. If Bello can survive the Aaron Judge plate appearance this bet has a very solid chance of cashing. Good luck with all of your Game 2 wagers today!
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