The Wildcard round is now behind us and it’s time to get some action together for this first day of the divisional series round. After Pete Alonso destroyed our tickets on Thursday night, we’ll look to get back on track tonight with multiple picks for each game.
Detroit Tigers at. Cleveland Guardians
Tyler Holton (0-0) vs. Tanner Bibee
Tigers Moneyline (+124) & Colt Keith Over 0.5 Hits
We will not stray away from the Gritty Tigs until they prove that they won’t defy the odds and win. They’ve excelled at bullpen games and this looks to be another classic case of a 2024 Tigers bullpen game.
Tyler Holton looks to get the Tigers off to a good start while the rest of the pitching staff hopes to carry on their success from the previous series into Progressive Field. The first pick for this game is the Tigers on the moneyline, with consensus odds of +124.
They historically have done well against Tanner Bibee, recording a .316 batting average across 76 total at bats. One of the most successful hitters against Bibee is rookie Colt Keith. The Tigers rookie is an expected impact bat out of the middle of the batting order, and is a .444 hitter against Tanner Bibee.
While Keith hasn’t gotten a postseason hit yet, today could very well be the day against a pitcher he does so well against.
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
Kodai Senga vs. Zack Wheeler
Over 7 Runs Scored (alt line)
While some are on the under for Zack Wheeler and Kodai Senga this afternoon, we’re fading that pick and going with the over. Wheeler is a dominant starter but against a division rival in the Mets, has allowed them to record a .281 batting average against him in 171 total at bats.
The Mets are a scary force to have to go up against right now, with their entire team playing for each other. On the other hand, it is Red October and with that, the Phillies should have some fireworks of their own tonight.
Three out of the last five games between these two have hit this line of over seven runs, and for what should be an incredible NL East matchup has the makings of an over.
Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees
Michael Wacha vs. Gerrit Cole
Yankees -1.5 & Juan Soto Over 1.5 Total Bases
The Yankees are starting their chase for 28 tonight in Yankee Stadium. With Gerrit Cole on the mound the Bronx Bombers need to set the tone, and covering the spread in game one would be just the thing to do to set the tone in the right way.
In his first postseason game at Yankee Stadium, Juan Soto should be a big contributor. Against the Royals starter Michael Wacha, Soto has recorded a .400 batting average in his five at bats against the right hander. While he has no extra base hits against Wacha, Soto is a bat that lives for the big moments and bright lights. He now has that at its peak in New York.
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers
Dylan Cease vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Padres Moneyline & Fernando Tatis Jr. Over 1.5 Total Bases
We’re at the point where it seems like we’re just recycling picks but these two for great reason. The Padres are rolling heading into this NLDS and with their ace in Dylan Cease on the mound have to be feeling good.
If the Padres want to swing the momentum of this game early, they know exactly who to turn to. Fernando Tatis Jr. has been on fire recently and leads the Padres in postseason batting average in 2024. Coming off of a home run in game one of the wildcard, and three hits in game two, we’ll take our chances on his over 1.5 total base line again.