There are still a lot of races that haven’t been decided with only two weeks left in the season. There are still division and Wild Card races, but in the new playoff format, seeding is also important for some teams in terms of home-field advantage and first-round byes.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
- Braves -1.5 in Leg 1. (-118)
- Dansby Swanson will have 2+ total bases (+105) in Leg 2.
- Leg 3: Spencer Strider has more than 7.5 strikeouts (-150)
The Braves would love to complete the series sweep of the Phillies because they are in one of the league’s tightest races.
According to Vegas Insider, they have the right man for the job, as Spencer Strider currently has the second-best odds to win National League Rookie of the Year. He’s one of the more exciting young pitchers, as his fastball can reach triple digits and he has 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Phillies will respond with a rising young starter of their own. Bailey Falter has been outstanding in his second season, with the Phillies going 6-0 in his last six starts. He’s faced the Marlins, Pirates, Diamondbacks, and Mets during this stretch, so this will be the best lineup he’s seen.
Every game is important for the Braves, and I like Strider coming up big in this spot.
OKBet Sportsbook Ph Parlay Odds: +434
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds
- Cardinals -1.5 in Leg 1. (-126)
- Leg 2: Albert Pujols will have an RBI (+145).
- Jordan Montgomery has fewer than 4.5 strikeouts in Leg 3. (-134)
Andrew Heaney has been plagued by shoulder issues all season, but when he’s on the mound, he’s had a career year. He currently has a 2.84 ERA, 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings, and 7.3 hits per nine innings. He is yet another example of a new Dodgers pitcher making an immediate impact.
Alex Cobb has been a similar case in that he has dealt with injuries this season but has pitched well when he has been on the mound. He’s 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA in his last six starts, but his worst start came against the Dodgers, when he went only 4.2 innings and allowed three runs.
The Dodgers have won their division, but they still want to be the top seed in the National League. Tonight, I have them getting a sweep in The Bay.
