Rejoice, we have a four game slate to break down as the White Sox held off elimination last night and now we see if they and the Rays can do that today to give us two game fives in the American League while the National League series both sit at 1-1 and shift to Atlanta and Los Angeles.
The approach today is to utilize our short slate strategy of pitchers in one game, hitters in another and the games break down as such: Runs in American League, Pitching in National League. The order for the times to watch the games today is …
- Milwaukee vs Atlanta
- Houston vs Chicago (Has weather see below)
- Tampa vs Boston
- San Francisco vs LA
WEATHER
Houston and Chicago in theory could have some rain issues that they have to navigate around today. The game is set to start at 3:37 and that is right around the time the heavy rain could come through but there is going to be a window to get the game in afterwards, so I do not see this being a 100% wash-out. That said, they obviously could shift game 4 to tomorrow and turn around and play game 5 if necessary as planned on Wednesday. I highly doubt they do that, but it does have risk which we’ll keep a closer eye on.
As one would like with two series starting and the other two in game 2, we have good pitching going today. Better than I can recall though in recent years for the Divisional round.
Max Scherzer … $8,900
This is why the Dodgers got Max. Without Bauer they needed to have three deep at pitcher and being able to pitch Julio Urias and Walker Buehler in the first two games and come back with Max now in game three after he pitched in the wild card game is why they’re a heavy favorite. Max has been stout at home in Dodger Stadium since coming over via trade and has dominated the Giants historically. Cooler temps out in LA tonight and a likely chance for Max to just go bananas. I love that DraftKings has actually made pricing flat for the playoffs so that it opens up many different combinations, but I don’t see fading Max as a good strategy today. Lock him in.
Ian Anderson … $7,100
There is going to be a heavy temptation to play the hitters in this first game in a decent hitters park. But we’re not in July down in Atlanta and it’s not as hot and humid as it normally would be and Anderson/Peralta both grade out well in their matchups, but with Max being a lock for me I would take the $1100 discount with Anderson.
I like Max & Anderson for main lineup.
Second lineups would be wise to go Max & Wood or Anderson & Peralta
Red Sox vs Rays
Lean to Rays
The bullpens got burned out last night with the long game. Tampa went through most of their arms while Boston which has a thin bullpen had to get a strong performance from Pivetta to help them out, but Eduardo Rodriguez is now facing the Rays already the second time in this series and I don’t see how he will go beyond 4 innings today. Someone in the bottom of the Rays order is going to be a hero today but I do not see it being Luplow again assuming he starts. Margot or Kiermaier against the bullpen the logical choices. But it is a catcher Monday today, so do with that what you may.
For Boston they should see a combination of Colin McHugh and Josh Fleming today and either scenario results in Kyle Schwarber hitting a HR.
Astros vs White Sox
Lean to White Sox
Really don’t expect much of an offensive explosion today across the games but this one is where I would immediately jump back onto with the Astros/White Sox being the second favorite game to target. Alex Bregman and Tim Anderson are part of what I would consider a “CORE” today. Urquidy is worse vs RH power hitters and the White Sox will Ambush him.
POSITIONAL TARGETS
CATCHER
- Travis d’Arnaud
- Martin Maldanado
FIRST BASE
- Kyle Schwarber
- Albert Pujols
SECOND BASE
- Enrique Hernandez vs Brandon Lowe: Kike should be chalk here as he is 8-12 over the last two games with 2 HR, while Brandon Lowe is 0-14 in the series and in a LvL starting matchup. Nobody should have Lowe but he is a fantastic leverage play.
- Trea Turner
THIRD BASE
- Alex Bregman
- Yandy Diaz
SHORTSTOP
- Tim Anderson
- Dansby Swanson
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Eloy Jimenez
- Luis Robert
- Randy Arozarena
- Mookie Betts
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Nelson Cruz
- Kyle Tucker – Decent in LvL and hitting very well right now
- Chris Taylor / AJ Pollock … Pending lineup
- Avisail Garcia … This would prove to be the dagger shot if there is one off Anderson. Nice SGP pick on player to get a HIT
Smaller Dongers Club in the playoffs …
- Tim Anderson – SS – Chicago White Sox – Chairman of the Dongers Club
- Kyle Schwarber – OF – Boston Red Sox
- Alex Bregman – 3B – Astros
BETS
- Brewers/Braves UNDER 8
- Giants/Dodgers UNDER 7.5
- Astros/White Sox OVER 8.5
- Rays/Red Sox OVER 9.5