
Zack's Past Picks
The World Series is the ultimate matchup between the LA Dodgers and New York Yankees. As masterful as manager Dave Roberts decisions have been in the postseason, things may unravel quickly against this Yankees lineup. Electing to start Jack Flaherty I expect to get the Dodgers behind right off the bat in game one. Flaherty has given up three runs or more in five of his last six starts, including a season worst eight runs to the Padres on October 18th. Additionally, the Yankees have been clutch in the postseason against opposing bullpens. Take the Yankees in game one.
It’s a pricey spot in game one of the ALCS on the Yankees side. Cleveland is coming off a thrilling game five victory over the Detroit Tigers. Look for the Yankees to use that to their advantage, even if Carlos Rodon struggles similar to his game two performance against the Royals. Cleveland maximized their bullpen to win games four and five over the Tigers, and arms will be tested as Alex Cobb may only go four to five innings. Take the Yankees.
Success twice in a postseason series as a starting pitcher is so tough to replicate. I expect that to be the case tonight for San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish. Darvish has also had issues in close out postseason games where he is 0-2 in his career. Losses in 2017 in game seven of the World Series, and two seasons ago in the NLDS to the Philadelphia Phillies. Take the Dodgers to win a tight one, and advance to the NLCS.
In any postseason sport involving a series, leaving the door open usually comes back to bite a team. That is the case for the New York Mets who unraveled in the eighth inning yesterday. Now the Brewers have Tobias Myers on the mound who is fresh. Over his last two regular season starts he threw just 49 and 56 pitches. Take the Brewers to close out the Mets and advance to the NLDS.
Sometimes the most dangerous postseason teams at least for a round are the teams that stumbled down the stretch. Over their final thirteen games Kansas City went just 4-9 overall. Yet, they have new life now and in Cole Ragans lone trip to Baltimore this season he gave up just one hit through six and a third innings. Additionally, Baltimore has not won a postseason game since 2014. Take the Royals as the underdog in game one.
At stake in the regular season finale between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays is reaching .500. Both have a current record of 80-81, and it’s the Rays who have took the first two games over the Red Sox. Just two weeks ago Rays starter Ryan Pepiot had a season high twelve strikeouts against the Red Sox, but the Ray still lost. More runs today but tail the Red Sox to avoid the sweep.
Tristan Beck will get the start today for Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants. As a team look for the Giants to respond off of yesterday’s series opening loss to St. Louis. They had opportunities to extend a 3-2 lead with runners on and no outs but generated nothing. St. Louis remains undefeated on the season against San Francisco. Take the Giants to play with some pride and get their first win of the season against St. Louis.
Just two starts ago Nick Pivetta faced the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa. The outing was going well until the fifth inning where Pivetta got into trouble and ended up getting pulled. Overall, Pivetta matched a season high with three home runs allowed. Take Tampa here as the slight road underdog.
Zach Eflin of the Baltimore Orioles will make his fourth start of the season today against the New York Yankees. That familiarity should help him in the strikeout department, as the only other team he has seen four times this year was the Toronto Blue Jays. In his fourth appearance against the Blue Jays he had his best outing against them in terms of strikeouts with seven. Additionally, he has been consistent with six strikeouts twice, and five another instance against the Yankees. Take Eflin’s over.
Tuesday, the San Diego Padres begin their final regular season series against the LA Dodgers. This has been a lopsided series in the states this year, where San Diego has won all three series with a 6-2 record. Michael King will look to cool off the Dodgers who are averaging 9 runs over their last eight games, but saw the Marlins and Rockies staffs the past two series. Look for the Padres to carry over momentum after winning eight of their last nine games.
Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks return off an ugly conclusion to their road series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Up 8-0, they ended up losing 11-10. San Francisco comes in off an overachieving road trip where they won five of six games. Additionally, Eduardo Rodriguez has been sharp his last two starts where he has picked up seven and eleven strikeouts. Lay the price here with the Diamondbacks.
Sunday, the San Francisco Giants once again find themselves at a discount with Blake Snell on the mound. The price may be proper with the game being more meaningful to the Royals and their wild card chances, but Kansas City is on a six game losing streak. San Francisco continues to play spoiler and sweeps the Royals on the road. Grab the Giants as the slight road favorites.
The New York Mets set a franchise record yesterday with three straight games of double digit runs. I expect that to finally cool off as we get Christopher Sanchez on the mound for the Phillies, and David Peterson for the Mets. This was the pitching matchup this past Sunday that produced three combined runs, the lowest output through eleven games in the series this season. Take the under here.
The Arizona Diamondbacks travel to face the Milwaukee Brewers after facing them at home last week. It was an eventful series that saw the Diamondbacks win the finale in extra innings, and also have high success against the Brewers bullpen. Today, look for Dbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt to respond off an abnormal outing against the Brewers in which he gave up eight runs in 1.2 innings.
Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies travel to face divisional rival in the New York Mets. In last week’s three-game home series the Phillies took two of three, and now will turn to Taijuan Walker. Walker pitched three innings without allowing a run on Saturday versus the Mets, and is under valued in the market in his first start since August 28th. Take the Phillies.