There are three different games on Wednesday — two of them are elimination scenarios too. You’re going to want to read this to get the best bets on what’s left for the AL and NL Divisional playoffs.
- What: ALDS Game 4 and NLDS Game 3
- When: Wednesday, October 11
Game 3: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
This matchup has been the most surprising, but at the same time, the least surprising one too. The 100-win Dodgers find themselves in a 2-0 hole against a DBacks team that barely made the playoffs with 84 wins (and four straight losses to end the season). But at the same time, Los Angeles have been criminal underachievers for a decade now, always finding ways to crash out come October. Anyway, here’s the Game 3 betting line between LA and Arizona:
| Team |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA Dodgers | -140 | -140 | -140 |
| Arizona | +125 | +125 | +125 |
The Dodgers have largely been undone in this series by shaky starting pitching. In Game 1, usual ace until October rolls around, Clayton Kershaw was tagged for six runs and managed just one out before being taken out. Game 2 starter Bobby Miller was chased out in the second inning after too. Now veteran Lance Lynn gets the nod for LA in Game 3. This will mark his 28th postseason appearance so experience won’t be an issue.
We can’t help but think the team — from manager Dave Roberts to its high-priced lineup — are thinking to themselves, “not again.” Remember, this team flatlined a year ago to a different division rival in the Padres, who swept them this same round. Mental confidence is massive in this sport and there’s little right now for the Dodgers. Pitching has been an issue, but so too has hitting as LA has mustered just six runs in two games.
Blood is in the water, and we’re betting Arizona finishes them off in Game 3. The Dodgers’ Lynn has the dubious honor of allowing the most home runs of any pitcher league-wide this season. That factor, plus what will be a hot home crowd, will key the Diamondbacks to run away with Game 3. We’re betting the moneyline, but if you’re feeling risky, taking an alternate line on Arizona to win more might be worth it. Simply put, Los Angeles is done for this game and series.
Game 4: Houston Astros at Minnesota Twins
Just like it’s the usual script for LA, the same can be said about Houston. They lead the series 2-1, putting them one win away from a seventh straight trip to the ALCS — an absurd accomplishment in this era. Minnesota, though, are slight favorites on the moneyline (-120). We think this is a dicey game to pick a winner so our money is going on the Houston-Minnesota over/under instead. Here’s how the best betting sites for baseball have it pegged:
| Outcome | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 8 runs | -120 | -120 | -120 |
| Under 8 runs | +100 | +100 | +100 |
We’ll be upfront and say we have worries about each starting pitcher. Twins are giving the nod to Joe Ryan who was consistently inconsistent during the season going 11-10 with a 4.51 ERA. What worries us more, however, is Ryan hasn’t pitched since September 29. That’s quite a long layoff and we can’t help but believe there’ll be some rust associated with his throwing.
Jose Urquidy goes for Houston. Most expected him to come out of the bullpen this series so he was a surprise starter over JP France. Urquidy will likely have a short leash on this one, but even then, his 5.29 ERA doesn’t evoke a lot of confidence.
To us, this game has over written all over it. Not only is the pitching shaky, but both these teams can hit. The Astros are fresh off a 14-hitter in Game 3. Most of the lineup is all-too-familiar with these close-out situations so we’d expect them to bring it. The Twins were able to hit in Game 3, their issue was it didn’t come when they needed it. Minnesota went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. We’d expect a better outing with their back on the wall so jump on that over.
Game 3: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Here's a series tied one game a piece. It now heads to Philadelphia, who are slight moneyline favorites over the winningest team in baseball, Atlanta. Here's how the odds shake out both ways:
| Team | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | -120 | -120 | -120 |
| Atlanta | +100 | +100 | +100 |
We'll be blunt with this betting pick: Braves starter Bryce Elder scares us. Scares us because he's been a clear downtrend since the All-Star break. You wouldn't be able to tell by his season-long ERA, which hovers at 3.81. However, coming out of the All-Star game, that number is 5.11. See what we're talking about? We got a feeling Philly roughs him up and takes Game 3!
How To Bet On MLB Playoffs?
Get your MLB playoffs bets in at one of the bookmakers below — that goes for today and the rest of the way. Today, you’ll want to lock in these wagers soon since games are a few hours away. You’ll be hard-pressed to find better MLB prices than what’s offered at these sites, which alerted highly in our latest sportsbook reviews.
If you want extra spending money, there are also lucrative sportsbook bonuses available. Deals like these could get you paid in the hundreds to thousands of dollars range so that’s plenty to cover your MLB betting until the World Series. Our favorite offers are listed below:
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