Category: Baseball

It looked like the Philadelphia Phillies were going to run away with the NLCS, up 2-0, but the Arizona Diamondbacks clawed their way back, tying the series at two games apiece. Tonight in Game 5 at Chase Field, the expected starters are Zack Wheeler for the Phillies and Zac Gallen for the D-backs. These two flamethrowers faced each other in Game 1, with Wheeler coming out on top. Wheeler is 2-0 in the postseason with a 2.37 ERA, a nasty WHIP of only 0.63, and is 6-3 lifetime against the Snakes with a 2.96 ERA. Gallen is 2-1 in the postseason with a 4.96 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Philadelphia has the edge in runs per game, run differential, batting average, hits and homers.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Houston Astros might be down 2-0 in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers but they are still the champs and they have Dusty Baker calling the shots. Don’t throw the towel on them just yet. Tonight’s expected starters in Game 3 are Cristian Javier for the Stros and Max Scherzer for the Rangers. Javier is 1-0 in the postseason with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Scherzer has shoulder issues and has not pitched since September 12th. This guy is 39 and not the force he once was. The last time Scherzer faced Houston, on Sept 9th, he was lit up, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits over just 3 innings of work, and the Astros went on to a 12-3 win. Houston will get to Max early and this one will be over.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS

The Philadelphia Phillies are the best team in baseball and will take care of business tonight in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizen Bank Park. Tonight’s expected starter are Zack Wheeler for the Phillies and Zac Gallen for the Snakes. Both guys can deliver and that is a fact. In the postseason, Gallen is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Wheeler is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and a WHIP of only 0.69. Arizona has been winning games because of their base running but Philly has J.T. Realmuto behind the plate and he will put an end to that.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

For the first time ever in the postseason, the Texas Rangers will face the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Game 1 of the ALCS. Verlander delivers in the postseason. Take the ‘Stros.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS

The Philadelphia Phillies are clicking and playing with confidence. With a win tonight against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park, they will advance to the NLCS to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies pounded the Braves last night, blowing them out 10-2, and have outscored Atlanta 17-7 over the first 3 games. Tonight’s expected starters will be a rematch of Game 1, with Spencer Strider getting the nod for Atlanta and Ranger Suárez for Philadelphia. Strider was sharp as usual in Game 1, allowing 1 run on 5 hits over 7 innings, but 1 run is all the Phillies needed. His counterpart, Ranger Suárez, pitched 3-2/3 innings, allowing just 1 hit and no runs, and Philadelphia went on to a 3-0 shutout win. We know Citizens Bank Park is going to be electric. Bryce Harper is playing like the superstar that he is and always brings his A-game to the postseason, especially against Atlanta. The last thing the Phillies want to do is to head to Truist Park for Game 5.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

With a loss tonight in the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be sent packing back to LA, down 2-0 in the best of 5 series, but not so fast. Keep in mind this team won 100 games in 2023, 47 on the road, and have two of the best in the Bigs, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Tonight’s expected starters are Lance Lynn for the Dodgers and Brandon Pfaadt for the Diamondbacks. Lynn’s numbers were not off the charts in the regular season, at 13-11, with a 5.73 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP, but he was sharp in his last turn against the San Francisco Giants, yielding just 2 runs on 2 hits over 6 innings of work and LA cruised to a 6-2 victory. He has also been a Diamondbacks killer in his career, with a record of 6-1 and a 2.96 ERA. Pfaadt’s numbers were not good in the regular season, at 3-9, with a 5.72 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and he was 0-2 against the Dodgers this year with a bloated ERA of 9.35. If the Dodgers are going to win one, this is it.
TONIGHT’S PICK: LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The ALDS is tied at a game apiece between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros and now the series heads up north today for a matinée at Target Field. The Twins bats came alive in Game 2, racking up 10 hits and downing the ‘Stros, 6-2. They will have the momentum going into today’s home game and will have their ace, Sonny Gray, on the hill. Gray was 8-8 in the regular season with an ERA of only 2.79 and a 1.15 WHIP. He was lights out against the Jays in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card, yielding 5 hits and no runs over 5 innings, and Minnesota went on to a 2-0 shutout win. Houston will counter with Cristian Javier, who was 10-5 in the regular season with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. With the momentum on their side, home field advantage, and Sonny on the hill, the Twins are the team to consider.
TODAY’S PICK: MINNESOTA TWINS