This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Best Bets Today: MLB ALCS/NLCS Picks for
Monday, Oct. 23
Season: 125-147-2 -50.55 units
Prior Article: 2-4 -1.13 units
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Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies
In a rematch of Game 2 in the series, we get Aaron Nola against Merrill Kelly. Nola pitched lights out with 6.0 innings, seven strikeouts, three hits, and zero runs, while the Phillies got to Kelly for four earned runs in 5.2 innings.
The Phillies dropped 2 out of 3 to the Diamondbacks in Arizona but those games were 2-1 (bullpen game) and 6-5 with Arizona scoring 3 runs in the 8th inning. The Phillies wins have been 6-1, 10-0, and 5-3 (21-4). The Phillies' dominant home playoff record (12-2 SU last 14; 5.9-2.2 runs per game) is what will carry them again tonight as I like them to win in convincing fashion.
I was looking at Nola's recorded outs at 16.5 over, but the juice was too high (-155) so I went with the OVER 5.5 strikeouts at -134 which is doable even if he does not go at least 6 innings. The moneyline is too rich here at -185 but priced right, the run line is in play with this Phillies offense at home.
Both left-handed Phillies hitters are in play again at home against the right-handed Kelly with Bryce Harper averaging 3.0 Hits+Runs+RBI and Kyle Schwarber 4.0 in the series.
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NLCS Best Bets for Diamondbacks at Phillies
- Phillies -1.5 for 1 unit (DraftKings +115)
- Phillies OVER 4.5 runs for 0.75 unit (DraftKings -105)
- Aaron Nola OVER 5.5 strikeouts for 0.5 unit (FanDuel -134)
- Kyle Schwarber OVER 1.5 H+R+RBI for 0.5 unit (DraftKings +105)
- Bryce Harper OVER 1.5 H+R+RBI for 0.5 unit (DraftKings -105)
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
This series is down to Game 7 with both teams tied 3-3. The Astros have lived up to their reputation of being better on the road versus home with them winning all 3 in Texas. This is another rematch with Cristian Javier facing Max Scherzer. The Astros rocked Scherzer for five runs in 4.0 innings in Game 3 and I am very surprised to see Bruce Bochy come back to him in such a crucial spot. Javier pitched decent in Game 3 with 5.2 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 3 strikeouts, and 1 walk.
Max is going to have a quick hook if he gets into any trouble and I do think he will be in trouble once again.
I am going to lean on the Astros' history over the last seven years in the postseason to carry them back to the World Series and a potential rematch with the Phillies.
MLB Best Bets for Rangers at Astros
- Astros ML for 1 unit (BetMGM -125)
- Max Scherzer UNDER 4.5 strikeouts for 0.5 unit (DraftKings -135)
- Yordan Alvarez OVER 1.5 H+R+RBI for 0.5 unit (DraftKings +120)
- Jose Altuve OVER 1.5 H+R+RBI for 0.5 unit (DraftKings +125)