This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous: 2-2, -1.22 RWBucks
Season: 97-103-8, -17.37 RWBucks
The MLB postseason is building up to some high drama, and I look at four wagers I think are viable in today's pivotal games.
Astros at Red Sox ALCS Game 5
Starting Pitchers: Framber Valdez vs. Chris Sale
The Pick: Red Sox Over 2.5 runs- first 5 innings (+100 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RWBuck
Secondary Pick: Red Sox moneyline (-120 on Caesars Sportsbook) for 1 RWBuck
Valdez struggled against the Red Sox back in Game 1 of the series and has pitched to a 7.71 ERA across seven postseason innings. Boston was a very dangerous team against southpaws at Fenway during the second half of the season as well, posting a .298 average and .349 wOBA in that split. Meanwhile, Boston is also 5-0 in the postseason after a loss during Alex Cora's leadership with a +32 run differential, fueling my secondary pick.
Braves at Dodgers NLCS Game 4
Starting Pitchers: Huascar Ynoa vs. Julio Urias
The Pick: Urias Over 15.5 Outs Recorded (+120 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RWBuck
Secondary Pick: Dodgers (-1) – first 5 innings (-105 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RWBuck
Urias allowed a pair of earned runs against the Braves out of the bullpen in Game 2, but he'd otherwise been very effective in his first pair of postseason outings as a traditional starter. With just a 14-pitch workload in that appearance Sunday, Urias should be prepared to handle a normal workload Wednesday against a team he posted a 2-0 record and 2.45 ERA across two starts this season. Urias has also held current Atlanta bats to a collective .165 average and .435 OPS in regular-season action during his career, and he went at least 5.1 innings in 10 home starts this season. I also have faith in the Dodgers being able to score some early runs on Ynoa, who pitched to a 1-3 record, 5.49 ERA, .270 BAA and .348 wOBA across 41 road innings this season.