This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous: 2-0, 7.60 RWBucks
Season: 100-108-8, -13.90 RWBucks
After hitting for some solid returns with a couple of NLCS Game 6 wagers last time out, I'll look to cash in on what I believe will be an Astros resurgence in Game 2 following a Game 1 stumble.
Braves 
at Astros World Series, Game 2
Starting Pitchers: Max Fried vs. Jose Urquidy
The Pick: Astros -0.5 – first 5 innings (+122 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 2 RWBucks
Secondary Pick: Both teams to score 3 or more runs in the first seven innings (+160 on BETMGM) for 1 RW Buck
Fried opened the postseason with a pair of impressive performances against the Brewers and Dodgers before L.A. got to him in Game 5 of the NLCS, when he allowed a pair of homers on his way to getting chased after 4.2 innings. The left-hander was an effective performer on the road this regular season overall, but he did allow a 1.1 HR/9 when traveling and now faces a high-octane Astros offense that has slugged 13 homers in 11 playoff games and posted a .332 wOBA against lefties at home during the regular season, including .352 over the last month.
Urquidy was hit hard by the Red Sox in his one postseason appearance thus far (1.2 IP, 6 R), yet Braves bats have had some trouble cashing in opportunities during the playoffs. Even in the 6-2 Game 1 win Tuesday, Atlanta left nine men on base, and the Braves have scored five runs or less in eight of 11 postseason contests thus far.
The Astros averaged the seventh-most runs per first 5 innings per home game (3.2) during the season, while Atlanta checked in with 2.7 runs per first 5 innings per road contest. That's exactly a 0.5 differential, helping lead me to my first selection. Then, I see both teams having enough offense to get to at least three runs over the first seven frames, especially with the Astros feeling the urgency of avoiding a second straight home loss to open the World Series.
