The 2024 MLB Wild Card Round got off to a good start with three underdogs winning the first game on the road.
San Diego shut out the Braves 4-0 and was the only favorite to take care of business at home.
As teams return to action on Wednesday, we've put together our best bets for the three games on this card.
Tigers vs. Astros odds, predictions
There was no question that Tigers ace Tarik Skubal would get the ball in Game 1. The only question is what Detroit does for the rest of the series.
Instead of throwing a traditional starting pitcher, Tigers manager AJ Hinch has opted to hand the ball to reliever Tyler Holton, who is 7-2 on the year with eight saves and a 2.19 ERA.
This is a fascinating decision by Hinch, and one that's quirky enough that it might work out against the Astros.
Holton appeared in relief Tuesday and retired the only batter he faced. Against the Astros this season, he pitched 94 1/3 innings and struck out 77 batters, and has yet to give up a run in 4 1/3 innings.
The Tigers have the best bullpen in baseball, ranking fifth in earned run average (3.55). To counter Holton, the Astros will start Hunter Brown, who has an 11-9 record, 3.49 ERA, and 3.58 FIP.
Runs are always at a premium during the postseason, and given the quality of pitching both teams can send to the mound, limiting them to 7.5 runs in this game is extremely valuable.
Best bet: Tigers vs. Astros within 7.5 runs (-110, FanDuel)
Royals vs Orioles odds, predictions
The Baltimore Orioles needed to shore up their pitching staff at the trade deadline, so they acquired Zach Eflin from the Rays.
Eflin was 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA during his time in Tampa Bay, but has gone 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA since joining the Orioles.
The right-hander may be one of the late bloomers, as his best season (16-8, 3.50 ERA) came in his eighth year in the majors (2023).
As good as Eflin has been lately, the Royals should have a better pitcher on the mound in Seth Lugo.
Lugo is 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA and is in the Cy Young Award discussion. His 3.25 FIP represents only a slight regression, making him an underrated +140 underdog.
I know Lugo didn't pitch particularly well in his only outing with the Orioles (9 hits and 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings), but Eflin hasn't exactly pitched in his last two games against the Royals. It wasn't a lockdown starter.
Eflin allowed 14 hits and 11 runs (10 earned) in eight innings pitched.
If both pitchers struggle equally in Game 2, the wise option would be for the Royals to play the first five innings as a half-run underdog.
Best bet: Royals F5 (+0.5) run line (-120, FanDuel)
Braves vs. Padres odds, predictions
The Braves exhausted their pitching options with Monday's doubleheader against the Mets in hopes of making the playoffs.
They are already without National League Cy Young front-runner Chris Sale in this round, and are in a tight spot against the San Diego Padres.
Sale's absence in this series as the Padres have a line of .239/.310/.380 against left-handed pitchers vs. .272/.330/.434 against right-handed pitchers. is very large.
Therefore, Atlanta could potentially throw two quality left-handed starting pitchers in Sale and Max Fried against the Padres.
Fried will qualify for the second game. This year wasn't necessarily his best year at 11-10, but his 3.25 ERA and 3.33 FIP are more than respectable.
Learn everything you need to know about MLB betting
He will face San Diego's Joe Musgrove, but he was sidelined for some time with an elbow injury and started only 19 games.
Musgrove has a six-pitch arsenal that includes a fastball (24.6%), curveball (22.5%), cutter (20.4%), slider (20.3%), changeup (8.7%), and sinker. It can be a nightmare for hitters. 4.4%).
In the 2022 playoffs, he pitched well on the big stage against the Padres, allowing six runs in 18 2/3 innings (2.89 ERA).
This is another game where both teams could struggle to score, and they hope to play within seven total points before that number runs out.
Best bet: Brave vs. Padres within 7 points (-125, BetMGM)
Why trust New York Post Betting?
Michael Arinze handicaps most major sports for the New York Post. He has won two 15-leg teasers during his betting career, as well as 12-leg parlays, including eight games in the Little League World Series. Most recently, they accurately selected the finalists for the 2024 European Championship and Copa America.
