Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
It has already been a wild week on the Major League Baseball diamond. The playoffs for all intents and purposes began on Monday, when the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves played an unexpected double-header (they split, sending both teams to the official postseason). The Mets stayed hot and upset the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card round, sending them into a Division Series against the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies. Saturday’s jam-packed schedule also includes Game 1 between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.
Let’s take a look at today’s best bets, and you can also find out our MLB picks for each game – with our experts currently on an epic 13-4 run!
New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies best bet: Phillies -1.5 (+124)
There is no need to overthink this one. All you need to do is look at the pitching matchup, which is Zack Wheeler of Philadelphia going up against New York’s Kodai Senga. The Mets don’t have much choice. They have played 5 games in the last 5 days and their pitching is depleted. Senga wasn’t used because…well…he has missed basically the entire season. In fact, the right-hander has started just once in 2024 due to various injuries. The Phillies, on the other hand, are well rested following a first-round bye and have their ace going on a boatload of rest. Wheeler compiled a career-best 2.57 ERA across 32 starts this year and since the beginning of August owns a 1.89 ERA in 11 starts – all of which were quality outings. As if that isn’t enough, Wheeler has been incredible in the playoffs in recent seasons. It is true that the Mets have momentum from their thrilling victories this week, but I don’t think that offsets all of the Phillies’ sizable advantages.
Read our full New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies prediction for Game 1 of their Division Series
Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees: Under 8 (-120)
All signs point to the series opener between Kansas City and New York being a low-scoring affair. The Royals’ pitching staff was stellar in their wild-card series upset of the Baltimore Orioles. They surrendered just 1 earned run in 2 games. Taking the mound on Saturday is Michael Wacha, who went 13-8 in 2024 with a 3.35 ERA. The right-hander is sporting a 2.97 ERA in his career against the Bronx Bombers (11 starts). As for the well-rested Yankees, they have ace Garret Cole toeing the rubber on more-than-full rest. Cole went 8-5 this season with a 3.41 ERA and in his career against the Royals he is 4-1 with a 2.77 mark through 8 starts. It’s also worth noting that neither club has faced the opposing pitcher yet this year. That usually favors the 2 guys on the mound. Finally, Kansas City scored only 24 runs in 7 head-to-head contests during the 2024 campaign and I expect more of the same to continue.
Read our full Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees prediction for Game 1 of their Division Series
