MLB Pick: Rays (-145) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The MLB playoffs open Tuesday with four games spread over the afternoon and evening, and we have free picks for each contest as October baseball officially gets underway.
Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Tuesday, October 03, 2023 – 03:08 PM EDT at Tropicana Field
It was a disappointing close to an otherwise successful season for the Texas Rangers, and their frustration will show in the 2023 playoff opener when Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20) takes the mound against Tyler Glasnow (10-7, 3.53) and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rangers Lost 7 of Montgomery’s 11 Starts
Montgomery pitched well for Texas after he was acquired from St. Louis, posting a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts and going at least 6 innings in 8 of the contests. But the Rangers couldn’t score for the southpaw, and bettors who played the MLB odds in those 11 games were off 7+ units.
Glasnow beat the Rangers in June, holding them to one hit over six innings while striking out 6. The 6-foot-8 righthander held hitters to a .163 average in 10 home starts during the regular season.
Umpire Notes & The Pick
Carlos Torres (17-12-1) has the plate, with crew chief Lance Barksdale at 2B. The Rangers took the season series 4-2 with both losses coming at The Trop, and a third loss this year in St. Pete is in store for them Tuesday.
MLB Pick: Rays (-145) at BetOnline
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins
Tuesday, October 03, 2023 – 04:38 PM EDT at Target Field
There is rain in the Minneapolis forecast Tuesday evening, and that precipitation will be accompanied by more tears for Twins fans when their playoff losing streak moves to 19 in the series opener against the Blue Jays.
Jays & Twins Split Season Series
Minnesota is a very small favorite at the top sportsbooks, and most outlets are carrying a 7½-run total with extra juice on the ‘under.’
Kevin Gausman (12-9, 3.16) closed 2023 with 13 scoreless innings against the Yankees, and the Blue Jays still couldn’t muster enough offense to win both contests. He allowed 7 runs across 10 innings to the Twins in a pair of starts back in May and June, and Toronto won both.
Pablo Lopez (11-8, 3.66) closed the campaign allowing 11 runs across his final 3 starts (15.1 IP), but the Twins managed to win two. The Venezuelan also didn’t pitch well against the Blue Jays at Target Field in late May (5.2 IP, 4 ER), but Minnesota bats bailed him out with the 9-7 dubya.
Umpire Notes & The Pick
Dan Iassogna is the crew chief and will set up at 3B while Andy Fletcher (15-14-1 O/U/P) calls balls and strikes. Each side won 2 of 3 on the road to split the season series, and Toronto scores another one for the road team tonight.
MLB Pick: Blue Jays (+101) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Tuesday, October 03, 2023 – 07:08 PM EDT at American Family Field
BetOnline is one of the sportsbooks that sees the Brewers as the biggest Tuesday favorite, and they have Corbin Burnes (10-8, 3.39) on the hill against Brandon Pfaadt (3-9, 5.72) and Arizona.
Snakes Take Both Series This Season
A top-50 prospect back in March, Pfaadt made his MLB debut in May and will be thrust into the spotlight to start Arizona’s first postseason game in 6 years. This will be his first look at Milwaukee’s lineup.
Burnes split 2 starts against Arizona this season, tossing 8 shutout innings in Phoenix in the second week of the season before getting knocked around at home in June. The former 4th-round pick out of St. Mary’s finished the season on a 9-IP scoreless streak and owns a 1.20 ERA in the postseason (1 start, 6 relief).
Umpire Notes & The Pick
Crew chief Alan Porter is at 2B for this series opener, and lines up to work the plate if it goes to a third game. Mark Ripperger (14-13-2 O/U/P) is behind the dish for Game 1. An underdog play on Arizona is tempting, but the smarter play is the final going past the total.
MLB Pick: Over 8 (-105) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Tuesday, October 03, 2023 – 08:08 PM EDT at Citizens Bank Park
Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61) and the Phillies were close to winning it all last October, and they’re rightfully favored to get this postseason off to a winning start against Jesus Luzardo (10-9, 3.63) and the Marlins.
Phils 6-1 Last 7 at Home
Luzardo closed the campaign with one tough matchup after another as the final 9 starts came against the Rangers, Yankees, Astros, Padres, Rays, Braves, Dodgers and Brewers (twice). The young lefty won both of his starts against the Phillies, combining to pitch 12.1 innings while allowing 5 runs and striking out 14.
Aside from one rough outing against the Braves 3 weeks ago, Wheeler was solid the final two months with a 3.07 ERA after the All-Star break. The 9-year veteran also pitched well against the Marlins with a 3.00 ERA (18 IP), though the Phillies dropped 2 of those 3 assignments.
Umpire Notes & The Pick
Stu Scheurwater (14-14-1 O/U/P) is under the mask with crew chief Alan Porter at 2B. The Phillies should be focused and ready to begin another playoff run, and a pick on the run line is the way to go.
MLB Pick: Phillies -1½ (+142) at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
Calculators
