Sadly this is my last article of the season, so I will do my best to make it a good one. And just as sports betting goes, I am probably going to finish the season at right about even. Can’t really ask for much more than that. So without further ado, here are your final three LOCKS of the year:
Yankees @ Blue Jays Pitcher to Record a Win
Holy smokes, this AL Wild Card race is insane right now and all eyes will be on this Yankees/Blue Jays matchup tonight. Corey Kluber takes the mound for New York after consecutive outings against his former teams in Cleveland and Texas. In his two road starts since coming off the IL, Kluber has been battered around for at least 4 ERs in just 4 innings against the Angels and Mets. Now he faces a tough Blue Jays lineup that features an MVP candidate in Vlad Guerrero, Jr. and Marcus Semien, who is having one of, if not the best offensive season by a 2B of all-time. For Toronto, Robbie Ray continues his Cy Young-caliber season and has won 3 of his 4 decisions in September. I am of the opinion that this will be yet another win for Ray as the Blue Jays further close the shrinking gap between themselves and the Wild Card-leading Yankees.
Pick: Robbie Ray to Record a Win (+140 DK)
Rays @ Astros Run Line
Congrats to the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays for clinching the #1 seed for the playoffs in the American League over the Astros and White Sox. While Tampa was celebrating last night, Houston was figuring out how they are going to hold onto the #2 seed, with just a 1.5 game lead over the White Sox. The clinch-hangover is very real and I expect the Rays to be a little sluggish tonight. Lance McCullers, Jr. has pitched admirably for Houston of late, with four consecutive quality starts. The real question will be can the Astros bats wake up after what was a brutal past week. My guess is they will do enough to score an easy victory over a team that already has its eyes on October.
Pick: Astros -1.5 (+120 DK, +112 FD)
Phillies @ Braves Total Runs O/U 8.5
The Atlanta Braves are one win away from clinching the NL East and will send young stud Ian Anderson to the mound against veteran Kyle Gibson and the Philadelphia Phillies. Neither of these offenses has been particularly impressive of late and the Phillies have been especially poor, scoring just six total runs in their last four games. I expect an inspired effort from Gibson, who has the big-game experience and will try his best to keep Philadelphia’s playoff hopes alive. I don’t think this game reaches nine runs so I am comfortable with the under at 8.5, especially with that +100 line from DraftKings.
Pick: UNDER 8.5 (+100 DK, -104 FD)
Kyle Stanzel Overall Record: 49-59-3
Net Money (Assuming all wagers are $100): $106.58
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)