Sure, the regular season has a few more days left, but I’m hoping to keep loyal readers rolling in the dough with a few future picks to end the 2023 postseason. Who wins the NL? How many contenders are there in the AL? I got you, and I’m calling my shot on a bro-filled World Series winner…
NLCS Winner: As much as I’d love to see the Phillies (and MLBbro Fly Tai Walker) make it back to the World Series, this year it’s been all about the Atlanta Braves (+150) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (+200). The NLCS should see these two teams matched up, and what a show the Braves offense should put on. Their two MVP candidates in Matt Olson (53 HRs, 134 RBIs) and Ronald Acuna Jr (41 HRs, 70 SBs) are providing outstanding run support to the deepest stable of starting pitchers in the league.
The Dodgers may not have as potent an offense, but they have a couple of MVPs of their own in Mookie Betts (39 HRs, 106 RBIs) and former Brave Freddie Freeman (.333 Batting Average, 101 RBIs). The biggest question mark will be their thin pitching roster. How much will they miss Julio Urias? Will their relievers and closer hold up under postseason pressure? I can’t answer those questions, but I bet their skipper Dave Roberts can.
With his experience guiding his team through multiple postseason runs and winning a title in the bubble, he should put them in position to make it to the World Series. AGAIN.
National League Leaders. Dodgers +200 to win the NL.
ALCS Winner: The AL is as wide open as the Pacific Ocean. The Rays have come back to earth after a scorching start, and the upstart Orioles are the best team in the AL by the numbers. But neither will be in the ALCS. Mark my words, Dusty Baker will not only make the wild card, but he will take the Houston Astros (+600) to the ALCS. There they will lockhorns with MLBbro Marcus Semien and their division rival Texas Rangers (+350). The battle of Texas will be wild, but I’m leaning on the Astros to pull it off. Just like the Dodgers and Dave Roberts, Paw Paw Dusty has made all the right moves since helping the Astros win their first (in some people’s eyes) legitimate World Series title in their history. Texas has a bright future, but their inexperience will ultimately be their demise.
Dusty will clean up. Astros +600 to win the ALCS.
2023 World Series Champion: Once you pick your jaw up from my AL pick, let’s savor the flavor of the ultimate revenge World Series between the LA Dodgers (+450) and Houston Astros (+1200). Sure, the Astros have all but cleaned house with the last remaining player from “Trash Can Gate” being Jose Altuve (.316 Batting Average, 17 HRs). Yeah, they now have one of the most beloved managers in Dusty Baker. But the Dodgers and their fans have been seeking vengeance every since they pulled out the 2017 championship in controversial fashion. The look on Clayton Kershaw’s (13 wins – 4 losses, 2.42 ERA) face after giving up back-to-back bombs will forever haunt the Dodger faithful. Now is their chance to deliver some of their own poetic justice.
The Astros, however, are still defending champions. That’s without trash cans and with the institution of the electronic sign delivery system. That’s with home grown talent such as “Air” Yordan Alvarez (31 HRs, 97 RBIs) and Framber “La Grasa” Valdez (3.45 ERA, 200 Ks). That’s without any love from the national media and with the immense pressure of proving they can win without any illegal edge. With all that, there’s also one of the best managers in MLB history in Dusty Baker. It will be a great matchup, but ultimately karma will come back to bight the ‘Stros.
Come uppins. Los Angeles Dodgers (+450) World Series Champions
We’re absolutely ROLLING in the wins, MLBbro.com fam! We close out our daily best bets going 3-1 on the week. Let’s keep the momentum strong on a Friday with these three winners.
1. After getting railed by the Red Sox, the Houston Astros (-178) look to get back on track against the struggling Detroit Tigers (+150). They should have a leg-up in the pitching matchup as Framber Valdez (9 wins – 9 losses, 3.55 ERA) hopes to end the month of August the same way he started it when he pitched a no-hitter on the first. With the Tigers’ ranked in the bottom five in every offensive statistical category, it could be a short day for the Astros in Motown.
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. holds the trophy after their win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of baseball’s American League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, in Houston. The Astros won 5-0, to win the ALCS series in game six. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tigers tamed. Astros RL -1.5 (+100)
2. These are dark days in New York. With both the Mets and the Yankees (+115) giving little for the greatest fans in baseball to cheer for, the Tampa Bay Rays (-135) look to pour it on the Bronx Bombers. Even with Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole (10 wins – 4 losses, 3.03 ERA) taking the mound, the Rays’ fourth ranked offense in baseball should run the Yankees out of the ballpark. Cole will put up a solid outing, but without the run support (Yankees are currently 29th in batting average, 29th in hits, and 24th in runs) we doubt it’s enough for a win.
Bros’ best bet! Rays ML(-135).
3. It’s always a good time when the Atlanta Braves (-160) are in town. The league leaders travel to do battle with the San Francisco Giants (+135), and the last time these two teams linked up they gave us some exciting moments in Atlanta. Even though Giants’ starter Logan Webb (9 wins – 9 losses, 3.57 ERA) and Braves’ starter Spencer Strider (14 wins – 4 losses, 3.57 ERA) are giving up less than four runs on average, both offenses have been potent as of late and should hit the over.
Barn burner! Giants/Braves OVER 7.5 total runs (-115)
The second half of the season is upon us, MLBbro.com Fam! Hopefully you enjoyed our amazing coverage of the Midsummer Classic as much as the big boss, Rob Parker.
Between the All Star Game, eating glizzies all over the map, and leaving unused undergarments in his hotel rooms, this man has been having a summer to remember.
ANYWHO…let’s get to the picks!
The battle for mediocrity is what both the San Diego Padres (-115) and Philadelphia Phillies (-105) were hoping to avoid this season. And yet, here we are. With both teams sending out pitchers who haven’t shown a glimmer of hope this season (combined record of 5 wins – 8 losses), this should be a barn burner.
Bombs away. Padres/Phillies OVER 9.5 total runs (-115)
In the “Barry Bonds Game,” the San Francisco Giants (-130) take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (+110). Even with the Giants climbing the ranks as the Pirates continue nosediving out of the playoffs, this could be a good spot for the underdog Pirates. Giants’ pitcher Ross Stripling (0 wins – 2 losses, 6.37 ERA) is still chasing his first win and it likely won’t come against the Pirates’ Rich Hill (7 wins – 9 losses, 4.78 ERA).
Bet on the Buckos. Pirates +1.5 RL (-155).
The senior special should be in effect for the final game of the day between the Los Angeles Dodgers (-125) and New York Mets (-105). The Mets’ will march out the 17-year veteran Justin Verlander (3 wins – 4 losses, 3.6 ERA) out to start the game. He iis hoping to finally get himself into gear and snap the slumping Mets out of their first half of the season daze.
For the Dodgers, Julio Urias (6 wins – 5 losses, 4.76 ERA) will make the start and should be fully locked in after making his return from injury just before the all star break. The Dodgers have been known to heat up in the second half of July, so we’re banking on them keeping to trend.
From MLBbro Aaron Judge giving the ultimate side-eye on his way to a win against the Blue Jays, to the big bosses of MLBbro.com appearing on The Breakfast Club, it’s been a fun week for Black and Brown baseball. Let’s cap this week off with three winning picks, a chubbier wallet, and most importantly a bookie so deep in his feelings that he makes Eeyore look ecstatic!
ANYWHO…let’s get to these picks.
1. In a battle of second place teams, the NL West runner up Arizona Diamondbacks (-190) travel to the suddenly free-falling Pittsburgh Pirates (+160) of the NL Central. Since their meteoric start of the season, the Pirates have yet to post back-to-back wins in the month of May. It seems like that meteor has come crashing down to earth.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have won five of their last 6 games. They will feature their ace, Zac Gallen, who has been remarkable to start the year with six wins, only one loss, a stingy 2.35 ERA, and a nasty 70 strikeouts.
Easy work. Take the Diamondbacks -1.5 RL (-110).
2. It’s been the story of second place for the city of Philadelphia. Not only did the Phillies (-135) fall short in the World Series, but the Eagles fell short in the “The Big Game,” The MLS Philadelphia Union lost in their league finale, and the 76ers couldn’t even crack the Eastern Conference Finals. The Phillies went into the offseason spending money like Rob Parker on an Air Jordan drop, but it has yet to translate to wins. At just 20-23, they are sitting at fourth in the NL East and are looking for a win to break their four-game losing streak.
They’ll be hosting the Chicago Cubs (+115), who are in an even worse slump after dropping their fifth game in a row. They’re hoping to get a stellar outing from MLBbro Marcus Stroman (2 wins – 4 losses, 3.24 ERA), who’s been hard on himself for giving up multiple-run innings in his last few starts.
This should be the Stro Show’s slumpbuster. Bro’s Best Bet, Cubs +1.5 RL (-180).
3. We’ll close up shop in Baseballtown, as the Los Angeles Dodgers (-135) travel to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals (+115). After their worst start in decades, the Red Birds are finally catching their stride winning eight of their last 10 games. “Cool story bro,” is likely how the Dodgers fans would respond, as their team has posted an identical record in their last 10 games. Both teams are finally playing up to their potential, but the key here will be the pitching battle. The Dodger’s Tony Gonsolin will be MONEY.
If you’re new to the column, I pick three MLB winners for you and even throw in a best bet for those who want to dip their toe in the action. If you love the picks, we welcome you back every weekday for my daily best bets on @MLBbrodotcom via Twitter. If you hate the picks, well then go let my boss @RobParkerFS1 know. He absolutely loves negative feedback (and Lebron James).
ANYWHO…let’s get to the picks!
1. “The Orioles and Pirates are good.” It’s been a few years since we could say this sentence with a straight face, and yet here we are. 2023 started off great for the Pittsburgh Pirates (+135), but they’re barely hanging onto the top spot in the NL Central after dropping eight of their last nine games. The Baltimore Orioles (-155), meanwhile, continue to battle in the toughest division in baseball as they try to catch the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays.
This matchup will feature neither of the teams’ best pitchers, as both Johan Oviedo (2 wins – 3 losses) for the Pirates and Kyle Bradish (1 win – 1 loss) for the Orioles have sky-high ERAs over 5.5. The fact that both teams are in the top half in the MLB in most offensive categories leaves me scratching my head why the bookies placed the over/under on runs at 8.
Take thePirates and Orioles OVER 8 total runs.
2. Rest in peace, Vida Blue. The passing of one of 15 Black Aces in MLB history hit hard for our MLBbro team and was especially difficult for Oakland A’s (+162) fans who are in the midst of an historically bad season.
The Texas Rangers (-195), conversely, are hoping to erase their recent history of mediocre play as they sit atop the AL West. Their lefty starter Martin Perez (4 wins – 1 loss, 3.86 ERA) is aging like a fine wine. He’s traded in his velocity for better ball placement on his way to 28 Ks already in the season. Oh, did I mention run support? It doesn’t hurt that the Ranger’s offense also ranks in the top 10 in every offensive category.
Easy call on today’sBro’s Best Bet, Rangers Moneyline (-195).
3. Our final matchup features one of my favorite new school rivalries, as the San Diego Padres (+118) head up I-5 to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (-140). Despite the star power, both offenses are middling as injuries and underwhelming production from their most notable stars has left much to be desired in SoCal. The pitching matchup, though, will be key. Blake Snell (1 win – 5 losses, 4.89 ERA) is a MUST FADE.
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