MLB Postseason Divisional Round

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

The 2023 Major League Baseball playoffs are in full swing with eight teams remaining in the bracket. The next round of postseason action is set to kick off on Saturday afternoon after a two-day break, featuring four exciting games to start the ALDS and NLDS. These matchups were finalized on Wednesday following four clean sweeps in the Wild Card Series. In the National League we have the Braves facing off against the Phillies and the Dodgers taking on the Diamondbacks. In the American League the Orioles will square off against the Rangers and the Astros will face the Twins.

The Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, and Astros will be making their postseason debut in 2023 after earning first-round byes. The MLB-leading Braves are set for an NLDS rematch against the Phillies while the Orioles will host the Rangers in the first playoff game at Camden Yards since 2014.

Wednesday witnessed a all sweeps as the Marlins, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Rays were all eliminated with Game 2 losses in the best-of-three Wild Card Series. The Rangers were underdogs to win their series against the Tampa Bay Rays and now find themselves in a near-even matchup against the top-seeded Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately for Baltimore, they will be without their All-Star closer, Felix Bautista, who is slated for Tommy John surgery.

In the National League, the playoff odds are tighter, with both NLDS matchups featuring division rivals. One of these matchups includes the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the D'backs' impressive series win against Milwaukee, oddsmakers anticipate more betting activity on the LA Dodgers, who are listed as the 2/1 favorites.

As the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) gets underway, the Houston Astros are eyeing their seventh consecutive appearance in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The Astros have a strong recent track record, having reached the World Series in four of the last six seasons, clinching titles in 2022 and 2017.

The Atlanta Braves secured the 2021 World Series, while the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious in 2020. Among the remaining playoff teams, the Texas Rangers were the last to make it to the World Series but fell short in both 2010 and 2011. The Philadelphia Phillies claimed the 2008 World Series championship, and the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated a victory in 2001. The Minnesota Twins have two World Series titles under their belt, from 1991 and 1987, with the latter including an epic 1-0 Game 7 win against the Braves. Lastly, the Baltimore Orioles' most recent World Series appearance and victory came in 1983 when they triumphed over the Phillies.

The Texas Rangers have never secured a World Series championship, adding an intriguing storyline to the unfolding drama of the MLB Playoffs. These playoffs promise to deliver premier pitching, thrilling hits, impressive home runs, and unforgettable moments for fans, players, and bettors alike.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1993 Michael Jordan announces his retirement from the NBA for the first time,

2010 Phillies ace Roy Halladay pitches only the second postseason no-hitter in MLB history.

Hall of Fame Chicago Linebacker Dick Butkus passes away at the age of 80.

The Chicago Bears ended franchise longest losing streak in history with a 40-20 win over the Washington Commanders.

New York Mets GM Billy Eppler resigned Thursday amid a Major League investigation into his use of phantom injured list.

The Minnesota Twins advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2002, will face off against the Houston Astros.

UNC Wide receiver Tez Walker will be eligible to play in 2023 after new information emerged.

Utah QB Cam Rising still hoping to play this season, Rising clarified on Thursday why his injury is taking longer than expected.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ Rangers at Orioles

• Texas is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Baltimore

• Texas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games at home

⚾️ Phillies at Braves

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games on the road

• Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

• The total has gone OVER in 19 of Atlanta's last 25 games

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games at home

⚾️ Diamondbacks at Dodgers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games at home

🏈 Jaguars at Bills

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Jacksonville's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo

🏈 Texans at Falcons

• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 10 games

🏈 Titans at Colts

• Tennessee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Indianapolis

• Tennessee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indianapolis

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis's last 6 games

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indianapolis's last 5 games at home

🏈 Giants at Dolphins

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Giants's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami

🏈 Ravens at Steelers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh

🏈 Bengals at Cardinals

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 6 games

• Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

• Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati

🏈 Eagles at Rams

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Rams's last 6 games at home

🏈 Chiefs at Vikings

• The total has gone OVER in 12 of Minnesota's last 16 games at home

🏈 Cowboys at 49ers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games on the road

🏈 Packers at Raiders

• Green Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Las Vegas

• Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Las Vegas

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

⚾️ MLB

59% of bets and 84% of money is on BAL -1.5 (+145)

33% of bets and 71% of money is on UNDER 8.5 PHI at ATL

58% of bets and 85% of money is on OVER 8 ARI at LAD

19% of bets and 42% of money is on ARI +1.5 (-125)

🏈 NCAAF

30% of bets and 51% of money is on #21 MIZZ +160

10% of bets and 58% of money is on VT +24

25% of bets and 51% of money is on UNDER 46 #11 BAMA at TA&M

48% of bets and 73% of money is on #20 UK +14.5

28% of bets and 50% of money is on #20 UK +425

30% of bets and 78% of money is on UNDER 47.5 #20 UK at #1 UGA

48% of bets and 69% of money is on UNDER 54 #10 ND at #25 LOU

15% of bets and 38% of money is on UNDER 46 #2 MICH at MINN

15% of bets and 76% of money is on UNDER 44.5 #24 FRES at WYO

🏈 NFL

28% of bets and 66% of money is on UNDER 47.5 NYG at MIA

29% of bets and 50% of money is on PIT +4.5

51% of bets and 86% of money is on UNDER 38 BAL at PIT

51% of bets and 70% of money is on TEN -2.5

24% of bets and 43% of money is on ATL -1.5

41% of bets and 74% of money is on OVER 43.5 NYJ at DEN

23% of bets and 58% of money is on MIN +3.5

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

ATL (SP) Max Fried | 15 Day IL - Finger, on track to start game 2 of NLDS

MIN (CF) Byron Buxton | 10 Day IL - Knee, is in Houston with the team but not likely to play

BUF (LB) Von Miller | Questionable - Knee

BUF (DE) Greg Rousseau | Out - Knee

BUF (CB) Tre’Davious White | Out - Achilles, will miss rest of season

CIN (WR) Tee Higgins | Questionable - Ribs, did not practice yesterday

DET (WR) Amon-Ra St. Brown | Questionable - Abdomen, will not practice today

IND (RB) Jonathon Taylor | PUP - Ankle, said yesterday he is 100%

LV (QB) Jimmy Garapolo | Questionable - Concussion, was limited at practice yesterday

LV (WR) Davante Adams | Questionable - Shoulder, did not practice yesterday

NO (QB) Derrick Carr | Questionable - Shoulder, was limited at practice yesterday

NYG (RB) Saquon Barkley | Questionable - Ankle, could be game time decision on Sunday

PIT (TE) Pat Freiermuth | Doubtful - Hamstring

SEA (QB) Geno Smith | Questionable - Knee, twisted it in last week’s game

Weekend Picks 🔒

Arkansas/Ole Miss Over 62.5 | The past 2 games in this series have gone well over this number. This is the lowest total since 2019 when the total was 50.5. Since then, the total has not been under 68 and it should not be this low now. Both teams can score. Arkansas averages 33.6 points per game while Ole Miss is at 44.6 points. This will be another game to take the over in the series as the points pile up. If there is a play to make, this is the one.

Missouri +4 | LSU is giving up 260.2 passing yards per game and its defense has been extremely disappointing this season. Missouri is also 3-2 ATS this season compared to LSU being 2-3 ATS. Once again, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Missouri wins outright against LSU at home.

Dolphins -12.5 | Fading the Giants play. They’re a horrific team.

Titans -2.5 | Titans RB Derrick Henry was re-discovered and consumed 120 yards rushing and scored a TD vs the declawed Cats. He could well enjoy similar numbers this week. This Mike Vrabel defense should be able to keep the rookie Richardson in check.