On the whole, Major League Baseball deserves much of its criticism. The season is a marathon slog. It drones on through 162 games. The games usually take too long. Still, too, big market teams have a decided advantage with the baseball betting odds. But playoff baseball remains special. And this year is one of the most interesting postseasons in memory. The Padres and Phillies have stunned gamblers to make the NLCS. In comparison, the Astros are trying to win it all for their beloved elderly skipper.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres National League Championship Series Information
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, 19th October 2022, 4:35 PM ET. |
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| Location: | Petco Park, San Diego, California |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillies | +1½ (-210) | 6½ (-125) | +103 |  |
| Padres | -1½ (+175) | 6½ (+105) | -113 | |
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At the beginning of summer, the Phillies were written off for dead. Philadelphia was forced to fire highly regarded manager Joe Girardi. Coach Rob Thompson was promoted as the interim manager. In turn, the Phillies became the hottest Sports betting brand on the board. Last round, Philadelphia knocked off the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves. Bryce Harper has a hot bat in the playoffs. To show, Harper has six runs, three doubles, three home runs, and six runs batted in.
In like manner, the Padres eliminated the Dodgers in a stunning NLDS result. Josh Hader is one of the upstart heroes for San Diego. Hader was acquired from the Brewers at the trade deadline. So far, he has three saves in three postseason games. Most remarkable is that the Padres are in the NLDS without their best player. Fernando Tatis missed the entire season with a wrist injury. Yet the Padres prevailed, anyway.
Namely, Manny Machado is picking up the Padres at the plate. Machado has two doubles, two home runs, and five runs batted in with 16 total bases.
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees American League Championship Series Information
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, 19th October 2022, 7:37 PM ET. |
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| Location: | Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas. |
| TV Coverage: | TBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astros | +1½ (-150) | 7 (+105) | +159 | |
| Yankees | -1½ (+130) | 7 (+105) | -169 | |
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Astros manager Dusty Baker has a phenomenal baseball resume as a player and manager. But there is one big blank space remaining. Baker has never managed a World Series champion. When Houston had to fire its leadership staff because of the sign-stealing scandal, Baker was plucked out of retirement. Correlate that Baker saw all of the talent on the Astros. Hence, he felt taking over as manager was worth a shot.
Last round, Houston dispatched of the Seattle Mariners. And will have home field advantage in the ALCS. Cause by the Astros posting the best record in the American League. Yordan Alvarez is powering up in the playoffs. Alvarez has three runs, one double, two home runs, and seven runs batted in.
Following two Game 5 cancelations, the Yankees finally closed out the Guardians 3-2 on Tuesday. New York was one of the most complete teams in baseball this year. To illuminate, they ranked 2nd for run production, 1st for home runs, and 3rd for staff earned run average. But after a blistering pace, the Yankees ran out of gas over the season’s final two months. And home run king Aaron Judge slumped in the ALDS.
ALCS and NLCS SBG Free Picks
San Diego has a pitching advantage with the MLB odds against Philadelphia. At the same time, the Astros were the most consistent American League team in 2022.
ALCS and NLCS SBG Best Bets: Houston Astros and San Diego Padres.