Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros face elimination tonight. The Dodgers are down 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves and the Astros are down 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Let’s see if we can make some cash with a couple of teams with their backs against the wall.
Pitchers
Pitching is always tough in the postseason, especially in elimination games. In these games, teams have an all-hands-on-deck approach and will have short leashes on their starters. The Dodgers are starting Dustin May ($7,200) who is likely to not give much length while they try to maneuver through the Braves lineup with their bullpen. The best bet to go with is Blake Snell ($8,700) who will have the longest leash of any of them. The Rays have lost two straight after being up 3-0 in the series and will look to avoid a Game 7. Snell started Sunday’s Game 1 and went five innings while allowing just one run on six hits and two walks while striking out two. He has struck out 15, surrendering five runs over 15.2 innings this postseason in three starts.
Framber Valdez ($8,300) could also give the Astros length against the Rays as he has gone five, seven, and six innings, respectively. In his three postseason starts, he has given up just four runs over those 18 innings on 11 hits and seven walks, sitting down 17 batters via strikeout. Valdez also started Game 1, so he comes in on normal rest.
Hitters
Randy Arozarena OF, Tampa Bay Rays ($4,700)
Again, it is impossible to go against this guy. He has been on fire this postseason and will likely be the ALCS MVP if the Rays close it out. “Macho Man Randy Savagarena” (I know… cheesy, right?) has hit .417 with six home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, and 13 runs scored in this postseason. He has hit a home run in the last three games of this series and has gotten at least one hit in all but two playoff games. There is no reason to think Arozarena will slow down now with the Rays looking to close out the series on their third try.
Marcell Ozuna OF, Atlanta Braves ($4,300)
The Braves outfielder has been having a heck of a postseason and went 4-for-5 with two home runs, and a double last night, tacking on four RBI and three runs scored. Facing a desperate Dodgers team that will try to pull out all the stops, look for Ozuna to lead the Braves’ offense to a closeout win.
Justin Turner 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,700)
Turner went 2-for-4 last night and has gotten a hit in the last five games. With the Braves throwing a bullpen game, he will be a good play to give the Dodgers’ offense a boost. A.J. Minter was announced as the starter but he will essentially be the opener. Look for Turner and the rest of the lineup to pounce on this.
Home run call: Justin Turner
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