The Divisional series in both NL and AL will start with four games today, so don't miss out on the MLB Picks for Saturday 10/5/2024.
Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction MLB Picks 10/5/24
Tigers at Guardians at 1:08 PM ET
Tyler Holton takes the mound for the Detroit Tigers, boasting a record of 7-2, an impressive 2.19 ERA, and 77 strikeouts this season. In his postseason career, he remains undefeated at 0-0 with a flawless 0.00 ERA and has recorded 1 strikeout. Against the Cleveland Guardians, Holton has a career record of 2-0, accompanied by a remarkable 0.93 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
The Cleveland Guardians will have Tanner Bibee as their starting pitcher, who currently holds a season record of 12-8, a 3.47 ERA, and 187 strikeouts. He will be making his postseason debut today. Historically, Bibee has faced the Detroit Tigers with a record of 1-3, a 5.28 ERA, and 27 strikeouts.
The Pick:
With Tanner Bibee on the mound, the Cleveland Guardians are expected to be the favorites at home, especially following his outstanding September. However, the Detroit Tigers have consistently found ways to achieve success, and I plan to take advantage of the advantageous odds until their fortune changes. It is unclear how Bibee will cope with the pressures of the postseason for the first time, while A. J. Hinch is effectively managing his pitching staff. I will choose the favorable odds with the Tigers.
New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction MLB Picks 10/5/24
Mets at Phillies at 4:08 PM ET
Kodai Senga is set to pitch for the New York Mets, currently holding a record of 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 9 strikeouts this season. This game will mark Senga's debut in the postseason. In his career against the Philadelphia Phillies, he has a record of 1-1, boasting a 1.46 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
Zack Wheeler is scheduled to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies, holding a season record of 16 wins and 7 losses, along with a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts. In his postseason appearances, he has recorded 4 wins and 3 losses, with an ERA of 2.42 and 68 strikeouts. Against the New York Mets, Wheeler's career statistics reflect a record of 5 wins and 5 losses, a 3.56 ERA, and 93 strikeouts.
The Pick:
I must admit that I have some reservations regarding Senga's performance in this game; however, the Mets are a team that consistently discovers ways to secure victories. Given the current odds, I find it difficult to overlook this opportunity. While Philadelphia boasts a formidable lineup with several strong hitters, the price seems somewhat excessive, especially considering the potential for rust in their batting order during the initial at-bats. New York appears to have the momentum, making them a team worth considering. I am backing the Mets.
Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees Prediction MLB Picks 10/5/24
Royals at Yankees at 6:38 PM ET
Michael Wacha is set to take the mound for the Royals, boasting a record of 13-8 and an ERA of 3.35. In his latest outing against the Washington Nationals, he completed five innings, surrendering five hits and four runs. The Royals are in need of a stronger performance from him, as they seek to prevent a slow start here.
Taking the start for the Yankees will be Gerrit Cole, who has an 8-5 record and an ERA of 3.41. His previous game was against the Baltimore Orioles, where he excelled by pitching 6.2 innings, yielding only two hits and no runs.
The Pick:
I am reluctant to place my confidence in Cole, yet given Wacha's recent performance, I find it difficult to trust him. In his most recent outing, Cole exhibited exceptional skill against the Orioles, allowing no runs. I anticipate he will deliver another strong performance in this matchup. The Royals managed to score only three runs over their last two games, indicating a significant decline in their offensive capabilities. I believe the Yankees will capitalize on Wacha's struggles and secure a victory on the run line.
San Diego Padres vs LA Dodgers Prediction MLB Picks 10/5/24
Padres at Dodgers at 8:38 PM ET
For the opening game on Saturday, the Padres will assign Dylan Cease to the starting position. During the regular season, Cease recorded a 14-11 win-loss record with a 3.47 ERA across 33 starts. In his postseason career, he has participated in only two games, one of which was a start, and has accumulated a 10.13 ERA over 2.2 innings pitched.
For Game 1 on Saturday, LA will assign Yoshinobu Yamamoto as their starting pitcher. This season, Yamamoto has recorded 7 victories against 2 defeats, with a 3.00 ERA over his first 18 starts in the league.
The Pick:
Both pitchers are seeking a strong outing. Cease's last performance against the Dodgers on September 25 resulted in three earned runs from five hits and three walks. Nevertheless, he had previously achieved a commendable 2-0 record with no earned runs over 14.1 innings in his two prior starts. Conversely, Yamamoto comes off a win on September 28, where he allowed two earned runs in 5.0 innings at Coors Field. In his previous start against the Rockies at home, he faced difficulties, yielding four earned runs in just 3.0 innings. The San Diego team managed to produce a significant scoring inning in their Wednesday victory but could not convert additional chances, leading to a close win. Still, the combined total of 15 hits and nine runs over two games is impressive by most measures. If the Padres can sustain their offensive performance on Saturday, they should have a favorable opportunity for another victory.
AUTHOR: Oliver Zivic
