Friday Baseball Playoff Predictions

predictions provided by MLB analyst Tommy Lynch

Dodgers vs Padres 

The Padres were able to steal one on the road in Game 2 and now have the advantage coming home. This game will feature Tony Gonsolin vs Blake Snell. The Dodgers are -125 favorite and the total is sitting at 7.5. Tony Gonsolin has had an unbelievable year going 16-1 with 2.14 ERA. In his 2 starts against the Padres this year he has gone 12.2IP 1ER with 14K’s.

Blake Snell on the other side has had an up and down year going 8-10 with a 3.38 ERA. Blake Snell can be a wild card it would not surprise me if he let up 5 runs in 2 innings or went 7 innings of 1 run ball. Throughout his career he has always pitched better at home. Supporting a 2.70 ERA at home while having a 4.20 career ERA on the road. In his 3 outings against the Dodgers this season he has gone 14IP 6ER with 23K’s.

Game 2 Prediction

Tony Gonsolin has not gone far in his starts this year and you would have to imagine he will be on a short leash tonight. Blake Snell is a wild card and you never know what you are going to get from him. Both of these offenses are starting to heat up and that is why I am leaning towards the over here.

It is hard to ignore what Gonsolin has done this year, but this is the playoffs and crazy things happen. I like what I am seeing from the core of the Padres lineup and of course the Dodgers can knock any pitcher out of the game early. I’m willing to take a shot with the over at a small plus price Over 7.5 +105. I think if you wait longer you may even see this come down to 7 flat.

Over 7.5 Runs +105

Braves vs Phillies

The Atlanta Braves were able to tie the series at 1-1 in Game 2. Now we head to Philly for Game 3 where the Phillies will send out Aaron Nola. Nola had a great season and looked good in his Wild Card start going almost 7 innings of no run ball vs the Cardinals. Nola has faced the Braves 5 times this season going 34.1 IP allowing 14 ER while striking out 41 batters.

The Braves have not announced a starter for this game but at the time that I am writing this it appears that they will go with the rookie Spencer Strider over Charlie Morton. Strider has been electric this year posting a 13.8 K/9. He has faced the Phillies 4 times this year going 20 IP allowing only 3 ER striking out 34 batters!

Game 3 Prediction
The Braves have a lot of trust in the rookie Strider if they do indeed hand him the ball in game 3 of the Divisional Series. He has dominated the Phillies so you can see why the Braves would want him out there. Nola’s performances have been up and down vs the Braves this year and lifetime some of these Braves hitters have good numbers against him.

 I think the Braves were a little Rusty Game 1 off a long break. They woke up at the end of Game 1 carried that momentum over in Game 2 and found a way to beat Wheeler. They are the better team and I think they keep it rolling here in Game 3. Strider is a special talent and I think he puts that on display for the world to see today. Give me the Braves ML +102.

Bonus Play: Austin Riley has dominated Nola lifetime. In 42 AB’s he is hitting .429! Now we are getting a plus price on over 2.5 Hits/Runs/RBI’s? I will take that Over 2.5 Hits/Runs/RBI’s +145