On the whole, the ALDS and NLDS offer something for everyone. Big-name traditional brands and upstarts are all on the board. At the onset, the Astros and Dodgers are MLB odds favorites to win their respective league pennants. But that doesn’t ensure that is the way things will end. The Rays are a strong value on the board as defending American League champions. While the White Sox and Brewers are capable teams getting lost in the noise. San Francisco is coming off a monster regular season. And then the Braves should have confidence overcoming a slow start.
MLB Betting: AL & NL Divisional Series
American League Pennant SBG Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | +220 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +250 |
| Chicago White Sox | +300 |
| Boston Red Sox | +320 |
National League Pennant SBG Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers +200 | +200 |
| San Francisco Giants +250 | +250 |
| Milwaukee Brewers +325 | +325 |
| Atlanta Braves +500 | +500 |
MLB American League Division Series
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros
- Game 1: Thursday, at Houston (4:07 p.m. ET, FS1)
- Game 2: Friday, at Houston (2:07 p.m. ET, MLBN)
- Game 3: Sunday, at Chicago (8:07 p.m. ET, FS1)
- *Game 4: Monday, at Chicago (TBD, FS1)
- *Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Houston (TBD, FS1)
Houston won the American League West. Of course, the Astros are no strangers to offshore betting playoff action. By contrast, the White Sox are in their first full-season playoff since 2008. Houston is the top-run producing team in MLB. In comparison, Chicago ranked 5th in MLB for earned run average. Of great concern for the White Sox is Houston’s playoff experience.
*=if necessary
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
- Game 1: Thursday, at Tampa Bay (8:07 p.m., FS1)
- Game 2: Friday, at Tampa Bay (7:02 p.m. ET, FS1)
- Game 3: Sunday, at Boston (4:07 p.m. ET, MLBN)
- *Game 4: Monday, at Boston (TBD, FS1)
- *Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Tampa Bay (TBD, FS1)
Despite low revenue and payroll, Tampa Bay is in its third consecutive post-season appearance. The Rays embarrassed the mega payroll Red Sox and Yankees to win the American League East going away. Boston won their wild card against the Yankees in an impressive bounceback season. But their pitching remains a concern.
*=if necessary
MLB National League Division Series
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
- Game 1: Friday, at San Francisco (9:37 p.m. ET, TBS)
- Game 2: Saturday, at San Francisco (9:07 p.m. ET, TBS)
- Game 3: Monday, at Los Angeles (TBD, TBS)
- *Game 4: Tuesday, at Los Angeles (TBD, TBS)
- *Game 5: Thursday, Oct. 14, at San Francisco (TBD, TBS)
Los Angeles is defending World Series champion. Further, this is their 9th consecutive post-season appearance. Yet the upstart Giants beat out the Dodgers to win the National League West with 107 wins. This series will draw massive handle based on its historical rivalry. Can San Francisco handle the hot playoff spotlight?
*=if necessary
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves
- Game 1: Friday, at Milwaukee (4:37 p.m. ET, TBS)
- Game 2: Saturday, at Milwaukee (5:07 p.m. ET, TBS)
- Game 3: Monday, at Atlanta (TBD, TBS)
- *Game 4: Tuesday, at Atlanta (TBD, TBS)
- *Game 5: Thursday, Oct. 14, at Milwaukee (TBD, TBS)
Despite superstar Christian Yelich becoming a mere shell of himself, the Brewers won the National League Central with strong pitching. However, the Braves won’t be an easy out in their fourth consecutive post-season appearance. But Atlanta never quite overcomes the playoff pressure.
*=if necessary
MLB Division Series SBG Free Picks
On this occasion, the Rays and Astros bring proven value with the MLB odds. At the same time, the Dodgers’ post-season experience should prove valuable against the newbie Giants. Milwaukee’s pitching was more reliable long term than Atlanta’s.
MLB Divisional Series SBG Best Bets: Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers