MLB picks, odds: Dodgers vs. Brewers and Mariners vs. Blue Jays finest bets, together with a Shohei Ohtani breakout

Because of the Blue Jays bludgeoning of the Mariners on Wednesday in Sport 3 of the ALCS, we now know there are at the very least two days left with a number of baseball video games in 2025. Sport 3 of the Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS begins at 6:08 p.m. ET on Thursday with Sport 4 of the M’s vs. Jays ALCS follows at 8:33 p.m. ET. There will likely be two video games once more Friday, now that we all know the ALCS has to go at the very least 5 video games

Right here on this bets column, my hunch for Sport 3 of the ALCS was that the Mariners would win a low-scoring recreation. That was unbelievably far off. Good factor I famous that I felt assured about neither of these issues and wished to keep away from them. Because the saying goes, typically one of the best bets are those you do not make. Those we did make? Driving with George Springer and Cal Raleigh and each paid off, so within the precise performs, it was a 2-0 day. 

Let’s maintain that momentum going, in contrast to the Mariners in Sport 3. Strains courtesy of DraftKings.

He is nearly to interrupt out. I can really feel it coming. I am certain you’ll be able to, too. Ohtani was 1 for 20 within the earlier 5 video games earlier than Sport 2 of the NLCS. He struck out to start out the sport. However then subsequent time up he hit one of many hardest balls of the sport, which simply occurred to be proper at Brewers proper fielder Jackson Chourio for a lineout. Later within the recreation, he got here by with a single by a drawn-in infield in opposition to a left-hander. 

He is coming house and whereas the expectation is that lefty José Quintana would be the bulk man for the Brewers, he will not pitch all recreation and Ohtani has already gotten some seems at Aaron Ashby. Plus, Ohtani is not even really unhealthy in opposition to lefties (.279/.344/.554 in the course of the common season) and Quintana allowed a better OPS to lefties than righties this season. Oh, and in 5 profession at-bats in opposition to Quintana, Ohtani has a house run. 

If in case you have a bonus house run play, you possibly can do worse. I do know his odds are all the time shorter than everybody else’s, however I am feeling a Shohei bomb on this one. 

George Springer over 1.5 H+R+RBI (-106)

I am using the recent hand right here. OK, so mainly each Blue Jays participant is “scorching” after Sport 3, however I am scorching with taking part in this Springer prop so I am working it again. The Blue Jays’ leadoff man has now scored eight runs in seven playoff video games this season with three house runs. He is one of the prolific house run gamers in playoff historical past at this level. He seems locked in on the plate and his early rely aggression bodes nicely in T-Cellular Park with the choice being making an attempt to fend off two-strike pitches in such a (usually) pitcher-friendly venue. 

Springer in his profession in opposition to Mariners’ starter Luis Castillo is 3 for 15, however he was 2 for six with a double this season. 

Max Scherzer over 1.5 earned runs allowed (-115)

Man, what is that this? 

I do know that Shane Bieber general threw the ball nicely in T-Cellular Park in opposition to the Mariners’ offense in Sport 3, however he allowed two runs within the first inning. He had been significantly better than Scherzer of late. Scherzer had a 9.00 ERA (25 runs on 37 hits in 25 innings) in his final six regular-season begins. He is 41 years outdated with an in depth damage historical past and hasn’t pitched since Sept. 24. 

The one clarification right here is the Blue Jays are utilizing Scherzer for simply an inning as an opener with lefty Eric Lauer coming in reduction. 

It appears, although, that the Blue Jays are betting on Scherzer being a “gamer” right here. He is confirmed that is the case repeatedly. I am not doubting his intestinal fortitude. He is a psychological badass. 

Father Time is undefeated in opposition to all of sports activities on a bodily stage, although, and he is come for Scherzer late this season.