MLB Playoffs Wild Card Picks: Game 1 Analysis and Betting Odds
The MLB playoffs are here, and the Wild Card round delivers four matchups packed with betting intrigue. With MLB Playoffs Odds tightening across the board and pitching rotations set, every game brings high-leverage decisions for bettors eyeing postseason value.
From underdog trends to ace-driven totals, MLB Betting markets on the Wild Card stage create opportunities for sharp action. In this breakdown, we’ll analyze all four Wild Card games, review the key stats and matchups, and line up MLB Lines that matter most heading into October.
Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians American League Wild Card Game 1 Overview
The MLB playoffs begin with a divisional clash as the Detroit Tigers face the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card at Progressive Field on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, and both teams enter the postseason with contrasting paths.
Detroit secured the third AL Wild Card with an 87-75 record, while Cleveland clinched the AL Central at 88-74. The Guardians enter after a dramatic 9-8 extra-inning win over the Texas Rangers, and the Tigers come off a narrow 4-3 road loss against the Boston Red Sox.
This matchup features two of the league’s more consistent young arms. Detroit sends left-hander Tarik Skubal to the mound, one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball this season, while Cleveland counters with promising right-hander Gavin Williams. With BUSR posting MLB Playoffs Odds at Detroit -189 and the total lined at 7.5, this opener places a premium on frontline pitching, situational hitting, and which bullpen can avoid late-inning breakdowns.
Tigers Looking to Win With Their Ace
The Tigers enter the MLB playoffs needing to rebound from a disappointing AL Central chase, but their Wild Card path still offers opportunity. The season finale against Boston showed both positives and concerns.
Detroit produced nine hits, drew four walks, and had a home run from Javier Baez, but went only 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven runners. Chris Paddack took the loss after allowing four runs in 4.1 innings, highlighting how much the team needs its rotation leader to carry the load in this spot.
That leader is Tarik Skubal. In 31 starts, Skubal posted a 13-6 record with a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 195.1 innings. He recorded 241 strikeouts against only 33 walks, showing elite command and swing-and-miss ability. Against Cleveland specifically, he made four starts, going 1-1 with a 0.64 ERA when adjusting for unearned runs. In those outings, he logged 28.0 innings, struck out 40, and gave up just 16 hits. That profile makes Skubal one of the most reliable aces entering the Wild Card round.
Tigers Lineup Issues
Detroit’s lineup remains inconsistent. Baez provides occasional power, Andy Ibanez offers speed with stolen bases, and the team does enough to generate traffic on the bases. Yet timely hitting remains a weakness, particularly against teams with high-leverage bullpens. In September, the Tigers ranked 24th in OPS at .672, underscoring why Skubal’s dominance is critical in Game 1.
The injury list adds further challenges. Second baseman Colt Keith is sidelined with a rib cage issue, while Matt Vierling’s oblique strain diminishes outfield depth. Pitchers Reese Olson, Jason Foley, and Alex Cobb are unavailable, leaving the bullpen thin. That increases the likelihood manager A.J. Hinch will lean heavily on Skubal for length before handing the ball to only a few trusted relievers.
Guardians Looking to Keep Momentum Rolling
The Cleveland Guardians closed the regular season with an emotional 9-8 victory over Texas in 10 innings, and they carry momentum into the MLB playoffs. Offensively, they went 11-for-36 in that game, drew four walks, and struck out nine times. Jhonkensy Noel and Brayan Rocchio both homered, while Angel Martinez, Jose Ramirez, and Johnathan Rodriguez combined for multiple stolen bases. Their aggressiveness on the basepaths generated pressure, and they went 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position despite leaving eight men stranded.
Cleveland hands the ball to Gavin Williams, one of the league’s emerging young arms. Over 31 starts, Williams went 12-5 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 167.2 innings. He limited opponents to a .211 batting average, showing an ability to manage hard contact and keep lineups off balance.
Against Detroit, Williams made three starts, going 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 17.0 innings, allowing only two runs on eight hits with 29 strikeouts. His ability to attack the strike zone against a Tigers team that struggles in clutch situations makes him a strong option in this spot.
The Ramirez Call
The Guardians’ offense has leaned heavily on Ramirez and supporting young bats. Ramirez adds power and speed, while Rocchio and Noel provide upside through extra-base production. Cleveland ranked 14th in September OPS at .720, a mark that points to middle-tier consistency but not elite firepower. That places pressure on Williams to neutralize Skubal and create a low-scoring environment where timely hits matter most.
Cleveland also faces injury concerns. First baseman David Fry is out with a nose injury, and outfield depth is reduced with Lane Thomas and Will Brennan sidelined. Pitchers John Means, Sam Hentges, and Ben Lively are also unavailable. The bullpen remains serviceable but thinner than during the middle of the season, which may force manager Stephen Vogt to stretch starters further than desired.
Betting Recommendation
Game 1 of this AL Wild Card series highlights why the MLB playoffs are often defined by frontline pitching. BUSR’s MLB Lines list Detroit as -189 favorites, and for good reason. Tarik Skubal enters in peak form, carrying a 1.47 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across his last seven starts. His history against Cleveland this season, striking out 40 in 28 innings, reinforces his ability to dominate this lineup. Cleveland may have the momentum after clinching the division, but Skubal’s efficiency and ability to work deep into games give Detroit a measurable edge.
The Spread
The spread recommendation leans Tigers -189 for 5 units. Despite Cleveland winning the season series 8-5, Detroit has the best arm on the field, and the Guardians’ offensive numbers after the All-Star break (.683 OPS, ranked 27th in MLB) reveal limitations when facing elite left-handed pitching. With the Tigers also covering late-season trends as a Wild Card road team, this side provides the best value in traditional MLB Betting markets.
The Totals
On totals, BUSR has the number at 7.5, and the under grades as the stronger play. Skubal and Williams both enter in strong form, and September OPS numbers back the low-scoring angle. Detroit ranked 24th with a .672 OPS in the month, while Cleveland ranked 14th at .720. Both teams also struggled with runners in scoring position in the final week.
Playoff intensity typically favors pitching, especially in Game 1 settings where aces are on the mound. The Under (6) matches both the statistical profile and the narrative for this matchup.
For those exploring props, Skubal’s strikeouts over 7.5 align with his 40 Ks in 28 innings against Cleveland. Gavin Williams’ outs recorded props may also have value, as Cleveland’s bullpen injuries could force him to work into the sixth inning. Garrett Wilson anytime home run props are not part of this series, but Javier Baez home run odds could be worth exploring, given his recent power surge.
The Detroit Tigers vs the Cleveland Guardians Wild Card opener offers one of the best pitching duels of the postseason. MLB Playoffs Odds at BUSR reflect Detroit’s edge with Skubal, and the Tigers’ path to victory is clear: rely on their ace to neutralize Cleveland’s lineup and manufacture enough timely hits. The Guardians counter with Williams, who has had success against Detroit but faces the challenge of carrying his team against one of the top pitchers in baseball.
Best Bets (BUSR): Detroit Tigers -189, Under 6
The MLB playoffs reward teams that can ride dominant starting pitching, and Skubal provides that advantage for Detroit. While Cleveland has home-field advantage and recent momentum, the numbers suggest that Detroit will strike first in this series.
San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs National League Wild Card Game 1
The MLB playoffs continue Tuesday afternoon at Wrigley Field, where the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs open their best-of-three Wild Card series. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET, and both teams enter the postseason with momentum, albeit in different forms. San Diego finished 90-72, placing three games behind the Dodgers in the NL West, while Chicago went 92-70 to secure the fourth-best record in the National League.
BUSR’s MLB Playoffs Odds list this opener near a pick ’em, with San Diego around +105 and Chicago -123 on the moneyline. The total is set at 7.0 runs, signaling a low-scoring projection based on the starting pitching matchup of Nick Pivetta versus Matthew Boyd and two reliable bullpens.
San Diego brings the league’s top-ranked relief staff into the MLB playoffs, while Chicago enters behind the stability of a veteran starter and home-field advantage. With MLB Betting lines this tight, small details such as bullpen usage, clutch hitting, and wind conditions at Wrigley become decisive factors.
Padres Enter on a 7-1 Run
San Diego secured its fourth postseason appearance in six years, highlighted by an NLCS run in 2022, and the current roster has rounded into form at the right time. The Padres closed the regular season on a 7-1 stretch, including a weekend sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks by scores of 7-4, 5-1, and 12-4. In that stretch, the Padres outscored opponents 47-21, averaging nearly six runs scored while allowing only 2.6 per game. That level of efficiency underscores their combination of timely hitting and elite bullpen work.
Offensively, the Padres averaged 4.33 runs per game during the season, ranking 18th in MLB. The lineup did not dominate in aggregate metrics, but their pitching made up for those gaps. San Diego’s bullpen ranked first in ERA (3.06), WHIP (1.15), and opposing batting average (.209). That group provides manager Mike Shildt with multiple matchup options in late innings, an edge especially valuable in the postseason, where close games are frequent.
The Pivettas’ Start
On the mound, Nick Pivetta starts Game 1 after one of the best years of his career. The 32-year-old went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA (10th in MLB) and a 0.99 WHIP (5th) across 190 strikeouts in 31 starts. His consistency gave San Diego a true frontline starter behind Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove, and his control metrics position him as one of the most efficient pitchers in the league. Pivetta enters with more than a week of rest, having last pitched on September 22 against Milwaukee, when he allowed three earned runs over 5.2 innings with five strikeouts.
The Padres went 6-4 in Pivetta’s last 10 starts, showing how much stability he has provided. His ability to keep runners off base with a sub-1.00 WHIP will be critical against a Cubs lineup that has shown stretches of power but remains inconsistent with contact. Given how strong San Diego’s bullpen has been, Pivetta does not need to pitch deep into the game to secure value; six efficient innings may be enough to hand the ball to a dominant relief group.
At the plate, stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado lead the middle of the order, and they benefit from the recent run production of depth bats like Luis Campusano. With pitching as the foundation, timely extra-base hits determine if San Diego can capitalize on its late-season surge.
Cubs Sweep the Cardinals To End the Year
The Chicago Cubs overcame early adversity in 2025, particularly the loss of ace Justin Steele to an elbow injury, and still managed to secure a 92-70 record. That total placed them five games behind the Brewers in the NL Central, but it was good enough for home-field advantage in this Wild Card round. Chicago closed the season by dominantly sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals (12-1, 7-3, 2-0), a stretch that restored momentum after going 0-5 earlier in September.
The Cubs finished the season with a 4-6 mark over their final 10, but the late sweep provided optimism. Offensively, Chicago has relied on a balance of contact and emerging power. Kyle Tucker returned from a calf injury late in the year, although his 1-for-11 performance since rejoining the lineup raises questions about his readiness. Overall, the Cubs’ offense finished 16th in weighted on-base average (.313) and 11th in isolated power (.167) during the second half, placing them in the middle tier of playoff lineups.
Matthew Boyd, The Cubs’ Consistency Pitch
Chicago’s Game 1 starter, Matthew Boyd, has been a steady presence throughout the season. The veteran left-hander went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA (15th in MLB) and a 1.09 WHIP across 179.2 innings. He entered on standard rest after pitching 5.1 innings against the Mets on September 24, allowing two earned runs while striking out three in a 10-3 win. The Cubs have won his last three starts, although his September ERA inflated to 5.31 across his final four outings, suggesting fatigue or minor regression.
Boyd has maintained a low home run rate (0.95 HR/9), which plays well at Wrigley Field with Tuesday’s wind forecast blowing in from center at 7–8 MPH. That weather suppresses long-ball potential, potentially neutralizing San Diego’s power hitters. However, Boyd will need sharper command against a Padres team that thrives on working counts and extending innings.
From a bullpen standpoint, the Cubs do not match San Diego’s league-best relief unit but have been effective enough to support their starters. Depth relievers like Adbert Alzolay provide late-inning stability, but the margin for error shrinks in October against elite lineups.
Betting Recommendation
BUSR’s MLB Lines price Game 1 as nearly even, with San Diego at +105 and Chicago -123. This balance reflects home-field advantage for the Cubs and recent momentum for the Padres. From a side perspective, San Diego holds the edge due to its pitching structure. Nick Pivetta has been one of MLB’s most effective starters in 2025, ranking in the top 10 in ERA and WHIP, while the Padres’ bullpen leads the league in every major category.
Moneyline Analysis
The Cubs’ profile is less specific. Boyd’s season-long numbers (3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) are solid, but his late-season 5.31 ERA in September shows some decline. Combined with Kyle Tucker’s limited impact since returning from injury, Chicago carries more question marks than San Diego. The pick is Padres moneyline (+105), aligning with their 7-1 stretch and pitching edge.
On totals, the Under 7.0 (-119) provides more substantial value than the side. These teams split their regular season series 3-3, with the total also splitting 3-3 at the 7.0 line. San Diego’s bullpen dominance, combined with Pivetta’s efficiency, makes high-scoring outcomes less likely. Boyd’s ability to suppress home runs, especially with wind blowing in, further supports an Under lean. Postseason baseball traditionally favors pitching, and this setup aligns with that historical trend.
Looking for a Prop Bet? Pivetta is the Pick
From a prop perspective, Pivetta’s strikeouts over 6.5 is live, given his 190 strikeouts on the year and ability to induce whiffs against teams with moderate contact rates. For Chicago, Boyd’s outs recorded prop could provide value as he may be asked to extend into the sixth inning to protect the bullpen. Offensively, Machado or Tatis to record two or more total bases are viable props, but the wind reduces home run probability.
Game 1 of the Padres vs Cubs NL Wild Card series is one of the most evenly priced matchups on the MLB playoff board, yet pitching depth tips the scales toward San Diego. BUSR’s MLB Odds confirm the tight moneyline, but the Padres’ ability to combine a top-tier starter in Pivetta with the league’s best bullpen provides a more potent long-term edge. Chicago counters with Boyd and the benefit of Wrigley Field, but questions about recent form and lineup consistency linger.
Best Bets (BUSR): San Diego Padres Moneyline +105, Under 7.0
The MLB Betting angle here focuses on run prevention. San Diego has allowed an average of only 2.6 runs over its last eight games, and their bullpen profiles as postseason-proof. With both starters capable of six solid innings and wind conditions suppressing power, expect Game 1 to stay tight and low scoring. The Padres hold the edge to steal one on the road, while the Under stands as the most actionable play on the totals board.
Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees Wild Card Game 1 Overview
The MLB playoffs open with one of baseball’s most storied rivalries as the Boston Red Sox travel to Yankee Stadium to face the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card round. First pitch is set for Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ET, with Garrett Crochet starting for Boston and Max Fried taking the mound for New York. BUSR’s MLB Odds list the Yankees at -139 and the Red Sox at +118 on the moneyline, with the total set at 7 runs.
Boston enters as the second Wild Card team after finishing 89-73, while New York claimed the top Wild Card spot at 94-68, narrowly missing an AL East crown. The Red Sox won the season series 9-4, but the Yankees closed the regular season red-hot and took two of three from Boston at Fenway Park in September. With MLB Betting lines favoring New York at home and both aces in form, Game 1 has the makings of a tight, low-scoring playoff clash.
Red Sox Looking to Take Game 1
Boston’s offense carried them through much of the regular season, ranking ninth in MLB with a .745 OPS while averaging 4.85 runs per game. Aggression on the bases was a key theme, as the Red Sox stole 139 bases (6th in MLB) but were caught 38 times. Jarren Duran led the way in versatility, producing a .774 OPS with 16 home runs, 84 RBI, 86 runs scored, and 24 steals. The lineup has leaned on timely hitting and speed, although production with runners in scoring position has lagged, tying for 16th in OPS (.748) in those situations.
On the mound, Garrett Crochet is set to start after a dominant rookie campaign. The young left-hander went 3-0 in four starts against New York this season, posting 39 strikeouts in 27.1 innings while allowing 10 runs on 20 hits and four walks. His season concluded with an eight-inning shutout against Toronto, surrendering only three hits and striking out six without a walk. Across the year, Crochet ranked in the 93rd percentile in strikeout rate, 90th in chase rate, 90th in expected ERA, and 87th in walk rate, according to Baseball Savant.
“The Crotchet’s Mix”
Crochet’s five-pitch mix (fastball, cutter, sweeper, sinker, changeup) gives him the flexibility to attack right-handers and left-handers alike. His sweeper has been particularly dominant, holding hitters to a .126 batting average and .207 slugging percentage with 89 strikeouts against three home runs. He enters Game 1 on excellent form, with a 5-0 record, 3.13 ERA, and 0.87 WHIP across his last seven starts.
Boston will be shorthanded, with injuries to several key players, including Triston Casas (knee), Vaughn Grissom (foot), and multiple pitchers such as Tanner Houck, Jordan Hicks, and Lucas Giolito. The lack of rotation depth puts more pressure on Crochet to deliver, especially in a short series where Game 1 sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Yankees Looking to Stay Hot
New York finished 94-68, tied for the best record in the American League but a game shy of the division crown. The Yankees have been the league’s best offense, leading MLB with a .787 OPS and 5.24 runs per game. Their power numbers also stand out: 274 home runs topped the majors. Aaron Judge put together an MVP-caliber campaign with a .331/.457/.688 slash line, 53 home runs, 114 RBI, 137 runs scored, and 12 steals. Judge’s production has defined the lineup, but the supporting cast has also contributed, particularly in situational hitting, where New York ranks 5th in OPS (.785) with runners in scoring position.
Avoid Hits, the Fried Strategy
Max Fried anchors the pitching staff and gets the ball for Game 1. The left-hander closed the season in excellent form, going 6-0 with a 1.55 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across his last seven starts. Against Boston, he went 1-1 in three starts, allowing four runs over 18.1 innings with 22 strikeouts. On the season, Fried compiled a 3.12 ERA and leaned heavily on his seven-pitch arsenal. His curveball was his best offering, limiting opponents to a .190 average and .293 slugging percentage with 49 strikeouts and only three home runs allowed.
Fried’s Baseball Savant profile highlights his efficiency and control. He ranked in the 92nd percentile in average exit velocity, 76th in expected ERA, 76th in walk rate, and 76th in hard-hit percentage. Those marks suggest his ability to limit damage against a Boston lineup that thrives on extra-base hits and baserunning pressure.
The Yankees enter this game with injury concerns of their own. Gerrit Cole remains sidelined with an elbow issue, while Jonathan Loaisiga (back) and Clarke Schmidt (forearm) weaken the bullpen depth. Offensively, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is questionable with a forearm injury, and Oswaldo Cabrera is out with an ankle problem. Still, New York’s top-end talent and hot finish provide them with momentum heading into the postseason.
Betting Recommendation
BUSR’s MLB Lines list New York as -139 favorites at home with the Red Sox at +118 and the total set at 7. With both starting pitchers in strong form, the Under is the preferred angle in this matchup.
Crochet has baffled Yankees hitters in four prior meetings, striking out 39 across 27.1 innings, while Fried has dominated down the stretch with a 1.55 ERA in his last seven starts. Both bullpens have also been effective in September, with Boston posting a 3.81 ERA and New York at 3.85. The Under has cashed in six of the last ten head-to-head meetings, aligning with the strength of the starters and recent bullpen performance.
On the side, New York carries the edge despite Boston’s season series advantage. The Yankees finished the season on a surge, winning two of three against Boston in September and maintaining one of the league’s most explosive lineups. With Fried in peak form and Judge anchoring an offense that led MLB in OPS and home runs, the Yankees are the more complete team entering October. The pick is New York Yankees -149 (5 units) to take Game 1 at home and move ahead in the best-of-three series.
Best Bets (BUSR): New York Yankees -139, Under 7.
Game 1 of the AL Wild Card between the Red Sox and Yankees features a marquee pitching matchup of Garrett Crochet against Max Fried, with both southpaws entering in dominant form. Boston brings speed and aggressive baserunning but faces the challenge of a shorthanded roster. New York, led by Aaron Judge and a league-best offensive profile, balances its lineup power with a red-hot starter on the mound.
From an MLB Betting perspective, BUSR’s MLB Playoffs Odds reflect the tight history of this rivalry, yet New York’s current form and offensive firepower give them the advantage. The Under holds the strongest value given the caliber of starting pitching and recent bullpen performance. Expect a playoff-style duel where runs come at a premium, and the Yankees leverage home-field advantage to claim the opener.
Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers Wild Card Game 1 Preview
The MLB playoffs continue on Tuesday night with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the Wild Card round. First pitch is scheduled for 9:08 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers enter as NL West champions with a 93-49 record, while the Reds grabbed the third Wild Card at 83-79 after a furious September push. BUSR’s MLB Playoffs Odds have Los Angeles listed as a -1.5 run line favorite at +108, with the total set at 7 runs.
Both teams enter in strong form, backed by quality pitching. Cincinnati went 9-4 over its final 13 games, while Los Angeles finished 9-2 across its last 11. The Reds send Hunter Greene to the mound, who has shown dominance late in the year, while the Dodgers counter with Blake Snell, a Cy Young winner who has been sharp since his return to the rotation. With both offenses trending uneven and two frontline arms in play, this game lines up as a classic October pitchers’ duel.
Reds Finish Off Furious Run
The Cincinnati Reds clinched their first playoff berth in five years by winning nine of their final 13 games, leaning on a pitching staff that carried a 2.54 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over that stretch. For the season, the staff ranked seventh in the National League in ERA (3.86), seventh in strikeouts (1,380), and fourth in opponent batting average (.233). The starting rotation went 53-49 with a 3.85 ERA, while the bullpen contributed 41 saves, 30 wins, and a 3.89 ERA.
Being offensive could be the Only Way for the Reds
Offensively, Cincinnati hit only .235 in its final 13 games but scored 51 runs with 33 extra-base hits. For the season, they finished with a .245 team batting average (11th in NL) and 716 runs scored (8th). Gavin Lux led the club in batting average at .269, though he hit .243 in September. Elly De La Cruz delivered star power, leading the team with 22 home runs, 86 RBIs, 102 runs scored, and 37 steals. He closed the season strong, hitting .313 with three home runs over his last nine games.
Hunter Greene takes the ball in Game 1 after finishing the season 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA. He faced the Dodgers once in late August, giving up five runs, six hits, and two homers over five innings in a loss. Greene has made three career starts at Dodger Stadium with a 0-2 record and 3.78 ERA. Recently, he has been more effective: Cincinnati went 6-3 in his last nine starts, and over his previous five outings, he went 2-0 with a 2.64 ERA. Opponents hit only .192 against him this season, and over his last 43 innings, he struck out 52 batters while allowing six home runs.
Dodgers Gear Up for Repeat
Los Angeles heads into the postseason for the 13th straight year, chasing a third World Series title in the last six seasons. The Dodgers clinched their fourth consecutive NL West crown with a 93-49 record and closed the season 9-2 over their last 11 games. Their pitching staff was stellar down the stretch, posting a 3.01 ERA over the final two weeks while holding opponents to a .192 average in their last 13 games. Overall, Los Angeles ranked 8th in MLB in ERA (3.95), third in opponent batting average (.232), and led the league with 1,505 strikeouts. Their rotation finished 49-36 with a 3.69 ERA, while the bullpen was 44-33 with 46 saves and a 4.27 ERA.
Ohtani is the Answer for the Dodgers
The offense scored 102 runs across the final 13 games despite hitting only .235 as a group. In the year, the Dodgers ranked third in the National League in batting average (.253) and first in runs scored (825). Shohei Ohtani highlighted the lineup with a record 55 home runs, hitting .289 with 102 RBIs and an MLB-best 146 runs. He hit .312 with 10 home runs in September alone. Freddie Freeman hit .295 with 39 doubles, while Mookie Betts posted a .306 average and drove in 24 runs across his final 27 games.
Blake Snell, who finished the season 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA, gets the start in Game 1. He did not face Cincinnati this season but owns a 2-0 career record and 1.80 ERA against them in two starts. Snell has struck out 72 batters in 61.1 innings this year while allowing only three home runs. The Dodgers went 5-3 in his last eight starts, and he recorded double-digit strikeouts in three outings, including two of his previous three. Snell was 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA in his final five starts, and in his last two at Dodger Stadium, he combined to strike out 23 hitters over 13 innings while allowing only four hits and four walks.
Betting Recommendation
BUSR’s MLB Lines list the Dodgers -1.5 at +108 with the total at 7. Los Angeles dominated the regular-season series, winning five of six meetings by an average of 3.6 runs per game. The Dodgers also swept the Reds at Dodger Stadium in late August, with all three wins by at least three runs. Cincinnati’s road offense struggled this year, batting .238 away from home and scoring 351 total runs on the road. They managed only four runs total in their trip to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers are the Favorites, but the Reds are up to Break the Lines
Hunter Greene has the stuff to keep the Reds competitive, but he was hit hard in his lone start against the Dodgers this season. Los Angeles has not seen Snell this year, which could play to his advantage, and his recent dominance at home reinforces confidence in his ability to control this matchup. The Dodgers hit .260 at home this season and scored 447 runs at Dodger Stadium, the most in the National League.
With both pitching staffs trending strongly and both offenses inconsistent, the Under offers value as well. The season series went 4-1-1 to the Under, with Cincinnati held to two runs or fewer in half the games. Los Angeles’ offense has been top-heavy at times, and Cincinnati’s September surge was fueled more by pitching than hitting. The Under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings between these teams.
Best Bets (BUSR): Dodgers -1.5 (+108), Under 7.
Game 1 of the NL Wild Card features a matchup of elite young righty Hunter Greene against Cy Young winner Blake Snell at Dodger Stadium. Cincinnati rides momentum from a late surge, but their offense has lacked consistency away from home. Los Angeles, led by Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts, combines a deep lineup with the league’s strikeout-leading staff and a proven playoff pedigree.
From an MLB Betting standpoint, the Dodgers’ dominance in the head-to-head series, their home-field strength, and Snell’s current form point strongly toward a Los Angeles victory. With MLB Odds listing the run line at plus money, Dodgers -1.5 provides the best side value. Trends and the strength of both starting pitchers also support the Under. Expect the champs to open their title defense with a sharp Game 1 win and set the tone for the series.
The MLB Odds Await You in the 2025 Wild Card Series
The 2025 MLB Wild Card Series promises to be a thrilling event, offering great excitement and numerous betting opportunities. With close games, star pitchers and hitters, and the pressure of postseason play, the MLB Betting will be the perfect guide for those who want to experience baseball more intensely—and why not, make some money too.
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