A pivotal Game 5 in the ALCS and Game 4 in the NLCS is on tab for Friday, and with it comes some fun over/under challenges to potentially take advantage of.
Jordan Montgomery: 4.0 strikeouts vs. Astros - Over (Underdog)
Montgomery was fantastic in Game 1 and has been since the middle of September. He hasn't piled up strikeouts, but he's reached this total in seven of his last eight starts. You could argue he's due for some regression, but even if he's mediocre it’s likely he’ll pick up five-plus punchouts.
Trea Turner: 8.0 fantasy points at Diamondbacks - Over (PrizePicks)
Turner has picked up at least one hit in every postseason game so far for the Phillies, and he’s slashing a robust .471/.556/.882 with three homers and four stolen bases over those nine contests. Now, the right-handed hitting infielder will take on Joe Mantiply and the Arizona bullpen with a chance to give Philadelphia a commanding 3-1 lead. After scoring just one run against Brandon Pfaadt and Arizona in Thursday’s loss, it’s a good bet that Turner and the D-Backs offense will turn things around Friday.
Ketel Marte: 1.5 total bases vs. Phillies - Higher (Underdog)
The Marte part-ay has been alive and well in the postseason, with the switch-hitting infielder registering a 1.046 OPS in the playoffs. He’s coming off a three-hit day with a pair of doubles in Game 3, and he’ll face Cristopher Sanchez and the Philadelphia bullpen. Ride the hot hand, especially against a pitcher that hasn’t appeared in a game since September 30.
Adolis Garcia: 1.5 total bases vs. Astros: Under (PrizePicks)
Garcia has been solid in helping Texas get to this point and did go 2-for-4 with a homer against the Astros on Thursday. The outfielder has struggled against Justin Verlander, however, going 2-for-11 with no extra-base hits and three strikeouts. It will just take a two-bagger or better to reach this total, but after going deep in the loss Thursday, I’ll bet on some regression in this case, (relatively) confidently.
Cristopher Sanchez: 3.0 strikeouts at Diamondbacks - Under (DraftKings, PrizePicks)
Sanchez has not played since September 30. The left-hander was solid in the regular season with a 3.44 ERA in just-over 99 innings, but this will be his first ever appearance in the postseason, and it’s hard to simulate that experience. It seems likely Sanchez will only go through the Arizona lineup one time and asking him to strike out a quality Arizona lineup more than three times in a short time is asking a lot.
Yordan Alvarez: 9.0 fantasy points at Rangers - Over (DraftKings)
Imagine betting the under on any total for Yordan Alvarez in a postseason game. Couldn’t be me. I don’t care if it’s a lefty on the mound. I don’t care that it’s a high total that basically requires him to drive in a run or pick up two-plus hits. It doesn’t matter. It’s Yordan Alvarez. That’s all the analysis you need.