We are FINALLY in the thick of the MLB postseason with the NLDS and ALDS featuring some exciting matchups. FOX MLB analyst and former World Series champion Adam Wainwright joined Tuesday’s edition of GoJo and Golic to discuss how he believes these matchups will shake out.
Mike Golic Jr. kicked off the segment by asking about Wainwright’s impression on this round of playoff baseball where each divisional series is tied for the first time in history. Wainwright mentions that it is so fun to watch, and it is really good for the sport that teams like the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers are in the postseason playing inspired baseball despite entering their matchups as heavy underdogs.
Wainwright, who is covering the Mets–Phillies NLDS battle, compared this matchup to a heavyweight title fight between Rocky and Apollo Creed. He says that the team that loses is the one that runs out of innings, emphasizing that the teams are punching back and forth, not being phased by each other’s actions throughout the game.
Mike Golic Sr. asks Wainwright about the Mets’ tendency to take the lead in the eighth inning or later in three consecutive games and whether or not that style of play will be sustainable moving forward. The former Cardinals ace responds that it is a tough way to survive, but it is how the Mets have played for the last month. Further, he follows up that the Mets believe they can beat the Phillies and even references a conversation he had with Harrison Bader where he asked how he was winning these games, to which he responded with, “It’s our destiny.” Wainwright shares that you can do some special things when you believe and have talent.
Meanwhile, the Yankees-Royals matchup does not lack star power. Senior gets Wainwright to discuss the hitting struggles of Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. Judge has gone 1-for-7 in the series while Witt Jr. is 0-for-10, which is especially surprising given the players’ MVP-caliber regular-season performances. Wainwright credits both teams’ preparation as they entered the series with an understanding that Judge and Witt Jr. CANNOT beat them. This explains why Yankees pitchers have been pitching to him in a certain way. Regardless of the defensive adjustments, Wainwright adds, your stars must show up and show out. Despite their hitting struggles, Wainwright believes Witt can still go 14-14 and Judge can get so lava-hot that everything melts around him. With one stroke of the bat, these players can go on a tear to the point you will forget about their low numbers.
The NLDS matchup between the Padres and Dodgers seems to be the most emotionally charged series. GoJo asks Wainwright how both teams can reset after tensions have boiled over. Wainwright encourages the Dodgers to play their game and not feed into the chippiness because that feeds right into the momentum swinging toward the Padres. He believes San Diego may have the overall best team, but the star power of the Dodgers’ lineup has to get the team back to its winning ways.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: The Chiefs Stay Undefeated, Texans-Contenders or Pretenders, and is Alabama’s sky really falling?
Hour 2: They See Me Scrollin’, Adam Wainwright, Fox TV Analyst, Recaps MLB Playoffs + Maye Might Come Early This Year
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
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