The MLB Postseason has arrived. The games mean more and mean even more with DraftKings Sportsbook action. DraftKings offers plenty of ways to play from betting on the Moneyline to the Run Line and even dabbling in Player Props, if that’s what you’re into.
Here are my favorite DraftKings Sportsbook picks for Saturday’s MLB Postseason betting card on October 5.
Follow along on Twitter (X) (@Race4thePrize) for additional MLB information and updates.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers
The Pick: Guardians -1.5 (+145)
Tanner Bibee isn’t a household name. That could change soon if he helps the Guardians win their first World Series since 1948. The Guardians have a rotation full of young, little-known arms. These prospects didn’t slip through the cracks. They weren’t ballyhooed because they weren’t dynamic. That’s where the Guardians step in. Cleveland has developed a reputation for developing arms. The Guardians target pitchers with good stuff that lack velocity. The staff then builds velo. In Bibee’s case, he had stuff and control. His velocity developed rapidly in the minors. As a rookie in 2023, Bibee posted a sub-three ERA in 142 innings. His ERA is up a tick this season but so is his run support. The Guardians’ offense was 24th in wRC+ last season. They have a top-10 lineup at home this season. Good pitching and hitting are the reasons why the Guardians have the best home record in the AL.
Was 2024 a step back for Bibee? Can he be trusted on the big stage for Game 1? His stats are fine. Excluding a couple of bad outings early in the season, Bibee’s numbers are Cy Young-worthy. His ERA, WHIP and K-BB% each rank inside the top 10 over the last half of the season. Most importantly his strikeouts are up and his walks are down this season. Speaking of Cy Young and numbers, Bibee’s supporting cast couldn’t be better. Cleveland has the best bullpen in baseball (2.57 ERA) and it’s backed by a Cy Young favorite. Emmanuel Clase converted 47 of 50 save opportunities and posted a 0.61 ERA.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
The Pick: Dodgers Moneyline (-142)
This shouldn’t be tricky, but it shouldn’t be easy. Dave Roberts’ managing style is neglected during the regular season. It’s under the microscope in the postseason. Bettors and fans alike suddenly remember that he can’t be trusted. He’ll go to the hook quickly or leave a pitcher hanging. Add to that the phenomenon of hot Wild Card teams that overperform and division winners coming out rusty from rest. It’s tricky.
Jack Flaherty is tricky. His pitches and his career are tricks. Flaherty was just another major leaguer for the Cardinals. After a promising start, the Cardinals’ future ace settled in as a middle-of-the-rotation arm five years into his career. He’d grown complacent and the Cardinals shipped him out. Flaherty signed with the Tigers in the offseason and the trick began.
It’s not uncommon for a change of scenery to radically transform a pitcher. Detroit was the perfect spot for a 28-year-old entering his prime. New coaches help. Detroit’s staff helped. This staff has developed several great arms. The increase in Flaherty’s strikeout numbers from 2023 to 2024 was one the biggest in the MLB. His ground ball rate is the highest of his career. That’s not much of a trick. Strike batters out and keep the ball on the ground. That’s pitching. It’s not a trick but hitters keep falling for it.
Flaherty wasn’t his sharpest to close the season. He was pretty close to sharp but he made a few miscuts. His starts were ruined by home runs. One bad pitch blemished great outings. Even with occasional mistakes, Flaherty finished 6-2 with the Dodgers. This isn’t daily fantasy baseball. It’s a bet. It’s a bet to win. Flaherty wins.
Place your MLB bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is greenflagradio2) and I 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 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.
