The MLB Playoffs are heating up with the Divisional Series in full swing. The National League Divisional Series have been particularly exciting. Both series (Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals vs LA Dodgers) are both tied at 2-2 with with Game 5 to come. On the other side of the coin, the New York Yankees secured a place in the ALCS with a 3-0 series victory over the Twins. They look likely to be joined by the Houston Astros who lead Wild Card winners Tampa Bay Rays 2-1.

Cardinals @ Braves, Game 5, Wednesday 17:02

Game 1: ATL 6 STL 7 Game 2: ATL 3 STL 0 Game 3: STL 1 ATL 3 Game 4: STL 5 ATL 4

This series heads back to Atlanta for a Game 5 after St. Louis won Game 4 on Monday night. Yadier Molina hit a walk-off sac fly to allow Kolten Wong run in for the winning run in the 10th inning. After surviving one elimination game, the momentum is now with the Cardinals and that might be enough to get them over the line tomorrow night.

Even so, the Braves are slight favorites at -115 with CanPlay. Home advantage is important for the Braves but the value bet is the Cardinals in the moneyline betting at -105.

23-year-old Jack Flaherty returns to the mound for the Cardinals for Game 5 after starting Game 2. Mike Foltynewicz returns to the mound for the Braves after keeping the Cardinals scoreless for seven innings in Game 2.

All odds available on CanPlay Sports today!

Nationals @ Dodgers, Game 5, Wednesday 20:37

Game 1: LA 6 Nats 0 Game 2: LA 2 Nats 4 Game 3: Nats 4 LA 10 Game 4: Nats 6 LA 1

Washington Nationals veteran Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer to power his side to a deciding Game 5. Zimmerman, the first-ever player to be drafted by the Nats all the way back in 2005, is coming to the end of his contract and at 35 this game could be the last of his Nationals career. His performance on Monday night and that of pitcher Max Scherzer might give the Nats fans reason for optimism.

The Nationals have never reached the NLCS in their 14 seasons, despite reaching the postseason four times since 2012. Stephen Strasburg returns to the mound for the Nats on Wednesday. He has been excellent this postseason with no walks and 14 strikeouts. Again, the markets on this one are tight. The Nats are slight underdogs at +125.

Their opponents, the Dodgers, had the best record in the National League this season and they were expected to reach the World Series for the third season in a row. They have lost both those series and expectation seems to be weighing heavy on their shoulders this year. If they prevail on Wednesday night then they have every chance of picking off the either the Braves of the Cardinals in the Championship Series. That’s a big if though.

Bet on the MLB Playoffs with CanPlay Sports!

BET | St. Louis Cardinals (-105) and Washington Nationals (+125) both to win @ +339 – $10 returns $43.90

 

Overview – Wild Card

As much as the World Series is the coveted prize in all of baseball because the seven-game series embodies exactly what baseball is – removing the potential for abnormalities and crowning the consistent best – these Wild Card games are the most exciting 18 innings in baseball.

This year, we’re treated to four teams who could all conceivably reach their respective Conference Championship Series, and it’s not often you can say that.
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Rays @ Blue Jays

In many ways, being in the same division as the Orioles could well gloss over the need for urgency at the Blue Jays. After all, Montoyo is pretty set to carry this farm into 2020 and finishing by sweeping the the Orioles as well as taking three of six against the Yankees sweetens the bitter taste in the mouths of the fanbase.

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Blue Jays @ Orioles Series Preview

Toronto Blue Jays (59-91) Baltimore Orioles (49-101)

If you could name this series, you’d probably dub it the ‘at least we’re not the Detroit Tigers’ three-gamer. That’s, of course, being cynical, but bar some farm system magic, neither of these rosters will get the blood pumping too quickly over the next few years.

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