MLB ALCS Game 2 Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (Guardians vs. Yankees)
One game on the schedule with Game 2 of the ALCS. The Yankees took Game 1 for their second straight playoff series, and now they could go to Cleveland with a 2-0 lead while the Guardians will try to even this series. Let’s look at both sides and give you the best bet for Game 2 of the ALCS.
Join our new MLB Betting Group to share bets and compete in leaderboards >>
Tuesday's Best MLB Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Guardians (+142) at New York Yankees (-170) | O/U 7 (-108/-112)
The bats came out in a big way for the Yankees as Juan Soto got his first home run of the playoffs, while Stanton is having another fantastic October with his second home run to go along with his .368 batting average and .789 slugging percentage.
It's not just the power but the discipline where New York excels. They led the regular season in walk percentage and got seven in that game, and Guardians even threw two wild pitches, which led to two runs. Extending the at-bats will get pitchers out quicker, and extensive use of the Guardians' pitching staff will pay off for the Yanks later in this series.
They will have ace Gerrit Cole try and seal a 2-0 series lead. He led the close-out game in the ALDS, going seven innings and allowing one earned run.
The Guardians aren't far off from the Yankees in terms of power - 3.8% home run rate for New York compared to 3.1% for the Cleveland - they had one from Brayan Rocchio, but they need to keep up as the heart of the Yankees' order is looking good. They don't have the patience of the Yankees, being 22nd in walk rate; they also do not strike out as they are 11th in strikeout rate, and don't do much when they put the ball in play, as they were last in BABIP.
The pitching has propelled this team, especially the bullpen. Their 2.57 ERA in the regular season was by far the best in the league, and in Game 1, they allowed two runs in 5.1 innings.
They will have their top starter, Tanner Bibee, going, and he helped get the win in the elimination Game 4 for Cleveland by going four innings and allowing two earned.
You look at the pitching matchup, and Cole has extensive success against Cleveland, as their lineup is batting .236. Although most of the Yankees who have seen Bibee only have 2 or 3 plate appearances, of the eight who have seen him, six have a hit. The Yanks’ offense looks great, along with the pitching, and they can get a 2-0 lead.
Pick: Yankees -1.5 (+140)