MLB
1 Pick.
8:08PM EST: LAD/NYY First 5 Innings Over 4.5 +100 (4 Units).
LAD SP Jack Flaherty allowed 2 ER on 5 hits and 1 walk across 5.1 IP in Game 1 of this series. The post-season start before that saw him give up 8 runs on 3 IP at the NYM. That was his only road playoff start of the 4. His first start against the Mets was a strong 7 shutout inning performance. His first playoff start came against the Padres and he allowed 4 ER on 5.1 IP. He finished the regular season allowing 3 runs or more in 3 straight. He's also allowed 3 runs or more in 3 straight road starts and all within the first 5 innings. New York finally came out of their slump last night and came through with big hits. Despite some success in Game 1 this is still a bad matchup for Flaherty. He gets in trouble with walks and NY lead the league in that category. They're also seeing him for the 2nd time in a week which only makes things easier.
Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole makes the start. As also pitched well in Game 1, allowing 1 ER on 6 IP. Boone's decision to pull him at 88 pitchers proved costly. He's just been significantly worse at Home this season. He posted a 4.31 ERA at Home this season compared to a 2.49 ERA on the Road. In last year's Cy Young winning campaign he posted a 2.88 Home ERA compared to a 2.35 ERA on the Road. Both Stellar numbers but it's the short porch in right and the HR Friendly Ballpark that burns Cole in the Bronx. He's a fly ball pitcher and the Dodgers have hit 27 Homeruns this post-season. Freddie Freeman's homered in 6 straight WS games and he hit a flyout to RF against Cole in Game 1 that would have left Yankees stadium. In 2 Home playoff starts this year Cole's allowed 2 Runs on 6 hits and 4 walks to the Guardians on 4.1 IP, and 4 runs on 7 Hits and 2 walks on 5 IP to the Royals. A much tougher lineup and again, they're seeing him for the 2nd time in a Week.
The high leverage arms have been lights out for both squads in this series. The Dodgers gave all their best the day off yesterday so they're free to unload them with another day off tomorrow in the event the Yankees win. The Yankees have no choice but to push their best relievers as they're in Win or Go Home mode.
