What an opening to the division series. All four games were decided by 3 runs or less. And some BIG time heroics, I'm looking at you Air Yordan...
Gotta love baseball, never over till it's over.
We are back for the game 2s of the National League division series with some additional fun as you watch. Pick a side with our Props and see how many you can get correct competing against friends, family, partners, roommates, really anyone. All our Props have nearly even chances of happening, so it doesn't matter how much you know, all can play.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
The Phillies provided the only upset of yesterday, though it ended up being tighter than would have seemed after they took a 7-1 lead in the 5th. If this postseason has taught us anything so far, it's that no lead is large enough for comfort. Their stars in the meat of the order came through as Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos each had 3 hits. One thing to keep an eye on is the Phillies are without their trade deadline acquisition of closer Dave Robertson as he, believe it or not, injured himself while celebrating in the wild card series. This was put in full spotlight yesterday as the usual starter but new closer fill-in, Zach Eflin, gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th ultimately almost costing his team the game.
This stout Braves lineup never goes down quietly as exhibited by the 7 hits, 2 HRs, and 6 RBIs combined from Acuña Jr, Olson, and d'Arnaud in game 1. But they now go up against Phillies' top of rotation ace, Zack Wheeler, who will look to lead the Phillies to a fourth straight road playoff win and an envious 2-0 lead before they return home for game 3. Can the Phillies continue their run of road dominance of their NL East rivals?
Two or more Hits in the first inning: Yes OR No
Team to be winning after 5 innings: Phillies OR Braves OR Tie
Matt Olson to score a 1 Run or more: Yes OR No
Bryce Harper to have 2 or more Total Bases (hits only): Yes OR No
Phillies to score 4 Runs or more: Yes OR No
Tiebreaker: Guess the total runs scored by both teams combined, closest to the result wins! (current total is estimated to be around 8)
San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Questions about the Dodgers' bullpen were dispelled at least for the moment after four innings of shutout baseball, pitching through only a two run lead. After the surprising ommision from their NLDS roster of future hall of fame closer, Craig Kimbrel, and pre-season departure of long-standing (17 years!) closer, Kenley Jansen, the bullpen and how Dave Roberts navigates the later innings looks to be daily conversation. But also not to be missed is the Padres bullpen actually one upped that of the Dodgers, throwing 5+ innings of no hit, no run ball. The Padres now turn to back to the top of their rotation in ace Yu Darvish who is coming off a masterful 7 innings, 1 run performance against the Mets. If he and the bullpen can continue to roll, the Padres will be in good shape to steal one on the road.
Another positive for the Padres is they out hit the Dodgers 7-6, with nearly all of those hits coming from the bottom half of their order. If their stars at the top can turn things around, they may be in great shape as the series goes on. To counter that, the Dodgers turn to Clayton Kershaw who had another fantastic, albeit injury riddled season. We all know about his past postseason struggles, but those disappeared in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series run, can he repeat that feat?
Darvish to pitch 6 full innings (18 outs) or more: Yes OR No
Kershaw to give up 2 Earned Runs or more: Yes OR No
Freddie Freeman to have 2 or more Total Bases (hits only): Yes OR No
Padres to score 3 Runs or more: Yes OR No
Dodgers to win by 2 or more: Yes OR No
Tiebreaker: Guess the total runs scored by both teams combined, closest to the result wins! (current total is estimated to be around 7)
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