2020 MLB Playoffs: Astros vs. Rays, Dodgers vs. Braves odds and picks

After they took Game 1 over the Houston Astros in San Diego on Sunday night, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to extend their American League Championship Series lead Monday afternoon.

Then the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers will begin their National League Championship Series in Arlington, Texas.

Here are the best bets on the diamond for this holiday Monday.

Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Another solid effort by the Rays bullpen helped secure a 2-1 victory over the Astros in Game 1. With Charlie Morton on the hill, Tampa stands a good chance to build its series lead.

Morton allowed just one earned run on four hits over five frames against a hot-hitting Yankees lineup in Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday. That lowered his career postseason ERA to 3.50.

Tampa’s bullpen has allowed just one earned run over its last 10 2/3 innings. Houston’s hitters appear to have their work cut out for them.

Lance McCullers Jr. struggled in his first postseason start of 2020, when he coughted up four earned runs in just four innings against the Athletics. He surrendered eight hits, including three home runs.

The Rays offense has been quiet lately, with only five runs in their last three games, but they still have some hot bats in the lineup. That includes outfielder Randy Arozarena, who homered in the Rays’ Game 1 victory. He is batting .419 in the playoffs.  

MLB free play: Rays moneyline

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Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The suddenly dominant Braves pitching staff (0.92 ERA over 49 innings in the playoffs) will be put to the test by the Dodgers’ top-flight lineup.

Max Fried — who went 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA in the regular season — gets the nod for Game 1 for Atlanta. His 2020 postseason work has been a mixed bag. He threw seven shutout innings against the Reds, followed by four runs allowed in four innings against the Marlins. Fried did not face the Dodgers this season but took them on twice in 2019, with disastrous results.

He lasted a mere six innings over two starts and was shelled for seven runs on 12 hits (10.50 ERA). Look for Justin Turner (3-for-4 against Fried, with a home run) and Cody Bellinger (2-for-5, one home run, three RBIs) to generate early runs for Los Angeles.

Walker Buehler has the Game 1 assignment for the Dodgers. Blister issues have kept him from pitching deep into games, but he has remained effective on the mound. Buehler has given up only three earned runs over eight innings this postseason. He’s backed by a bullpen that sports a 1.64 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and .183 opponent batting average in the playoffs.

MLB free play: Dodgers moneyline