With the conclusion of the wild-card games, it’s now time to turn our focus to the next stage of the MLB playoffs—the division series.
Today, the American League Division Series kicks into full gear. Starting things off will be the Toronto Blue Jays taking on the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Then right after that game, the Boston Red Sox gear up for a primetime showdown with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Read on below for a quick look at both ALDS openers.
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers (4:38 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (-170) at Texas Rangers (+150); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
On the mound for Toronto will be Marco Estrada, who finished the regular season with a bang. He’s allowed no more than a single run in his final three starts. That stretch included a seven-inning shutout performance at Seattle. Estrada, across four career starts, is 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA versus Texas.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are answering with Cole Hamels. The lefty has struggled in four starts this season against the Blue Jays, going 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA. The postseason, however, is where Hamels thrives, and his 3.03 ERA through 15 playoff starts proves that.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto (-170) deliver the first blow, 5-3.
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians (8:08 PM ET)
Line: Boston Red Sox (+110) at Cleveland Indians (-130); total: 8.5 – view all MLB lines
Only 1.5 games separated the regular-season records of the Red Sox and Indians. You can expect Game 1, including the succeeding meetings, between these two teams to be just as close.
Climbing the hill for Boston is Rick Porcello, this year’s top candidate for the AL Cy Young Award. The sinker-baller was one of only three pitchers to garner 20 or more wins in the regular season. And by the way, he had the most with 22. Porcello, who is 5-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 career starts at Progressive Field, also got the win and allowed just two runs across 5 2/3 innings in his lone start against the Indians this year.
As for Cleveland, it’s sending out Trevor Bauer. 2016 was arguably the best season of his young MLB career, but it’s difficult to see him pitch well against Boston—a team that’s completely owned the 25-year-old righty. Bauer is 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA in three career games (two starts) in this matchup.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston (+110) wins this one, 5-1.
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