World Series: Game Three Picks
Many people likely saw the World Series being at 2-0 heading back to Washington. However, what most likely did not expect was that it would be the Nationals leading the series 2-0. The Astros now have their back to the wall and need to take at least two of these three in Washington to keep the series alive
Here are Today’s MLB Picks:
Houston Astros @ Washington Nationals
1u – Washington Nationals ML @ +130
- The Houston Astros have lost three of their five road games in the playoffs
- Anibal Sanchez has allowed just one earned run in 12 2/3 innings in these playoffs
The Astros were likely hoping they were going to see Patrick Corbin in Game 3 given their hitters success against left-handed pitchers this season. However, they will find Anibal Sanchez on the mound, who has been superb through two starts in these playoffs. The only blip on the radar for Sanchez this season is his home ERA sitting at 4.24.
Zack Greinke has not had a good time so far in the playoffs. In three starts he has pitched 14 innings with 10 earned, 15 hits and five walks. Greinke’s stuff does not seem to be prevailing so far in these playoffs. However, the things in his favor are a road ERA below three, and his only outdoor start of these playoffs was a 4 1/3 innings one earned run performance in New York. He did walk four and allow three hits in that game so the surface numbers may be deceiving how poorly he actually pitched, and the way the Nationals are hitting the ball right now I cannot see the letting hm get away with it.
1u – Over 8 Total Runs @ -108
- The over is 12-7-1 in games in Washington with a line set at 8-or-8.5
- The first two games of the series saw an average of 12 runs scored.
The totals are tough to call in this series. So far, we have seen the over hit twice despite the best four pitchers in the series having been on the mound. Now we arguably have two of the bottom-half talent wise that we will see start a game in this series. Greinke has had his issues in these playoffs allowing runs and struggling at times with his control. Meanwhile, Sanchez has been good in the playoffs but is not the most consistent pitcher and has a worse ERA at home than on the road this season.
By Ben Rolfe