Championship series round betting guide: Props, picks, futures

Todd Zola, FantasyOct 16, 2024, 07:15 AM ET
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- Writing on fantasy baseball game theory and player analysis since 1997
- Winner of the 2013 Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Best Baseball Article

The 2024 MLB championship series round is here, with a pair of best-of-seven showdowns ready to get going. In both series, Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 (those last two games, if necessary) will take place at the home stadium of the better-seeded team.

Check back every day to see the latest odds for each game as well as a few betting tips on some of the prop bets available to be made on each contest.

For more on the MLB playoffs, check out each team’s odds to win the World Series here.

All odds accurate as of publish time. For more, go to ESPN BET.

New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Series tied 1-1

Series line: Mets (+130), Dodgers (-155)
Series result: Mets in 5 (+800), Mets in 6 (+500), Mets in 7 (+450)
Series result: Dodgers in 5 (+475), Dodgers in 6 (+290), Dodgers in 7 (+340)

Zola’s series picks

I don’t believe in momentum, but I do believe teams can get in a collective groove and elevate their game. Even with Yoshinobu Yamamoto throwing five scoreless innings last night, the Mets’ pitching is currently better than the Dodgers’. That’s enough for me to pick the underdog Mets to win this series (+150).
Furthermore, with the way the pitching lines up, Yamamoto is going to appear in only one game. I’ll give another win to the Dodgers and call for the Mets to defeat the Dodgers in six games (+550).

Game 1: Dodgers 9, Mets 0

Game 2: Mets 7, Dodgers 3

Game 3: Citi Field, New York, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 8:08 p.m., (FS1)

Game 3 run line: Dodgers -1.5 (+150), Mets +1.5 (-180)
Game 3 money line: Dodgers -115, Mets -105
Game 3 O/U: 7.5 runs, O (-120)/U (Even)

Zola’s picks

The NLCS shifts to Citi Field. The Dodgers opted for a bullpen game in Game 2, giving Walker Buehler a few more days to prepare to face the Mets. Similar to how using relievers in Game 2 backfired for the Dodgers, using Buehler on extra rest won’t matter either. I’ll take Luis Severino and the Mets to be victorious in Game 3, and bet the money line.
Getting plus odds on Pete Alonso to go over 1.5 total hits + runs + RBI is too good to pass up. I’ll take it. (+105).

Game 4: Citi Field, New York, Thursday, Oct. 17, 8:08 p.m., (FS1)

*Game 5: Citi Field, New York, Friday, Oct. 18, 5:08 p.m., (Fox/FS1)

*Game 6: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Sunday, Oct. 20, 8:08 p.m., (Fox/FS1)

*Game 7: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 21, 8:08 p.m, (Fox/FS1)

Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees

Yankees lead series 2-0

Series line: Guardians (+600), Yankees (-850)
Series result: Guardians in 6 (+1800), Guardians in 7 (+1000)
Series result: Yankees sweep (+210), Yankees in 5 (+260), Yankees in 6 (+340), Yankees in 7 (+600)

Zola’s series pick: Gerrit Cole‘s performance in the series-clinching Game 4 in Kansas City tips me toward a subway World Series with the Yankees taking the ALCS. That said, the Guardians aren’t going down easy, so I’m hedging my pick of Yankees to win in seven games (+380), with the series needing a Game 7 (+200).

Game 1: Yankees 5, Guardians 2

Game 2: Yankees 6, Guardians 3

Game 3: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Thursday, Oct. 17, 5:08 p.m., (TBS)