Thursday Baseball Predictions: ALDS Game 4s on Tap

Baseball picks went 4-0 yesterday

Guardians at Tigers Tigers Lead Series, 2-1

Pick: Guardians to Win (-120)

Score Prediction: Guardians 4 Tigers 2

The Guardians' offense has been held scoreless for an incredible 20 consecutive innings. The Tigers' have deployed a "chaos" strategy, using various bullpen arms throughout the game to give Cleveland hitters different looks and it's kept them off balance. All indications point to them deploying the same strategy again today. I just get the sense that Cleveland is going to break through at some point here and generate offense. It could be a matter of the Detroit bullpen arms running into a bit of fatigue, or it could be a matter of Cleveland's bats studying up and getting a better read on the opposing pitchers. On the other side, the Guardians have confidence in their starting pitcher, Tanner Bibee, their best available arm, to pitch well and quiet the Detroit lineup. I believe the Guardos will get a big win and force a Game 5 back at home.

Yankees at Royals Yankees Lead Series, 2-1

Pick: Full Game Under 7.5 Runs (+100)

Score Prediction: Yankees 5 Royals 0

I see this game totaling fewer than 7 runs for a few reasons. First, you have seemingly trustworthy veteran pitchers on the mound for both sides - the Yankees send out Gerrit Cole and the Royals send out Michael Wacha. Both players have the potential to pitc a solid 6 innings and contain the opposing offense to just a couple of runs. And if for some reason that does not happen, especially on the Kansas City side since they are facing potential elimination, they will pull Wacha early and turn to the bullpen. I feel that both scenarios set up well for an "Under." On top of that, neither of these offenses is lighting the world on fire right now. Neither the Yankees nor the Royals have scored more than 6 runs in any game this postseason. To me, the most likely outcome is that Cole will step up and shut down the KC lineup, and the Yankees will advance to the ALCS. If Cole is shaky, the Yankees can turn things over to a bullpen that has been phenomenal this October.