The 2022 regular season is over and attention now turns to the MLB postseason, with the playoffs starting this weekend. Here we’re looking at the ALDS, and we will name who we think is going to be the two winners from the American Division (ALWC) wildcard matches in our MLB betting picks.
The Houston Astros and the New York Yankees are the two teams that received a bye into the ALDS, meaning the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays are the teams that will compete in the wildcard matches.
All the teams are in and the matchups are set.
The #Postseason is almost here! pic.twitter.com/RmqeRBYlis
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2022
The wildcard series are best of three matches which start on Friday, October 7th, with the second match on Saturday, and if needed, a third and deciding match will be played on Sunday.
The American Division wildcard matches are:-
- Cleveland Guardians v Tampa Bay Rays
- Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners
Before we go any further with our MLB postseason playoff picks, let’s take a look at the betting to win the American League Pennant.
American League Pennant Betting 2022
In the betting to win the American League Pennant, the Houston Astros are the +175 favorites. They are ahead of the Yankees with the best MLB betting sites, with the New York team priced up at +225 for success.
After the two favorites there is a bit of a gap to the Toronto Blue Jays at +600. The Blue Jays are followed by Tampa Bay Rays (+750), the Cleveland Guardians (+800), and the Seattle Mariners (+800).
| 2022 MLB American League Pennant Betting |  |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | +175 |
| New York Yankees | +225 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +600 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +750 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +800 |
| Seattle Mariners | +800 |
These odds are provided by BetOnline. You can read more about his bookmaker and their latest betting offers at our BetOnline sportsbook review.
Guardians v Rays
The opening match of the postseason sees the Cleveland Guardians taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. In the latest betting to win the series, the Guardians are -123, with the Rays at +103.
The Guardians won 92 of their regular season games with a percentage of .568. The Rays won 86 matches with a percentage of .531. Based on that, it looks like a fairly equal series. But one thing to bear in mind is the form at the business end of the season. The last ten matches for both teams showed the Guardians at 7-3, and the Rays at 2-8.
- What; Cleveland Guardians v Tampa Bay Rays
- Where; Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date; October 7th, 2022
- Time; 12.07 pm ET
In the betting to win match one of the series, the Guardians are the favorites at -115, with the Rays at +105. In the handicap market, the Guardians (-1.5) giving away a one and a half points start are +190, with the Rays priced up at -220 with a +1.5 points start.
To complete the betting, the over/under mark is set at 6.5 points. Under 6.5 is the favorite at -125, with over 6.5 at +105.
For the Rays to turn their form around in such a small space of time is going to be extremely difficult. They suffered a shocking end to the season, and ended up seven wins behind the Blue Jays, whom they were level with for wins not too long ago.
The value bet here looks to be the Guardians on the handicap at +190.
Blue Jays v Mariners
The Blue Jays go into this series at -160 to progress. The Mariners are the outsiders at +140. The Mariners are seeded five, the Blue Jays are four.
They are both also outsiders to win the 2022 World Series, with the Blue Jays at +1400, and the Mariners at +2000. Both teams had identical form at the end of the season, finishing with 7-3 records in their last ten regular season matches.
- What; Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners
- Where; Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Date; October 7th, 2022
- Time; 4.07 pm ET
On the moneyline for the opening match of the series, the Blue Jays are -142, with the Mariners at +131. On the handicap, the Blue Jays (-1.5) are +160 from a 1.5 points deficit. The Mariners (+1.5) are -180.
Finally, the total points spread has been set at seven goals. Under 7 is –115, with over 7 at -105.
These look like two well matched teams. The Blue Jays won 92 (.568) regular season matches, while the Mariners won 90 (.556). Home advantage might not play a huge factor here either, as both sides have very similar home and away records throughout the season.
I do feel that the Blue Jays had the more difficult run in. They had to face both the Yankees and the Rays in their final four series, and this may have made them more battle hardened for the postseason. I’m liking the look of the Blue Jays on the handicap, so I’m making Toronto Blue Jays (-1.5) at +160 my betting pick for this match.
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