ALCS Best Bets for Friday, October 22, 2021
It seemed like the entire world was on the Braves and Max Fried yesterday. So, of course, the Dodgers crushed the ball for the first time basically all postseason and won the game. Tonight, we shift back to the ALCS where we have the Astros on the verge of a World Series berth.
The Red Sox are combatting the Astros desires with their second-best pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi. This will be Eovaldi’s third appearance and one that may feel rushed after he last pitched on the 19th. However, in that outing, he went just 0.2 innings and allowed four earned runs on two hits and two walks. In his first start, in Houston, he went 5.1 innings and allowed three earned runs. He is typically better at Fenway, but I’m wondering if the Astros have him figured out now. Jose Altuve in particular has been very good against him. Altuve has three home runs against him, but really hasn’t caused much damage with him this series. I do like him to hit a home run at +440.
Luis Garcia has been terrible this postseason. He’s had two appearances, one against the White Sox and one against the Red Sox. In both, he allowed five earned runs. The only difference was that he allowed the five earned runs against the Red Sox on fewer hits and in just one inning. During the regular season, Garcia was good, going seven innings and giving up just one run. Before this series, Garcia was holding Red Sox hitters to just a .208 average. It is hard to have any faith in this guy considering in his last 8.2 innings he gave up 16 earned runs. The only side I have any confidence in is the over 9 runs at -105.