How the public is betting ALCS Game 2, NLCS Game 1

The 2020 MLB Playoffs continue Monday as the final four teams look to punch their ticket to the World Series. Game 2 of the ALCS between the Astros and Rays is set for a 4:07 p.m. ET start at Petco Park in San Diego. The Rays took Game 1 by a score of 2-1.

Game 1 of the NLCS between the Dodgers and Braves will begin at 8:08 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Neither team has dropped a game during the postseason, so something will have to give.

Here’s how people are betting ALCS Game 2 and NLCS Game 1 thus far at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Astros-Rays betting splits

The over/under run total is set for 8.5, and so far the public is leaning toward the over, with 54% of bets and 60% of the handle put that direction. That is despite the fact that only three runs were scored in Game 1. However, a scoring uptick makes sense. Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. gave up five runs in four innings in his last start against Oakland, while Rays starter Charlie Morton typically gets banged around by the Astros. He has a career 6.28 ERA against them, including a 9.00 ERA in two starts last season, the last time he faced Houston. Aside from Game 1, the Astros have been crushing the ball lately, averaging 8.3 runs per game in the ALDS. Monday’s matchup is also a day game and that makes a noticeable difference in how the ball carries in San Diego.

The public likes the Astros in the moneyline (+112), with 56% of the bets and 66% of the handle going that way. McCullers has not faced Tampa Bay this season, but he does have a solid 3.79 ERA in three career starts against them. Still, I’m not sure those are good enough odds to justify taking the Astros over this red-hot Rays team, which won 67 percent of its regular-season games and is 6-2 in the postseason.

Braves-Dodgers betting splits

The over/under run total is set for 8, and so far 55 percent of bets are taking the over while 55 percent of the handle is taking the under. It’s easy to see why some think this will be a high-scoring game as these two offenses are the best in the National League. It’s also easy to see this being a pitcher’s duel with the Braves and Dodgers sending out Max Fried and Walker Buehler, respectively. Fried is a bonafide ace but did struggle in his last start, giving up four runs on six hits in four innings against the Marlins. Buehler has gone four innings in each of his two postseason starts, allowing a total of three runs. Solid but not spectacular. The Dodgers’ bullpen, particularly the back end, is a huge question mark after Kenley Jansen got knocked around in his last outing, and there is reason to be optimistic about the Braves’ chances if they can force Los Angeles’ starters out early.

That being said, bettors are hammering the Dodgers moneyline (-141) right now, racking up 66% percent of the bets and 60% of the handle. If there are any games the Braves are going to win it’s when they have Fried or Ian Anderson on the mound. But betting against the Dodgers right now is extremely risky business. They went 43-17 in the regular season and are 5-0 in the playoffs, winning every game but one by multiple runs.

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