It’s a pitcher’s duel in Game 2 of the ALCS.
The pregame narrative: Gerrit Cole starts for the New York Yankees opposite Tanner Bibee for the Cleveland Guardians. I expect both to perform in what should be a close game. I’m also backing Jose Ramirez and fading Aaron Judge to round out this +340 SGP.
Check out my Guardians vs. Yankees predictions for Game 2 of the ALCS on Oct. 15.
Guardians vs. Yankees SGP predictions
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Parlay: Cole over 17.5 outs + Guardians +2.5 + Ramirez over 0.5 hits + Judge under 1.5 hits (+340)
Cole over 17.5 outs (-155): Nowadays, pitchers don’t typically work deep into postseason games.
New York’s bullpen is solid and well-rested enough to eat innings. But Cole is the type of arm managers make exceptions for. The 2023 AL Cy Young winner has a 2.36 ERA across his last 10 starts dating back to the regular season.
He’s gone over this line in seven of those appearances, including his most recent outing: A one-run, seven-inning gem against the Kansas City Royals to secure New York’s spot in the Championship Series.
Cole has fared well against Cleveland’s lineup in the past. He’s cleared this line in five straight starts against the Guardians and held them to one hit in 6.0 IP in August.
SGP legs
Guardians +2.5 (-315): The Guardians lost the series opener, 5-2, last night after a disastrous third inning featuring a Juan Soto home run and several wild pitches.
Bibee should steady the ship tonight.
The second-year righty kept the Detroit Tigers at bay in both of his ALDS starts. He allowed just two runs in a combined 8.2 IP (2.08 ERA). The Yankees represent a serious step up in class but it’s nice to know the postseason lights weren’t too bright.
Bibee’s 3.47 regular-season ERA ranked 22nd in MLB. The Guardians covered this line in 29 of his 31 starts.
Ramirez over 0.5 hits (-205): Ramirez is one Guardian who has figured Cole out.
The superstar third basemen is 12-for-34 lifetime against New York’s ace with a .452 on-base percentage. J-Ram was held hitless last night and is batting just .150 this postseason but I expect him to snap out of it.
He hit .279 this year and doesn’t get retired on strikes easily.
Ramirez ranks in the 98th percentile for K rate (12.0) and 97th percentile for whiff rate (15.2), per Baseball Savant.
Judge under 1.5 hits (-560): Can we talk about October Judge?
The MVP-to-be lowered his postseason batting average to .133 after going 0-for-2 with a walk last night. In 49 career playoff games, he is hitting .204 with just eight multi-hit outings (one in the last 15 games).
He’s still reaching base this year at a .364 clip thanks to walking a bunch, but that only works in our favour.
I would never recommend playing this wager on its own but bringing it into this SGP gives us a nice little odds boost from +275 to +340.
Picks made at 10:45 a.m. on 10/15/24.
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Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.