MLB Picks Tonight: Expert MLB Bets for World Series Game 1

Michael Rathburn gives his betting breakdown for Game 1 of the World Series as Justin Verlander and the Astros host Aaron Nola and the Phillies.
MLB Picks Tonight: Expert MLB Bets for World Series Game 1
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MLB Picks Tonight: Expert MLB Bets and Player Props for Phillies-Astros Game 1

Last Article's Record: 0-4 -3.3 units

Season Record: 216-204-6 +25.01 units

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Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros

With almost a full week of rest for both teams, we finally get Game 1 of the 2022 World Series with Aaron Nola vs. Justin Verlander. The Astros come in on a 9-game win streak including two games against these same Phillies at the end of the regular season. The Phillies are 9-2 in their last 11 games, but only scored 5 runs in the 3-game series against the Astros at the end of the season.

I hate laying -1.5 runs even with the Astros at home, but it's Aaron Nola and he could easily keep this within a 1-run game especially because I think it will be lower scoring. So, I will look at getting the Astros to just have the lead after 5 innings. A solo homer can make it happen or a 2-0, 2-1 type of outcome is more than reasonable. 

As I mentioned earlier, the Phillies only scored 5 runs in 3 games in Houston and with a fully rested pitching staff I think the Astros continue to prevent runs at home. I will piggyback on this with a correlation play of Verlander going 6 innings (over 17.5 outs). It is hard to envision how he doesn't go at least 6 innings unless he just gets completely shelled. 

MLB Best Bets and Player Props for Phillies at Astros

  • Astros -0.5 F5 for 1.06 RW buck (FanDuel -106)
  • Phillies UNDER 1.5 runs F5 for 1.45 RW buck (DraftKings -145)
  • Justin Verlander OVER 17.5 outs for 1.20 RW buck (DraftKings -120)

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Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available MLB player props, so we have an easy-to-use MLB odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. With the playoffs in full swing, stay up to date with the latest World Series odds and all other MLB Futures

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known as “Rath” in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) community, he has helped run operations for two prominent daily fantasy sports startups. Michael has taken his insider knowledge and expertise in daily fantasy sports to the content side. Rath won the 2016 FSWA "Baseball Article of the Year, Online" award and was a finalist for the FSWA Best Baseball Series in 2011.
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