NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/14)
Alex Christenson
Playoff baseball is here. Welcome to our first NLDS edition of MLB Best Bets. Saturday, we’ll take a look into Game 1 of an NL East showdown between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, taking place at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Saturday, the Braves will hand the ball off to the MLB wins leader (and the only 20-game winner of the season) Spencer Strider. The Phillies will counter with LHP Ranger Suárez. Both pitchers have plenty of history against the opposing lineups, but I have one bat in particular that stands out.
Austin Riley closed out yet another All-Star season at third base for the Braves. He ended the regular season with a .280 AVG, 37 homers and 97 RBIs. Riley led all third basemen in hits and home runs this season and finished sixth in RBIs. He’s been brilliant against the Phillies in 72 career games, with a .307 AVG, 17 homers and 42 RBIs. I expect Riley’s success against the Phillies to continue Saturday as he gets a favorable matchup with Ranger Suárez.
In 16 career plate appearances against Suárez, Riley has a .375 AVG, .688 SLG and 1.188 OPS. Three of his six hits have gone for extra bases in this head to head and Riley has been lights out against LHP once again this year. Riley averaged .289 at the plate with 15 XBH, and a .941 OPS against lefties. Saturday, we’ll back the power-hitting third baseman to rack up at least two total bases for us with the value being just to good to pass up on. Best of luck.
Best Bet
Austin Riley over 1.5 total bases (+130, DraftKings Sportsbook) — 1-Unit Wager
