Tigers Edge Guardians Behind Skubal’s Record-Setting Gem

Tarik Skubal delivered a postseason masterpiece, striking out a wild-card record 14 batters across 7 2/3 innings as the Detroit Tigers opened their AL wild-card series with a gritty 2-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

Skubal (1-0) allowed only one run on three hits in 107 pitches, surpassing the 13-strikeout mark previously shared by Gerrit Cole and Clayton Kershaw. Both Detroit runs came via small-ball execution, highlighted by Riley Greene’s hustle in the seventh that set up Zach McKinstry’s safety squeeze bunt for the decisive run.

Closer Will Vest sealed the victory with a tense four-out save, including a daring tag on Jose Ramirez, who was caught between third and home in the ninth inning. For bettors following pitching-driven teams, Skubal’s dominance reinforces the value of sharp ace performances in postseason wagers, something our MLB expert betting guide highlights in playoff contexts.

Cubs Outslug Padres in Wild Card Opener

At Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs rode a pair of solo blasts from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly to top the San Diego Padres 3-1 in their NL wild-card opener.

Chicago managed just six hits but made them count, with Nico Hoerner adding two and driving in a run on a sacrifice fly. Starter Matthew Boyd worked into the fifth before giving way to Daniel Palencia (1-0), who was dominant in relief. Brad Keller finished it off with a clean ninth to put the Cubs one win away from advancing.

San Diego’s Xander Bogaerts accounted for the lone RBI with a second-inning double, while starter Nick Pivetta (0-1) was strong early but faltered once through the order, surrendering the decisive long balls. Bettors eyeing postseason value should note Chicago’s knack for clutch hitting and bullpen reliability, key metrics in evaluating MLB scores and odds during tight playoff games.

Handicapper Spotlight – MLB

• Al Grant: Set the pace with a 7-2 record (77.8%), banking +$600. A strong mix of consistency and profit.
• Computer Picks: Hit at an 85.7% clip (6-1), locking in +$490 net profit. Sharp efficiency on selective plays.
• Gino De Luca: Went 5-2 (71.4%) across seven wagers for a solid +$350 week. Reliable mid-volume edge.
• Sas Insider: Pushed volume hard with 37 plays, finishing 20-17 for +$337 net profit. A grinder’s output.
• Coach Rick: Closed the week at 6-3 (66.7%), turning in +$325. Balanced returns with winning consistency.

These handicappers showed how both high-volume grinders and selective sharps can deliver profit. For bettors looking to sharpen their own postseason plays, dive into our MLB expert betting guide for strategies that align with these winning approaches.

Red Sox Stun Yankees Late

In the Bronx, the Boston Red Sox flipped the script late to take Game 1 of their AL wild-card series with a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees.

Boston trailed until the seventh inning, when pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida delivered a go-ahead, two-run single off reliever Luke Weaver (0-1). Alex Bregman added insurance with an RBI double in the ninth. Starter Garrett Crochet (1-0) was outstanding, striking out 11 over 7 2/3 innings while limiting New York to just one run on four hits.

Yankees ace Max Fried was nearly untouchable, spinning 6 1/3 scoreless frames with six strikeouts before the bullpen faltered. Anthony Volpe’s solo home run in the second inning provided New York’s only offense. The loss underscores the razor-thin margin of error in October baseball, and bettors tracking postseason swings can lean on insights from MLB picks to spot underdog value in series openers.