@AlanAD62's AL & NL Divisional Series Winner Parlay - 10/11

As I sit here writing my first article for Flashpicks.com, I reflect on how much the game of baseball has meant to me in the past 50+ years of following it beginning as a young kid in Richmond, Va. attending AAA Richmond Braves games.

Fast forward to MLB 2022. The big Braves (Atlanta) open Tuesday afternoon in ATL in the best of five NLDS vs. the Phillies. The Braves own the regular season head-to-head battle 11-8 while ranking 2nd in MLB in home runs, and 3rd in MLB in runs scored. As of this writing, the Braves are set with Fried, Wright, and either Morton or Strider for game 3. Strider has been battling an oblique injury since Sept. 18, and we may see him in a relief role as well. Strider has a 4-0 record and 1.27 ERA vs. the Phillies this year. The Phillies are scheduled to start lefty Ranger Suarez in game 1 (3.21 ERA in 5 games vs. Braves), with Wheeler on normal rest for game 2, and Nola on extra rest for game 3.

The Braves are the defending WS Champions. They have the depth and experience to win this series.

On the AL side, the Astros own the series season head-to-head with the Mariners 12-7, and have scored ten runs or more against the Mariners in four of those games. The Astros have reached the ALCS five consecutive years and this streak should continue for 2022. Although Castillo, Gilbert, and Kirby are formidable, the Astros have Verlander and Valdez for Games 1 and 2, and plenty of other pitchers with playoff experience and depth.

The Astros are the defending AL Champions. I expect their pitching and hitting to be on full display and be just too much for the Mariners to overcome.