John Bollman's Bet of the Day - 10/3

We have exactly three days left in the MLB regular season, so I want to get one more regular season play out for yall, then save the rest of my articles for the first ever Wild Card weekend series this weekend. The regular season would have been over by now had it not been for the lockout in the offseason. For those unaware, the MLB season was delayed by a week this season because of a lockout between the owners and players. Those games were rescheduled throughout the season, with one series being placed at the end of the season for each team causing the last day of the regular season to be on a Wednesday instead of a Sunday for the first time since I can remember. There are also four teams with doubleheaders on Tuesday in order to fit all the scheduled games in the season. That means every team is playing at least three more games to end the season this week, which means we have a full slate of action on a Monday instead of the usual few games to pick from.

The Atlanta Braves dismantled the New York Mets in their last series, sweeping them at home to take a 2-game lead in the NL East over the Mets. They also won the tiebreaker by sweeping that series, so they are essentially 2.5 games up on the Mets with three games to play. Yes, technically they don’t need to even win again to clinch the NL East, they could also clinch with just one Mets loss in these next three games. However, I think they want to clinch with a win tonight and control their own destiny. I think they ride the momentum from their last series to win tonight and clinch the NL East.

Bryce Elder is starting for the Braves tonight and he has actually pitched really well whenever he has started. He also pitched a complete game shutout last time out against the Nationals. Jesus Luzardo has also been pitching really well, but the Marlins have lost eight starts in a row behind him. The Braves also hit lefties a lot better than they do righties. The Braves have a massive bullpen advantage, their bullpen has been absolutely dominant lately.

I like the Braves to clinch with a win before they give their guys the week off to get ready for the NLDS.