2020 MLB Playoffs: Braves vs. Dodgers, Astros vs. Rays odds and picks

The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to even their NLCS with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday evening. As that game reaches the late innings, the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros will commence Game 3 of the ALCS, in which the Rays lead 2-0. Here are our best bets for each contest.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:05 p.m. ET, FS1

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw has been working hard to change the negative narrative regarding his postseason play. The outcome of Game 2 looks like a coin-flip, but it would not be surprising to see him and Braves starter Ian Anderson trade a lot of zeros in this one.

Kershaw produced one of his finest playoff outings in the Wild Card round against the Brewers, striking out 13 over eight scoreless innings. He followed that up with a quality start (three earned runs over six innings) against the Padres. Atlanta was able to break through against Blake Treinen in Game 1, but the Dodgers bullpen has been solid in the playoffs thus far.

Anderson, a 22-year-old rookie, has pitched 11 2/3 scoreless innings over his first two postseason starts for the Braves. He’ll have the advantage of having never faced these Dodger hitters before. Atlanta’s bullpen added another three scoreless innings in Game 1, lowering their postseason ERA to a scant 0.39.

MLB pick: Under

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros, 8:40 p.m. ET, TBS

The Astros have out-hit the Rays 19-10 in the first two games of the ALCS, yet find themselves in an 0-2 hole heading into Game 3. Perhaps their luck will change on Tuesday night.

Jose Urquidy gets the ball for Houston, attempting to shake off a rough start in the ALDS against the A’s (four solo home runs allowed in 4 1/3 innings). However, he was sharp in 4 1/3 innings of work against the Twins in the Wild Card round, allowing just one earned run. The Rays – who have plated a mere nine runs over their last four games – will be getting their first-ever look at Urquidy in this one, which plays to the pitcher’s advantage. He’s backed by a bullpen that has a 2.20 ERA in these playoffs.

Ryan Yarbrough has been restricted to mop-up duty thus far in the 2020 MLB Playoffs. It remains to be seen how many innings he’ll eat today. Tampa’s bullpen has been burdened with 39 1/3 innings of work thus far, over 10 innings more than the Astros. Yarbrough must be wary of Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, who’s batting .423 in the postseason with five home runs, one of which he hit in Game 2.

MLB pick: Astros moneyline