Arizona Diamondback vs. Milwaukee Brewers Betting Preview, Odds & Prediction, 10–3–2023
Free MLB Playoff Pick Provided by Scott Allen Stanley of Documented Handicappers
The NL Wild Card Series begins with a battle between the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks, on Tuesday at 7:08 PM ET in Milwaukee. The Diamondbacks will give the nod to Brandon Pfaadt (3–9, 5.72 ERA) while the Brewers will counter with Corbin Burners (10–8, 3.39 ERA) in the best-of-three series.
Arizona vs. Milwaukee Game Info
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Time: 7:08 PM ET
Channel: ESPN2
Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Spread: Arizona +1.5, Milwaukee -1.5
Moneyline: Arizona +154, Milwaukee -184
Total: 8
Just get in and anything can happen. That is how Arizona must approach Game 1 on the road as they enter this series on a four-game losing streak after getting swept by the Astros to finish the season. The Diamondbacks were one of the hottest teams heading into the All-Star break with a 52–39 record but they benefited from the Chicago Cubs collapse to sneak into the postseason. The Diamondbacks were 41–40 on the road this season and they will ask one of their top pitching young prospects to lead them on the road in Game 1. Pfaadt recorded a 5.72 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP accompanied by a 3–9 record in 96 innings. The rookie will lean on the offense which scored an average of 4.60 runs per game, ranking them 14th in MLB led by Corbin Carroll, Christian Walker, and Ketel Marte. Corbin Carroll led the Diamondbacks with a .285 batting average, while Christian Walker led the team with 33 home runs and 103 RBI.
Milwaukee, appearing in the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons, was 27–13 over its final 40 games and won the NL Central. The Brewers played well at home this season with a 49–32 record anchored by their pitching and possibly the best bullpen in the majors. Milwaukee is averaging 4.49 runs per game while allowing 3.99 runs per game with opponents hitting .226 against them which is good for best in baseball. Milwaukee will lean on 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes in Game 1. Burnes wasn’t his dominant self in 2023 but the Brewers were 16–9 in his starts this season as the favorite. The key for the Brewers will be to get after the rookie pitcher early and into the weakened Diamondbacks bullpen. Milwaukee is 46–11 when hitting 2 or more home runs in a game and a 73–11 record in games this season when it scored at least five runs.
Milwaukee has played consistently well all season and features the top bullpen in baseball. The Brewers have stumbled in the playoffs in recent years but the key to this matchup is experience. This will be Arizona’s first trip to the playoffs since 2017 and the first time for most of these players. Milwaukee has experience within its lineup, starting rotation, and bullpen which gives them an edge on top of playing at home where they won 49 games. Arizona has shown glimpses of turning into a good ball club but their pitching has held them back this season. They are relying on a rookie to pitch Game 1 on the road which could be a large ask. My lean is on Milwaukee -1.5 as I expect their experience to pay dividends in Game 1 vs. an inexperienced Diamondbacks squad.
Diamondbacks vs. Brewers NL Wild Card Pick: Brewers -1.5
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