2024 MLB Playoffs Wild Card Round Betting Guide – Tips, Picks, Future Outlook

The 2024 MLB Playoffs are here, beginning with the Wild Card Round – four best-of-three showdowns – all taking place at the location of the higher seed.

The two division winners in each league with the best record (Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Guardians) will all get a chance to rest their starters and prepare their rotations for the next round, where they will face off against the winners of the below The series listed begins this Saturday.

For more information about the MLB playoffs, check out team odds to win the World Series and favorites to win postseason MVP.

All odds are correct at the time of publication. For more information, visit ESPN BET.

New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers

American Family Field, Milwaukee; Game 1, Tuesday, 5:32 p.m. ET

• Match 1 line: Mets +1.5 (-180), Brewers -1.5 (+150)

• Game 1 Money Line: Mets +120, Brewers -145

• Game 1 O/U: 7.5 Runs, Over (Even)/Under (-120)

• Series line: Mets (+115), Brewers (-135)

• Series result: Mets sweep (+320), Mets in 3 (+290), Brewers in 3 (+250), Brewers sweep (+190)

Zola's choice: The availability of RHP Luis Severino for Game 1 is crucial for the Mets, bringing the series close to a tossup, reflected in the tightest odds of the four series. However, three games at American Family Field makes me lean towards beating the Brewers in three games.

Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres

Petco Park, San Diego; Game 1, Tuesday, 8:38 p.m. ET

• Match 1 line: Braves +1.5 (-165), Padres -1.5 (+140)

• Game 1 Money Line: Braves +140, Padres -165

• Game 1 O/U: 6.5 Runs, Over (-135)/Under (+115)

• Series line: Braves (+150), Padres (-190)

• Series result: Braves sweep (+400), Braves in 3 (+325), Padres in 3 (+210), Padres sweep (+160)

Zola's choice: The Padres would have been the clear favorite even if Braves LHP Chris Sale was healthy. Atlanta deserves credit for getting this far despite all its injuries, but San Diego will prevail, and likely with a win.

Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros

Minute Maid Park, Houston; Game 1, Tuesday, 2:32 p.m. ET

• Match 1 line: Tigers +1.5 (-190), Astros -1.5 (+160)

• Game 1 Money Line: Tigers +130, Astros -155

• Game 1 O/U: 6.5 Runs, Over (-105)/Under (-115)

• Series line: Tigers (+160), Astros (-190)

• Series result: Tigers sweep (+400), Tigers in 3 (+375), Astros in 3 (+170), Astros sweep (+180)

Zola's choice: Astros in three, although a sweep wouldn't be surprising. Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal is too good to bet against, but after that, the Astros' pitching depth gives them a big advantage over the Tigers.

Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore; Game 1, Tuesday, 4:08 p.m. ET

• Match 1 line: Royals +1.5 (-165), Orioles -1.5 (+140)

• Game 1 Money Line: Royals (+130), Orioles (-155)

• Game 1 O/U: 6.5 Runs, Over (-130)/Under (+110)

• Series line: Royals (+150), Orioles (-180)

• Series result: Royals sweep (+400), Royals in 3 (+325), Orioles in 3 (+190), Orioles sweep (+170)

Zola's choice: Upset Special! I like the Royals with three, but a sweep is possible here too. Royals LHP Cole Ragans fits well with Orioles RHP Corbin Burnes. After that, the matches are balanced, although not in the Royals' favor. Baltimore has home field advantage, but the Royals are built for the way Camden Yards plays now.