2010 MLB Playoffs NLDS Game 1: Braves vs. Giants Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
When they host the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the NLDS tonight, it’ll be the first time since 2004 that the San Francisco Giants were in the postseason. Read on for a prediction of tonight’s MLB playoff game.
Before we hand out a free pick, let’s take a look at the current odds.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com has the Giants listed as –153 money line favorites to beat the Braves in Game 1. Atlanta is +143 and the run total has been set at 6.5.
Tim Lincecum will toe the rubber for the Giants tonight and his club has been very successful in his recent starts. San Fran is 5-1 in Lincecum’s last six outings and 4-1 in his last five starts when he has seven or more days of rest.
That bodes well against a Braves team that is just 1-4 in their last five games as an underdog and 1-4 in their last five road outings when they face a right-hander. They’re also 1-4 in their last five playoff games and 1-4 in their last five Divisional Playoff games.
That said, Atlanta has been tough to beat when Derek Lowe is on the mound. They’re 6-0 in his last six starts and 4-1 in his last five outings after allowing five runs or more in their previous game.
But this prediction will be made in the head-to-head battles between these two teams. The Giants are 4-0 in Lincecum’s last four home starts against the Braves, who are 1-6 in the last seven meetings with the G-Men in San Francisco. The Giants should be plenty fired up for their first playoff game in six years and there’s no doubt Lincecum could dominate this Atlanta lineup if he settles in early and doesn’t get behind hitters (something that troubled him in the month of August).
2010 NLDS Game 1 Pick & Prediction: SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS –153