2024 MLB Playoffs Division Series Round Betting Guide – Props, Tips, Futures

The 2024 MLB Division Series round is here and four best-of-five showdowns are just around the corner. In each series, Games 1, 2 and 5 (if required) take place at the home stadium of the division winner, who earned a bye to that playoff round.

Check back every day to see the latest odds for each game as well as a few betting tips on some of the side bets available in each competition.

For more information on the MLB playoffs, check out each team's World Series odds here.

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

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians

The series was tied 1-1

• Series line: Tiger (-110), Guardian (-110)

• Series result: Tiger in 4 (+280), Tiger in 5 (+260)

• Series result: Guardian in 4 (+230), Guardian in 5 (+290)

Zola's series selection: Playoff baseball is fascinating because it's harder to score runs, but the winning teams tend to hit more home runs. The Guardians' offense is ideal for this scenario, and the Guardians have mastered their pitching as well as any team in the postseason. However, they face Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal in Game 2, so predicting a sweep is aggressive. I also expect the Guardians to win both games in Motown, but that's my goal. I avoid simply betting on the Guardians to beat the Tigers and win it in four games (+400).

Game 1: Guardians 7, Tigers 0

Game 2: Tigers 3, Guardians 0

Game 3: Comerica Park, Detroit, Wednesday, October 9, 3:08 p.m. (TBS)

• Running line for game 3: Guardian -1.5 (+160), Tiger +1.5 (-180)

• Game 3 Money Line: Guardian -110, Tiger -110

• Game 3 O/U: 7.5 Runs, Over (+120)/Under (-145)

Zola's tips

• The Guardians will give the nod to RHP Alex Cobb, while the Tigers will counter with an opener and a primary pitcher for which they have several combinations to choose from. Cobb's leash will undoubtedly be short, so this game should once again be decided by the bullpens. The Tigers' substitutes were well positioned down the stretch, but the Guardians enjoyed the advantage. I'm picking the Guardians to take a 2-1 lead and will bet on the money line.

• As in Game 1, the Tigers will likely mix up their pitchers' handedness and put the spotlight on Guardians switch-hitting 3B Jose Ramirez. Give me Ramirez to reach 1.5 bases total (+120).

Game 4: Comerica Park, Detroit, Thursday, October 10, 6:08 p.m. (TBS)

*Game 5: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Saturday, October 12, TBD, (TBS)

New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Mets lead the series 2-1

• Series line: Mets (-260), Phillies (+210)

• Series result: Mets in 4 (-105), Mets in 5 (+320)

• Series result: Phillies in 5 (+210)

Zola's series selection: The Phillies are one of the few teams with three solid starting pitchers, although their bullpen is suspect. The Phillies are favored over the Mets and they are my pick moving forward. The safe route is simply to pick the Phillies to win the series. However, I'll be more adventurous and bet on the Phillies to win in four games (+300).

Game 1: Mets 6, Phillies 2

Game 2: Phillies 7, Mets 6

Game 3: Mets 7, Phillies 2

Game 4: Citi Field, New York, Wednesday, October 9, 5:08 p.m. (FOX/FS1)

• Running line for game 4: Phillies -1.5 (+150), Mets +1.5 (-180)

• Game 4 Money Line: Phillies -115, Mets -105

• Game 4 O/U: 7.5 Runs, Over (-105)/Under (-115)

Zola's tips

• The chances are still good for the Phillies, even in an elimination game on the road. Philadelphia's offense is in a rut, so this pick comes with some concern, but I'm staying the course and picking the Phillies (and the money line) to send the series back to the City of Brotherly Love.

• LHP Ranger Suarez is expected to start for the Phillies. He struggled in September, but by August Suarez struck out 128 batters in 128 1/3 innings. The lefty will be on a short leash, but I still trust Suarez to manage more than 3.5 strikeouts overall (+110).

*Game 5: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Friday, October 11, TBD, (FOX/FS1)

Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees

The series was tied 1-1

• Series line: Royals (+135), Yankees (-160)

• Series result: Royals in 4 (+300), Royals in 5 (+400)

• Series result: Yankees in 4 (+220), Yankees in 5 (+200)

Zola's series selection: Of the four division series, this is the hardest for me to handicap. The odds vary as the Yankees are the biggest favorite in this round. My problem is that the Yankees' pitching, on paper should be better than the Royals, but there are a lot of question marks in New York's rotation while the Royals are healthy and going. The Yankees' bats should be better than their counterparts, but they are powered by home runs, and the Royals' staff threw the fewest long balls in the MLB. For the second round in a row, the Royals are my surprise moment. I expect them to win the series, but I'll also hedge a little by saying the series will last five games (+170).

Game 1: Yankees 6, Royals 5

Game 2: Royals 4, Yankees 2

Game 3: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Wednesday, October 9, 7:08 p.m. (TBS)

• Running line for game 3: Yankees -1.5 (+150), Royals +1.5 (-180)

• Game 3 Money Line: Yankees -115, Royals -105

• Game 3 O/U: 7.5 Runs, Over (-125)/Under (+105)

Zola's tips

• Nothing happened in the first two games to stop me from wanting the Royals to upset the Yankees. Royals RHP Seth Lugo hit just 16 home runs in 206 2/3 innings during the regular season and the longball is an integral part of the Yankees' offense. I will support the Royals and the money line.

• Bobby Witt Jr. scored 125 runs in the regular season, third-most in the MLB. All I need is for Witt to step over the plate once. I expect Witt to score more than 0.5 runs scored (-115).

Game 4: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Thursday, October 10, 8:08 p.m., (TBS)

*Game 5: Yankee Stadium, New York, Saturday, October 12, TBD, (TBS)

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers

Padres lead the series 2-1

• Series line: Padres (-375), Dodgers (+290)

• Series result: Padres in 4 (-150), Padres in 5 (+300)

• Series result: Dodgers in 5 (+290)

Zola's series selection: The Dodgers and Padres opened the season in South Korea and now meet to decide who will represent SoCal in the NLCS. The Dodgers finished five games ahead of the Padres in the NL West and are slight favorites. However, the Padres' starting pitching is in much better shape, plus San Diego's bullpen is solid. Since the Padres have a good chance as underdogs, I expect the Padres to win the series while also defeating the Dodgers in four games.

Game 1: Dodgers 7, Padres 5

Game 2: Padres 10, Dodgers 2

Game 3: Padres 6, Dodgers 5

Game 4: Petco Park, San Diego, Wednesday, October 9, 9:08 p.m. (FOX/FS1)

• Running line for game 4: Dodgers +1.5 (-165), Padres -1.5 (+140)

• Game 4 Money Line: Dodgers +125, Padres -150

• Game 4 O/U: 7.5 Runs, Over (-130)/Under (+110)

Zola's tips

• After taking a 2-1 series lead, the Padres are now the World Series favorites. They start RHP Dylan Cease on short rest while the Dodgers counter with a bullpen affair. I expect the Padres to finish the series convincingly, winning over San Diego and the -1.5 run line.

• Padres OF Jurickson Profar set a new personal record with 85 RBI this season. I'm picking him to score at least one run today. The bet is to go over 0.5 total RBI (+180).

*Game 5: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Friday, October 11, TBD, (FOX/FS1)