MLB Playoff Predictions - Los Angeles teams aim to protect home field

Online betting fans got their first taste of baseball action yesterday, and now we’re on to Day 2 of October. While the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels get their series started tonight, the Dodgers will look to take a two game lead on the Cardinals. Let’s take a closer look at the pitching matchups.

MLB Playoff Predictions: Cardinals, Dodgers Set For Pitcher’s Duel Lester: 7-2, 2.18 ERA after the All-Star Break Kershaw had a 1.83 ERA at home this season Red Sox 9-1 in last nine playoff games against Angels

Tonight, 6:07 p.m. ET
Cardinals vs Dodgers odds: Cardinals -118
Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63 ERA) vs Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79 ERA)

Sportsbook odds makers have made the Cardinals a slight favorite in this contest, and it has to be because of Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw was actually the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher down the stretch, but he is only 21 years old and you can bet the nerves will be going in his first ever playoff start. While the Cardinals did come up short in Game 1, they also left a ton of runners on base and got a very poor outing from Chris Carpenter. Look for Wainright to pitch much better tonight and lead the Cardinals to a win. Wainwright was 12-1 on the road this year.

Cardinals vs Dodgers Betting Edge: Cardinals

Tonight, 9:37 p.m. ET
Red Sox vs Angels odds: -110 both ways
Jon Lester (15-8, 3.41 ERA) vs John Lackey (11-8, 3.83 ERA)

The Los Angeles Angels will try to exorcise some playoff demons as they face the Boston Red Sox once more. The Red Sox have dominated the Angels in their last few meetings and are 9-1 against them in their last 10 playoff meetings.

The Angels have more hitting this year, but will it carry over into the playoffs? They no longer have a stud in the lineup but they have more of a team-oriented batting approach. If some of their batters go cold, they won’t win this series. Look for them to get a big win tonight and get ahead of the Red Sox.

Red Sox vs Angels Betting Edge: Angels

For daily sports betting insight through the MLB playoffs, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge.

Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com's MLB expert.