MLB Playoff picks: Best bets for NLDS Game 3s

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Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies first five -0.5 (+105 DraftKings)

With the pitching matchup on deck for Game 3, we're rolling with the Phillies to jump out to an early lead.

Aaron Nola has been lights out over the last month, and he's given up just three earned runs in 17 innings pitched at home in the postseason. That includes a start against the Braves last year in which he surrendered one unearned run and stuck out six in five innings. Bryce Elder, on the other hand, should struggle in his first career playoff start in the most raucous environment in baseball. 

Nick Castellanos over 1.5 total bases (+115 FanDuel)

Castellanos could be in for a big night in Game 3. The Phillies right fielder already has two doubles in the postseason, and he was a foot away from a home run in the final at-bat of Game 2. Now he gets to face Elder, whom Castellanos has hit two home runs against in only five career ABs. He could cash this ticket with one swing.

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks

Dodgers moneyline (-126 FD)

The 100-win Dodgers aren't going to get swept out of the playoffs, are they? Not with this pitching matchup, they won't. In two starts against the Dodgers this season, Brandon Pfaadt gave up 14 hits and nine earned runs in 8.2 innings. L.A. won both of those games by a combined score of 12-4. 

If nothing else, the Dodgers lineup should be able to put up some runs against the rookie starter. It will all be up to Lance Lynn, who went 3-0 over his last four starts in the regular season and dropped his ERA from 6.09 to 5.73 over that span. This series is going to a Game 4.

Brandon Pfaadt over 3.5 Ks (-110 DK)

Pfaadt may not last long in Game 3, but that won't keep him from racking up some strikeouts early on. The rookie went only 2.2 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in his first career postseason start, and he still recorded four Ks in the game.

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Going back to the regular season, Pfaadt has gone over 3.5 Ks in 12 straight starts. He also struck out at least four batters in each of his two starts against the Dodgers despite struggling to keep them off the bases.