The October drama is already here as we hit Game 2 of the Wild Card Round. With four elimination games on the slate, every pitch and bullpen call matters. Let’s break down each matchup with the Raymond Report system – factoring in C.O.W., VI, streaks, and days rest.

Detroit Tigers (88-75) at Cleveland Guardians (88-74)

Pitching Matchup: Casey Mize (DET) vs Tanner Bibee (CLE)

Last Game: Tigers edged Cleveland 2-1 in Game 1 (Skubal vs Williams).
Trends: Detroit is on a 6-game Under streak, while Cleveland has gone 3-6-1 O/U in their last 10.
SOS: Tigers have faced the tougher road (63% SOS L7G vs CLE 36%).
Edge: Cleveland opened as a short favorite (-132), banking on Bibee’s home edge.
Raymond Report Lean: Low total (6.5) fits with the trends. Slight lean Under 7 with Cleveland to bounce back at home.

San Diego Padres (90-73) at Chicago Cubs (93-70)

Pitching Matchup: Dylan Cease (SDP) vs Shota Imanaga (CHC)

Last Game: Cubs took Game 1, 3-1 behind Matthew Boyd’s gem.
Streaks: Padres have been hot (7-3 L10) but cooled off yesterday. Cubs are riding a 4-game win streak, keyed by strong pitching (2 Unders in a row).
C.O.W.: Cubs only 31.5% → market might overvalue the streak.
Edge: Both pitchers are strikeout artists; Imanaga has dominated at Wrigley.
Raymond Report Lean: Under 7.5 feels live again. Cubs have bullpen momentum but Padres are a dangerous bounce-back team.

Boston Red Sox (90-73) at New York Yankees (94-69)

Pitching Matchup: Brayan Bello (BOS) vs Carlos Rodón (NYY)

Last Game: Red Sox shocked the Yanks 3-1, led by Crochet.
Streaks: Yankees are still on an 8-2 L10 run, with unders cashing (3-7 O/U). Sox have quietly won 2 in a row.
VI & Market: Yankees are -181 chalk with Rodón – betting market still trusts them at home.
Raymond Report Lean: If Bello keeps the ball down, Sox can hang. But Yankee bats usually respond. Over 7.5 has value if either arm cracks early.

Cincinnati Reds (82-80) at Los Angeles Dodgers (94-69)

Pitching Matchup: Zack Littell (CIN) vs Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)

Last Game: Dodgers blasted the Reds 10-5, led by Snell.
Streaks: LAD has won 6 straight, while Reds have dropped 2 in a row. Reds also a brutal 2-6 O/U L10.
SOS: Dodgers have faced the softer road, but Yamamoto is in ace form.
Raymond Report Lean: Dodgers are heavy -281 chalk, but total (8) could be tight. Lean Dodgers -1.5 RL rather than paying the juice.

📊 ATS STATS “Lean” Summary

Best Value Total: Tigers/Guardians Under 7
Best Underdog Lean: Padres to even the series (Cease in a must-win spot)
Best Chalk Play: Dodgers -1.5 RL