Where to Watch Yankees vs. Guardians: TV Channels, ALCS Game 3 Predictions, Live Stream, 2024 MLB Playoff Odds

We've reached a point in the calendar where the number of days with multiple baseball games is dwindling. In fact, two more are guaranteed and we won't get more than three two-day games. But we have a pair of LCS matchups on Thursday — starting with the Yankees vs. the Guardians — so let's cherish it.

Mets-Dodgers Game 4 is the night cap, but here's the viewing information for the first MLB postseason game of the day.

Where to watch Yankees vs. Guardians Game 3

Date: Thursday, October 17 | Time: 5:08 pm ET
Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland)
TV Channels: TBS, TruTV | Live stream: max
Potential pitchers: RHP Clark Schmidt (NY) vs LHP Matthew Boyd (CLE)
Odds: CLE -110, NYY -110 | O/U: 7.0

And if you're looking to get those baseball bets while you can before the long, cold winter? Let's take a look at the best bets for Thursday's pair of games As for me, I went 2-0 on Wednesday After a bit of a warm spell, so let's keep the good times rolling.

RHP Clark Schmidt vs. LHP Matthew Boyd

Schmidt was hurt briefly this year and pitched to a 3.65 ERA in his five regular-season starts after returning. In his only playoff start to this point, he lasted 4 2/3 innings against the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four. He faced the Guardians on April 13 and gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits in five innings. He struck out seven but walked five.

Boyd was picked up by guardians from the scrap heap in late June. He had a 2.72 ERA in eight starts. He hasn't allowed a run thus far in the playoffs. In his 6 2/3 innings, he gave up five hits and three walks while striking out 10. The only complaint anyone had about him was that his manager was pulling him too early. The Yankees scored three runs in 5 1/3 innings against him on August 20th.

I'd like to zero in on something aggressive though.

The plays: Jose Ramirez over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-105) and Aaron Judge over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-125)

Both three-hole hitters in this series struggled mightily in the playoffs heading into Game 2. They've had a lackluster start to their entire career in the playoffs, but it got worse when we zeroed in on 2024. Both hit home runs in their last game. Game 2 had at-bats and several other good swings.

I'm going with the assumption that both perform as if their minds clear as soon as their homers clear the outfield wall.

Ramirez is a much better hitter at home and is 3 for 8 with a double and three RBIs in his career against Schmitt. He also got some good looks from key Yankees pitchers, including a home run off the closer, Luke Weaver.

Judge slugged .735 against lefties this season and hit a home run against Boyd on August 20 this season.

RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. LHP Jose Quintana

Yamamoto missed a large portion of the season with a shoulder injury and returned in September. He made four starts with varying levels of success to finish the regular season. He lost to the Padres in Game 1 of the NLDS, but then threw five scoreless, two-hit innings in Game 5, picking up the win in the clincher. The Mets saw him on April 19 and held him to four runs (three earned) on seven hits in six innings. He struck out nine.

Quintana closed the regular season with a 0.74 ERA over his last six starts. So far in the playoffs, he's thrown 11 innings with just six hits and one run allowed. And that one run was earned. He struck out 11. Basically, he is a stretch of dominant pitching. The Dodgers faced him on May 28, allowing three runs on eight hits in six innings.

The play: Mets +114

I like how dominant Quintana has been recently and it sure doesn't seem like Yamamoto can get too deep into the game. The Dodgers' bullpen can certainly be great, but I also have a gut feeling that the Mets are going to bounce back. Maybe it's just the way it was fresh in my mind in games 1 and 2, sure. Maybe it's because the Mets have bounced back and forth since early June, and the thought of them being on the brink of elimination makes me cringe.

Regardless, I like the plus money here and felt like I would have taken the Mets anyway in a pick-'em situation.