When they zig, we zag. Considering it's Gerrit Cole going against Max Scherzer tonight, the entire world is on the Under, and pushed it down from 7 to 6.5. Well, since 2010, there have been 31 World Series games with a total of 7 or lower. The Over has gone 19-11-1 in those games, and last I checked, the Nats bullpen is still the Nats bullpen.

Max Scherzer is 11-7 with a 2.92 ERA this season and he is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in the postseason. Gerrit Cole is 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA this season and he has a 0.40 ERA in three postseason starts. Both pitchers should be able to get deep into the game. If the Nats are winning in either Game 1 or Game 2, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Patrick Corbin out of the bullpen. They have the flexibility to throw Anibal Sanchez in Game 3, and they need to take one in Houston. There is way too much value in this line to not take the Nationals, and I have a feeling the lines will be like this all series.

I couldn’t resist this Nationals price. I got baited into a bet, but I feel justified. I know the Astros have won Gerrit Cole’s last 16 starts and he's allowed one run or fewer in eight of his last nine, but I think Max Scherzer -- currently in classic form -- can match him and make this game about the bullpens. The price itself is 25 cents too high to begin with, so yes, I’m on the Nats in Game 1.

Max Scherzer missed a month from July to late August and got knocked around a bit when he came back. But in his last two playoff starts he’s looked better than ever, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 18 over 14.0 innings. Gerrit Cole isn’t going to give up much either, and Scherzer’s last three starts have stayed Under the total. Under is the top play in Game 1.