The set-up: LA is looking to win a sixth consecutive NL West title, but to do that it's going to have to knock off the Rockies in the Wild Card. The visitors hand the ball to the competent German Marquez, and the home side goes with the competent Walker Buehler.

The pitchers: Marquez finished the regular season 14-10 with a 3.76 ERA. He threw well against LA this year, posting a 2.57 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 21 frames of work. Marquez has been better on the road than at home, but note that no matter where he's been, he's been poor in all "day" games, coming in with the sub-par 4-6, 5.16 ERA record.

Buehler finished 7-5 with a 2.56 ERA. Since July 31st he's posted a tiny 1.70 ERA over 11 starts (one of which included a 12 strikeout game against these very Rockies!) Over five starts this year against Colorado Buehler comes in with the elite 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP record.

The pick: I don't think that friendly confines can be overlooked as a deciding factor here, as note that LA is 7-2 in its last nine National League day home games in which it's a favorite in the -150 to -175 range. Play on the Dodgers.