Ricky Dimon
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We are continuing the week in Major League Baseball with a 13-game slate on Thursday, and there is no doubt about today’s headline. It is the Field of Dreams game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, played in none other than the corn fields of Iowa.
Let’s take a look at our two best prop bets for Thursday’s action, one on the pitching side of things and the other one—part of the Field of Dreams game—at the plate.
Jose Berrios Over 6.5 strikeouts (-110)
Asking Berrios to reach the 7-strikeout mark really isn’t too much, especially when you can get it at reasonable -110 odds. One of the most coveted assets at the trade deadline, Berrios is 8-5 with a 3.23 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 133.2 innings this season. The Minnesota Twins shipped him off to the Toronto Blue Jays last month, and he has not slowed down. In two starts with his new team, Berrios is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA (one run allowed in 12.0 innings of work). In those first 12.0 innings with the Jays, the 27-year-old right-hander recorded 13 strikeouts. He has fanned at least 7 batters in 4 of his last 6 starts—including 10 once and 8 on two other occasions.
Up next for Berrios is a showdown against Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels. Yes, Ohtani will be at the plate and also on the mound on Thursday. The Angels are in the middle of the pack in Major League Baseball when it comes to strikeouts, with 989 for the year. They may not reach the 1,000 mark by the end of Thursday’s action, but they could be close. Los Angeles has scored only 2 total runs in its current 2-game losing streak and has struck out 17 times in the last 16 innings.
Check out our full game preview for Blue Jays vs Angels
Brett Gardner to get a hit (-155)
The -155 juice on Gardner simply to get one hit is not a lot. New York’s veteran left fielder is riding a 5-game hitting streak, which includes a multi-hit performance against the Kansas City Royals on Monday. He is batting .320 in the month of August. Chicago right-hander Lance Lynn is taking the mound in this Field of Dreams showdown. Although he is no easy task for any hitter, it’s good news for Gardner that Lynn is a righty. In each of the last three seasons (this one included), the left-handed 37-year-old has compiled a better average against RHPs than LHPs. Look for Gardner’s hitting streak to continue.
Check out our full game preview for White Sox vs Yankees
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