If I’m being honest, the week is kind of dragging at this point. We’re going to need to dig deep and regain control, and I know the perfect way to do that. Betting MLB player props might be the only thing that can push this week along. Think about it, this world would be way different without bridges. Well this is our bridge to the weekend.
We’ve got day games. We’ve got night games. There is even an insane amount of action on national television. Get this, MLB Network is carrying a triple-header starting with the Nationals/Phillies at 1:05pm ET. Then at 4:07pm ET, they’re tossing out either the Giants/Angels or Rockies/Mariners depending on your market. When they get done, we’re getting the Braves/Mets at 7:10pm ET. That’s crazy, and what’s even crazier is the fact that ESPN is hitting us with the Dodgers/Padres at 10:10pm ET. If we can’t find something to bet today, then what are we doing with our lives? It’s time to gamble!
Don’t forget to check what our MLB analysts have backed with side and total picks for all the games today/tonight. As always, bets can be added to the card, so why not follow me on Twitter in case we get some last-second action? It makes sense.
Kyle Wright over 3.5 strikeouts (-125)
Line available at DraftKings at time of publishing
I wanted some day action but honestly, it’s brutal on the MLB player props streets today. The books are getting sharper and sharper so we need to be careful out there. But with all the sharp lines, DraftKings is giving us one that I think is off. Do I want to pay -125 for this one? No way, but the juice is worth the squeeze here.
Kyle Wright is the kid we all saw strike out seven Miami Marlins in the 2020 NLDS. Forget about the Dodgers’ game in the NLCS for a second. It happens. This kid is only 25 and has a 22.7% strikeout rate in very limited action this season. He is definitely not a 3.5 guy.
Tonight he gets the New York Mets who have struck out more than any other team in MLB over the last seven days. They’ve played eight games in those seven days, but that still puts them at eight strikeouts a game. Their OPS is .508 over that span so it’s not like they are hitting right now. I think Wright can hold them off long enough to get at least four of them to sit down.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets
Thomas Eshelman over 1.5 strikeouts (+130)
Line available at DraftKings at time of publishing
CREDIT – Kim Klement (USA TODAY)
This is either a genius or idiot bet. There’s no in-between here. We’re getting a guy that really doesn’t strike guys out at an insanely low number for a good price. Either we will be geniuses or idiots after this one. I don’t know about you, but I’m in. This is why we bet MLB player props.
There is where I list the “pros” of the pitcher I’m betting but there really isn’t any for Eshelman. He has a 16.7% strikeout rate which is the lowest of anyone I have ever bet. I don’t even know if guys have lower K-rates than that. I will say something nice though, he threw 57 pitches against the Blue Jays on Friday and struck out three. We only need two tonight. He could accidentally do that.
He’s not getting a great target in the Astros. In fact, they are the worst team in MLB to target because no team in MLB has struck out less than they have. They have been tearing the cover off the ball recently too which is bad. Still, over the last seven days, only three teams have struck out more than they have. We may be onto something here.
Here’s how I would play this if I were you and I was watching the game with friends. Don’t say anything about the bet before the game. Wait until he strikes out two guys and then show the ticket. It’s definitely cheap but you’re also betting Thomas Eshelman here. Good luck and pray if you need to before this one.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles
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