By Ryan Gilbert
MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props #1: Marching with Martin
Martin Perez (TEX) over 4.5 strikeouts (-152 @ FanDuel) vs. TB
It’s always a good day to bet strikeouts when Perez is on the mound. He’s gone over 4.5 strikeouts in 22 of his 28 starts this season, including six straight, 11 of 12, and 20 of his last 23 overall.
In fact, he’s gone over 5.5 strikeouts in four of his last six starts and seven of 11 as well.
The Rays are one of the better teams in the league in terms of strikeout rate against LHP, but Perez got five against them in his only matchup this season. We rode Stripling against them on Wednesday and we’re riding Perez tonight.
MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props #2: Power Ranger
Ranger Suarez (PHI) over 3.5 strikeouts (-196 @ FanDuel) vs. ATL
Ranger Suarez may not be that powerful, but he’s done enough to make me confident that he’ll get up to four strikeouts tonight. He’s hit the four-strikeout mark in a staggering 20 of 25 starts this season, including in each of his last 11 outings!
Suarez has started thrice against Atlanta this season. He had four strikeouts in two of those starts and seven in the other, so he’s consistently gotten us to 4+ strikeouts both overall and against Atlanta this season.
If -196 is too much juice for you, consider it a parlay piece for a same-game parlay with Max Fried over 4.5 strikeouts (-230) to get to a +115 parlay.
MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props #3: K’s vs. A’s
Justin Verlander over 5.5 strikeouts (-134 @ FanDuel) vs. OAK
Verlander is returning from the IL tonight to make his first start since suffering a calf injury on August 28th. He has a relatively easy matchup against the A’s, who he’s picked up six and 10 strikeouts against in two starts this season.
Overall, Verlander has had 6+ strikeouts in 14 of 24 starts this year. He had 6+ Ks in seven of his last 10 starts, including two 10-strikeout outings, as well as a 9, 8, and 7.
Verlander is the Cy Young favorite for a reason and he should be able to rack up the Ks against the lowly A’s.
