By Ryan Gilbert
MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props #1: Looking at Luis
Luis Garcia (HOU) over 4.5 strikeouts (-130 @ Unibet) vs. TB
This line is insultingly low for Luis Garcia. The Astros righthander has more strikeouts (143) than innings pitched (140.1) this season and that hasn’t slowed down much recently with 11 Ks in 12 innings in September.
Garcia has gone over 4.5 strikeouts in a whopping 75% of his starts this season (18 of 24). He only had four strikeouts last time out against the Angels, but the Rays have the seventh-highest strikeout rate against RHP this season.
Garcia hasn’t pitched against Tampa Bay this season, but racked up six strikeouts against them late last year.
The righthander averages 5.7 strikeouts per start this season. In fact, he’s gone over 5.5 strikeouts in over half of his starts (13 of 24). This is a prop to hammer at -130 and look to ladder as well at over 5.5 and potentially over 6.5 — he struck out seven against the Angels two starts ago.
MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props #2: Jakob with a K
Jakob Junis (SF) over 3.5 strikeouts (-168 @ FanDuel) vs. COL
This is another really low strikeout line for a pitcher that hasn’t had trouble getting strikeouts recently. He has 4+ strikeouts in three straight starts and five of his last six, racking up a total of 29 Ks in those six starts.
Junis may only have 85 strikeouts in 97.2 innings this season, but we only need him to get four strikeouts tonight. He did that and then some with a six-strikeout performance at Coors Field back in August.
The Rockies strike out the 15th-most overall and sixth-most over the last 30 days against right-handed pitchers.
Junis has 5+ strikeouts in 8 of 19 starts and 6+ in four of those, so take a look at laddering him as well.
MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props #3: Mad Max
Max Scherzer (NYM) over 5.5 strikeouts (-160 @ BetMGM) vs. MIL
I’m sorry, what? I know Scherzer is returning from injury but his strikeout line needs to be higher than this. In fact, it is on some sportsbooks so take advantage of this lower line.
Scherzer has 6+ strikeouts in 16 of his 20 starts this season, including 7+ in 12, 8+ in 10, and double-digit in six outings.
The Brewers don’t strike out a ton but Gerrit Cole did just get eight strikeouts against them. Scherzer is going to be pumped up coming off the IL and hit this line with ease.
