Looking at MLB player stats from the regular season can help out for this type of bet, but things also change in the postseason.
The best players tend to step up and rise to the occasion, and looking for the best players is a key on October 7. Here is a good MLB player prop to focus on for both a position player and a starting pitcher.
San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets
NL East Division
The New York Mets blew a huge lead in the NL East Division, and they now have to start the playoffs much earlier than expected. New York will host the San Diego Padres to face a team that struggled in the second half.
New York is the betting favorite to win this series, and they remain a solid pick to win the World Series as well. San Diego should have been a threat to win the NL West Division this season, but they were a mess after the All-Star Break.
The Mets are the betting favorites at -140 in Game 1, but this should be a great pitching matchup. Max Scherzer starts for the Mets, and Yu Darvish will be on the mound for the Padres.
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is the leader of the Mets rotation, and he remains one of the best pitchers in baseball. Scherzer is one player that always seems to make a name for himself in the playoffs.
Scherzer has a history of being dominant in the playoffs, and he had another dominant season. Scherzer finished the season with a record of 11-5 and a 2.29 ERA.
Scherzer at the Stats
The one stat to look at with Scherzer is also strikeouts, and he racked up 173 of them this season.
The Mets could have gone with Jacob DeGrom to start Game 1, but they went with Scherzer based on recent postseason experience.
You can look at alternate strikeout totals anytime Scherzer is on the mound but making the smart pick is the way to go.
MLB Pick: Max Scherzer Over 8.5 Strikeouts (-110)
Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays
AL Wild Card
A pair of AL Wild Card teams meet up in Toronto as the Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners. It was a big season for both of these teams, and it should lead to a great series.
Seattle ended the regular season with 90 wins, and that came on the heels of a slow start. Toronto finished the season with 92 wins, and that gets them home-field advantage in this series.
The MLB betting odds for this game have the Toronto Blue Jays as the moneyline betting favorites at -145.
Julio Rodriguez
The MLB team stats for the Seattle Mariners are not that impressive in comparison to other teams, but they have been clutch.
Julio Rodriguez has been one of the most clutch players on the team, and he is coming into the playoffs with a ton of momentum.
Rodriguez ended his rookie campaign with a .284 batting average, and he gets on base at a .345 clip. The youngster also has a ton of power, but his best asset is getting on base.
Here are the three best betting options to look at for Julio Rodriguez in this Game 1 matchup on Friday:
- Julio Rodriguez to Record a Hit (-240)
- Julio Rodriguez to Record 2 Hits (+210)
- Julio Rodriguez to Hit a Home Run (+340)
Rodriguez in the Scene
Julio Rodriguez burst onto the scene this year for the Blue Jays, and he has a flair for the dramatic. If the Mariners are going to find a way to advance in the playoffs then they will need their young star to shine.
There are a number of different ways to go with this, but look for Rodriguez to do his best to spark the offense by recording at least two hits in the series opener on Friday.
MLB Pick: Julio Rodriguez to Record 2+ Hits (+210)
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