Friday MLB Best Bets: J.J. picks strikeouts in Mets vs Blue Jays, Tigers vs White Sox, Cubs vs Brewers, and Reds vs Cardinals
This Friday features a lot of aces and other really good arms, so it seems right to focus in on these pitchers. Specifically, we will be taking a dive into strikeout numbers, and finding the best matchups to exploit strong strikeout numbers. Below are pitchers with K/9 rates well over 10. There are surely going to be a lot of swings and misses today. Let’s get into it.
New York Mets @ Toronto Blue Jays
SP: Jacob deGrom – T-5th in strikeouts (70), 13.13 K/9
Note: 70 strikeouts in only 48 IP. After low pitch count early in season, has topped 100 pitches in each of last 3 games (20 IP, 35 K’s).
Last Outing: Against Phillies, 7 IP with 12 punchouts. Threw season high 108 pitches.
Prop: Over 9.5 Strikeouts (-105).
Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox
SP: Lucas Giolito – 2nd in strikeouts (75), 12.34 K/9
Note: Only below 6 strikeouts in one game which occurred in 7 inning DH. Since throwing 80 and 85 pitches in first two starts, he has topped 94 pitches every game since.
Last Outing: At Kansas City, registered 9 strikeouts over 6 innings. Threw 104 pitches.
Prop: Over 7.5 Strikeouts (-165)
Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers
SP: Brandon Woodruff – T-19th in strikeouts (55), 10.76 K/9
Note: 22 strikeouts over last 15.1 innings. Concern is number of pitches as he averages 91 pitches thrown a game, and has yet to top 96.
Last Outing: At Cleveland, fanned 7 in 4.1 IP. Allowed a lot of baserunners, but limited damage with 3 runs while throwing 94 pitches.
Prop: Over 6.5 strikeouts (-105)
Cincinnati Reds @ St. Louis Cardinals
SP: Luis Castillo – T-14th in strikeouts (60), 12.46 K/9
Note: 24 punchouts over last 17 innings and hasn’t thrown less than 89 pitches in a game this season.
Last Outing: At Pittsburgh, threw 6 innings while fanning 8. Only a 7 inning game and he threw 93 pitches.
Prop: Over 5.5 strikeouts (-159)