Positive COVID tests! Bullpen starts! Sticky-ball stuff! Crazy injuries! This season has had it all and made it a real challenge to pick this season, but hopefully you are all weathering it. My sympathies to other fantasy baseball owners who also had Ronald Acuña, Jr. on their rosters and lost him for the season. Just remember, there are other owners who also had/have Trevor Bauer and Marcell Ozuna – so you’re not alone.
On to the strikeout picks…
Reds @ Brewers, 2:10 pm ET
The Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff is still a Cy Young candidate with his crazy 2.1 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 125 K in 107.1 IP. He had a rough start last time out against the Mets, but history shows he rebounds very well from bad starts. The over/under is set at 7.5 and I project him to get 8-9, so I’m taking the over and +100 from BetMGM.
Tigers @ Twins, 2:10 pm ET
Jose Berrios takes the mound for the Twins today and this is the biggest differential my K-Machine (patent pending) found today. According to my projections, he could be in line for an 8-9 strikeout game, yet the bookies have set the over/under at 6.5. I’ll take the over and -128 from BetMGM.
Athletics @ Rangers, 2:35 pm ET
For my last pick before the All-Star break, I’m going with Chris Bassitt of the Oakland A’s. While he does have a much better ERA at home than away, his K-rate has stayed pretty constant. The sportsbooks have the line set at 6.5 but I see him getting 7-8. I’ll take the over and -108 from the folks at FanDuel.
Come back again after the all-star break — same bat-channel — Batman out!