Everybody is in on the sticky-ball stories now – reading on a few places how evaluators are re-classifying pitchers as ‘sticky-stuff guys’ and those who are not. It has been interesting to watch as some pitchers are abandoning curveballs and sliders for more traditional change-up, two-seamers. Some people are calling for MLB to look into the baseball that is being used in Japan – it apparently has some stickiness build into the skin of the ball. Would love to compare spin rates here and abroad.
On to the strikeout picks…
Mariners @ Blue Jays, 7:07 pm ET
The K-Machine (patent pending) is pointing towards the Mariners Justus Sheffield having a tough time against Toronto (Buffalo?) this evening. The Blue Jays are really on offensive fire right now and it’s hard to pick against them. As such, I’m going to go with the under 4.5 strikeouts and -155 from Barstool sportsbook.
Mets @ Braves, 7:20 pm ET
The Braves are throwing out Max Fried against the first place Mets tonight (that doesn’t sound right) and while I don’t think he’ll get the win, I expect him to get more than a few strikeouts. You can get a nice +140 from DraftKings for over 5.5 and I’m taking my chances there.
Rangers @ Athletics, 9:40 pm ET
The A’s have Chris Bassitt on the mound tonight and he’s having a great year – 8-2 record, 1.06 WHIP and a nice 102 strikeouts over 99.2 innings pitched. I have him projected to get 7-8 strikeouts tonight, so while I can play it safe and take the over 5.5 at -139 from some books, I’m instead going for the over 6.5 and +124 I can get at FanDuel.
Come back again — same bat-channel — Batman out!