We swept the board in style yesterday as our two picks cashed sweat-free. However, there's still work to be done as I'm eyeing a perfect weekend. So for today's slate, I've found a pair of lefties who are in for two very different outings. Le's find out who they are and how we're betting them.
Our Action Labs Props Tool grades each prop on a scale from 1-10, and I'll be sure to include the grade for each of my betting recommendations in my discussions below.
Martin Perez Over/Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-130/-110)
| Rangers @ Athletics | |
| First Pitch | 4:07 p.m. ET |
| Best Line: Rangers -135 | DraftKings |
The Rangers ace will be making his first start of the second half this afternoon. He's in line to pick up right where he left off, seeing as he put up first-half numbers that made him an easy All-Star selection.
Martin Perez will put his sparkling 2.68 ERA on the line against the worst offense in the majors. Oakland has the lowest team batting average and is tied for last in wRC+. On top of those numbers, they also have the seventh highest strikeout rate, and that is what I'm focusing on with Perez.
Perez is not your typical strikeout artist, as he has just 95 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched this season. However, given the matchup, this total is too low. Perez has gone over this total in 72.2% of his starts, which gives us implied odds of -260 that he will go over again.
We've already seen him go over this number in both of his two starts against Oakland this season, so with his extra rest entering this start, expect him to fly over this time.
Pick: Over 4.5 Strikeouts -130
Action Labs Grade: 8/10
Robbie Ray Over 1.5 Walks (-145/+110)
| Astros @ Mariners | |
| First Pitch | 4:10 p.m. ET |
| Best Line: Mariners +105 | DraftKings |
Robbie Ray has been solid for the Mariners this season, but his walk rate is one big difference between last year's Cy Young campaign and this season. Ray's walk rate is up 2%, and his strikeout rate is down by 4%.
Today, he'll be up against one of the most formidable lineups in baseball. The Astros have multiple big bats who handle lefties very well, which means Ray will likely be even more careful than his statistical history shows.
Ray has walked at least two men in 63.2 percent of his starts this season, which gives us implied odds of -171 that he will do so again. Of course, it also helps that Houston is sixth in walk rate and drew three walks in five innings against Ray earlier this season.
Bank on Ray to give out free passes today.
Pick: Over 1.5 Walks -145
Action Labs Grade: 10/10
