The MLB playoffs open with a matchup between two left-handers: Jesús Luzardo for the Phillies and Chris Sale for the Braves. With a Game 1 win at stake, their strikeout and outs-recorded lines are worth a close look, along with how Philadelphia and Atlanta's hitters match up against them. Here are our top MLB player props for Phillies vs. Braves.
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Tuesday’s Best MLB Player Props & Bets: Phillies vs. Braves
Here are the best MLB player prop bets for September 29’s playoff game Phillies vs. Braves.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Jesus Luzardo Under 2.5 Strikeouts (+105)
On Sept. 7, Luzardo pitched a complete-game shutout against the Braves. He struck out 12 batters in that appearance. However, he went onto the Injured List after that, and in his most recent appearance, he pitched just 1.0 inning, striking out zero batters.
While it's tempting to look at what Luzardo did against the Braves earlier this month and blindly take the Over for this low total, Phillies' manager Don Mattingly has confirmed that Luzardo will just be opening this game. That means that we shouldn't expect to see him for more than an inning or two.
When Luzardo pitched against the Braves earlier this month, he had just one strikeout in the first inning, so if he only pitches one inning, then there's little doubt he's hitting this Under. But even through two innings, he had just three strikeouts, and after three innings, he had just four. This is a pitcher averaging 1.2 strikeouts per inning this season, but until I know he's at 100 percent, I can't trust him. And with the price for the Under so good, I'll take a chance here.
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