MLB Friday is here, and today’s schedule is jam-packed with games with playoff impact. With so many contests worth a premium, props will be thrilling to follow. Before placing your wagers, check out our MLB strikeout props picks for Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
More MLB Betting: MLB MVP odds | NL MVP odds | AL MVP odds | MLB Rookie of the Year odds | 2023 World Series odds | MLB betting promotions
Today’s Betting Lines
Here are odds from the top sports betting apps for the games we selected strikeout props from. There are 16 games on the schedule tonight, and you can check them all out on our MLB odds page. Also, shop around for the best sports betting promos on the market to get in on the action with bonus bets on the house.
MLB Strikeout Props (9/1/23)
Here are our best MLB strikeout props for Monday, Sept. 1.
Graham Ashcraft Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+130 on FanDuel)
The Reds are just a game-and-a-half out of the last wild-card spot in the NL. Tonight, Graham Ashcraft takes the mound looking to help Cincinnati win the first game of its pivotal matchup with the divisional rivals Cubs, who hold one of the NL wild-card slots. Ashcraft passed the 100-strikeout mark in August, producing his highest strikeout total of any month this season. His month included five-strikeout performances against the Nationals and Diamondbacks, both of which are top three in the category.
Friday’s matchup between the Reds and Cubs is their second meeting of the season with Ashcraft on the mound. In the first battle, Ashcraft tossed six Ks and allowed three runs (all in one inning) in an 8-5 victory for the Reds. He also held five of the Cubs’ best batters hitless. Ashcraft racked up the majority of his strikeouts in the first contest via the slider.
The slider is his secondary pitch, and he uses it 37% of the time. It draws a chase and strike percentage above average, and it holds batters well below the league batting average against sliders. The Cubs have 11 players with at least 150 plate appearances this season, and six of them hit the slider well below .250, and that was evident in the first matchup. Given how hot Ashcraft has been, we like for him to hit the six-K mark again tonight.
Jake Irvin Under 4.5 Strikeouts (+120 on FanDuel)
Jake Irvin takes the mound for the Nationals against the Marlins in the first game of another divisional series with playoff implications. This is the teams’ third meeting of this season with Irvin on the mound. So far, he has yet to hit the five-strikeout mark, tossing only four and three Ks in his two starts against them.
In the first two matchups, Irvin appeared to be looking for strikeouts. He relied heavily on the sinker in each contest, despite it being his third-most used pitch this season. He uses it 28% of the time, and it draws a chase percentage above league average and nearly a 70% strike rate. However, hitters have a .360 batting average against the pitch, and that showed in the first two contests, as the Marlins had their most success against his sinker.
Irvin’s top two pitches are the four-seamer and curveball, which he uses 47% and 30% of the time. Hitters are much less effective against those pitches from him, as he holds batters well below league average for the pitch types. However, his four-seamer doesn’t draw a high chase or strike rate. He could do much more damage with his curveball, but he hasn’t used it much against the Marlins, which is why we like him to stay Under again.
Kodai Senga Under 6.5 Strikeouts (+102 on Caesars)
The Mets’ playoff hopes are pretty much over at this point. However, that hasn’t stopped Kodai Senga from doing his part to help overcome the monumental odds. In August, he tossed at least six strikeouts in four of his five games and won three of the five outings he started for New York.
Meanwhile, the Mariners have been as hot as any team in the league and erased a nearly eight-game deficit to take the top spot in a tight AL West race.
However, they have surrendered double-digit strikeout totals in four of their last seven outings. Yet, somehow, only one pitcher tossed seven or more Ks in that time span. That’s largely in part because of how explosive their offense has been. In 10 of their last 15 games, they have scored at least six runs. That level of offensive production is making it hard for pitchers to make it deep into games and cash Over tickets.
Senga’s top two pitches are the four-seamer and cutter, which he uses at 37% and 25% clips, respectively. The Mariners have 11 players with at least 150 plate appearances, and only one of them hit fastballs below .250 in 2023. The one who does is Jose Caballero, and he hits them at a .248 mark. So, look for the Mets’ rookie to go Under tonight.
More MLB Betting Analysis
MLB Wild Card Odds: Series Previews and Picks to Advance
Reds vs. Cardinals Odds, Props, Predictions: Cincinnati’s Playoff Hopes Fading in Final Weekend
MLB Player Prop Bets for Bryce Harper, Ronald Acuna Jr. on Friday, Sept. 22
About the Author
