Best MLB Prop Bets Today | MLB Player Props October 18

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers

My Pick – Max Scherzer Prop to Account for Over 4.5 strikeouts (-120 at DraftKings)

The ALCS matchup between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros has more low scoring than expected. The first matchup would be a 2-0 win for the Rangers. Both teams would score more in the following game as the Rangers would defeat the Astros.

On Wednesday's game, the Rangers are expected to go with Max Scherzer, who started the season playing for the New York Mets. Scherzer is set to make his first postseason appearance for the Rangers. 

In the eight games he played for the Rangers in the regular season, Scherzer accounted for an ERA of 3.20 and delivered 53 strikeouts. In his eight games played, he averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game.

In the first game against the Astros, the Rangers accounted for seven total strikeouts, including six from Jordan Montgomery. In game two, the Rangers forced the Astros to strikeout 10 times, including nine from Nathan Eovaldi. 

If Scherzer is still pitching at a high level, he should have a great opportunity to suppress this Astros team, which still needs to develop a rhythm

My Pick – Jeremy Pena Prop to Account for Over 0.5 hits (-190)

The Houston Astros have no problem scoring in the ALDS win over the Minnesota Twins. They have seen their lack of efficiency in the batting game rise in the series against the Rangers, due to their stellar pitching.

The Astros have combined for 11 hits in both of the games against the Rangers. Houston shortstop Jeremy Pena accounted for a hit in the first game of the series with no strikeouts in his three at-bat appearances. In the following game, Pena had four at-bat appearances without a hit or walk, but he also didn't strike out. 

Pena is finding ways to get hits but is either failing to get on base or it is a flyball. The same couldn't be said for his Astros teammates.

The series is being moved to Houston, which will force the crowd to bring life and urgency to the series. Players like Pena, who aren't the problem in the series could easily have a better performance, including getting a hit or two.

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