MLB best bets: Take a rest from football with these tasty K props

Yuck, last night didn't go according to plan. Jamaal Williams got hurt early and we watched his backup rack up the yards and score twice. The Browns ended up having Amari Cooper active, and they rarely had time in the pocket to let a deep play develop. Alas, we put it behind us and move to MLB on this fine Tuesday.

Fawning over fanning rates

It seems like a beautiful day to load up some K props, and a few spots in particular merge steady pitchers with high strikeout rates for the lineups opposite him.

Taj Bradley over 6.5 Ks (-105 DraftKings)

While Bradley's hit-rate isn't spectacular at this number, there are a few things to like. For starters, Bradley has recorded seven strikeouts in two of his last three starts. He also ranks in the 90th percentile of Ks/inning, so if we can get just six solid innings from the Rays pitcher, he should find the Ks. Then there's the opponent, the Angels. Los Angeles is fanning at the second-highest rate against righties over the past month, and seven of the last nine starting RHP since September 7 have gone over their strikeout total. That includes some big games, with five of the last seven hitting 8+ strikeouts. Bring on a big Bradley night.

Yusei Kikuchi over 5.5 Ks (-120 FanDuel)

The Yankees are fanning against lefties far more frequently over the last 30 days, ranking as the fourth-most strikeout-prone team. That should bode well for Toronto's Kikuchi here on his K prop, especially at a number he's been hitting steady. Over his last 15 starts, Kikuchi has covered 5.5 strikeouts 11 times, which includes hitting in eight of his last nine road starts. He looks like a solid choice this evening.

Cristopher Sanchez over 3.5 Ks (-105 BetMGM)

Now we can understand this line in a vacuum, sportsbooks are banking on Sanchez getting figured out by the Atlanta lineup today. The reason there is that Sanchez just fanned 10 Braves six days ago. Still, 10 strikeouts then, and we need only four today? The Phillies pitcher has gone over this 3.5 line in seven straight starts, and Atlanta has been fanning at a bit higher rate against LHP over the last month. We're willing to take a bite on a semi-repeat performance here.

Enjoy the day, we'll see you back here tomorrow!

In the news ...

Nick Chubb leaves with gruesome leg injury — Oh man, Nick Chubb's injury on "Monday Night Football" was really tough to watch. We won't push you to watch it, but it seems unlikely that the Browns' star running back is going to play again this season. Cleveland ended up falling to Pittsburgh 26-22 in a turnover-filled evening. The Steelers defense scored two touchdowns, one of which came from T.J. Watt, who already has four sacks this year. Watt is +380 to win Defensive Player of the Year behind Micah Parsons (+195).

76ers sign Kelly Oubre — Kelly Oubre, who averaged 20.3 points per game last year in Charlotte, has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers after a prolonged free agency. Oubre offers some wing depth for Philly and a scoring insurance policy given the uncertain nature of the 76ers relationship with James Harden. Philadelphia is currently +1500 to win the NBA Finals, eighth in the league and fourth in the Eastern Conference behind Boston, Milwaukee and Miami.

Columbus Blue Jackets part ways with coach Mike Babcock after just 12 weeks — Well that was fast. After signing on to be the new head coach of the Blue Jackets, Babcock resigned on Monday, citing the distraction he has become. The reason for this abrupt dismissal stems from a report that Babcock made Columbus center Boone Jenner show him photos on his phone and then shared them with the other coaches. Multiple other reports emerged that Babcock would Airplay players' photos on a TV for others to see. It's a very strange story that we haven't quite wrapped our heads around. Columbus is 150-1 to win the Stanley Cup, the sixth-worst odds in the league.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll, the guy who won $8K on a $20 NFL parlay. For more content to help fuel your betting picks, follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.