Back Astros’ Framber Valdez in His Strikeout Prop in World Series Game 1 vs. Braves

The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves will begin the 2021 World Series tonight in Houston. 

Lefty Framber Valdez will get the ball for the Astros against the Braves’ Charlie Morton in Game 1. 

WynnBET Sportsbook has the Astros as -130 favorites on the moneyline in this matchup with the total set for 8.0 runs (Over -120/Under +100).

The BetSided team has put together prop picks, bold predictions and more for Game 1 of this series, but I have my eye on Valdez’s strikeout prop in this matchup. WynnBET has it set at 3.5 with the over (-150) heavily favored to the under (+125).

The lefty has been one of the players I am most excited to back in this series after he spun a gem against the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the ALCS. 

Valdez has struck out 13 batters in 15.0 innings so far this postseason, and he ‘s facing a Braves team that is 23rd in MLB in terms of strikeouts per game at 9.09. 

The Astros are going to have a short leash on all of their pitchers if they follow a similar game plan to the ALCS, but Valdez was the only starter to truly give them any length in that series. I think that benefits him in this prop tonight. 

Valdez may not go eight innings again, but if he can make it out of the first few frames, four strikeouts should be very achievable, especially since the Braves boast several lefty hitters in their lineup with Freddie Freeman, Eddie Rosario, and Joc Pederson. 

Even though the Braves might try to stack righties like Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall against Valdez, I think the lefty hits the over on this strikeout prop.