Gerrit Cole vs. Shane McClanahan: Who Will Have More Strikeouts in Yankees vs. Rays on Monday?

The Tampa Bay Rays had a rough week on the road, but things don’t get much better in their return to Tropicana Field tonight as Gerrit Cole and the Yankees come to town.

The Yankees, and Cole specifically, have dominated the Rays all year. Despite that, I still pick picked Tampa Bay as my underdog play of the day with Shane McClanahan on the hill.

With both starters pitching at an elite level this season, which of the two is best positioned to finish with more strikeouts tonight?

All odds below were provided by WynnBET Sportsbook.

Gerrit Cole Strikeouts Total 7.5 (OVER -150/UNDER +110)

All things considered, Cole may be the better overall talent between the two. However, Cole’s season has been quite a bit more tumultuous than McClanahan’s.

He is tied for fifth with 91 strikeouts this year, but has also been quite inconsistent. So far this month, Cole has strikeout totals of three, seven, and nine in three games. His last game out was against the same Rays team; managing seven strikeouts at home in that game while falling under this total. I don't think he'll get there again this evening.

PICK: Gerrit Cole UNDER 7.5 strikeouts +110

Shane McClanahan Strikeouts Total 6.5 (OVER -165/UNDER +120)

If the Rays have any legit chance to come away with a win here, McClanahan will have to keep pace with Cole’s efforts for the Yankees. While the Yankees have one of the best offenses in baseball right now, McClanahan is having one hell of a sophomore year for Tampa Bay. He’s also done very well against the Yankees with a 1.50 ERA, 10 hits, and two runs in 12 total innings.

Perhaps the most impressive part of McClanahan's success against the Yankees is his 23 strikeouts in 74 at-bats. McClanahan struck out seven in each of the last two games he played against the Yankees, and is in another spot to hit his over this evening.

PICK: Shane McClanahan OVER 6.5 strikeouts -165

Gerrit Cole vs. Shane McClanahan (Who Finishes with More Strikeouts?)

Cole is a fair bit worse on the road than he is in The Bronx. At Yankee Stadium this year, Cole has a 2.47 ERA with 55 strikeouts and five walks. On the road, he has a 4.60 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 13 walks.

While Cole has a higher strikeout total tonight, I think his opponent gets the better of him here. 

PICK: McClanahan (OVER 6.5 K's -165) over Cole (UNDER 7.5 K's +110)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE