Betsided

MLB Best Bets Today (Mets to Beat Up on Frankie Montas at Yankee Stadium)

By Donnavan Smoot

Aug 18, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) reacts
Aug 18, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) reacts / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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I went away for a little bit, but I’m so happy to be back on the column.

While we’re nearing the final month of the MLB regular season and have some important matchups to consider, there’s also great picks to be had from games with nothing to do with the playoffs, which is where two of mine come from today. 

I’m being traditional this Tuesday, siding with three strikeout props. All odds are listed via their respective sportsbooks below:

MLB Best Bets Today

  • Carlos Rodon OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (-134) – FanDuel Sportsbook
  • Max Fried OVER 5.5 Strikeouts (-130) – DraftKings Sportsbook
  • Frankie Montas UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (+115) – DraftKings Sportsbook

Carlos Rodón OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (-134) - San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers

Rodón has hit this line in three of his last five starts, missing by a single strikeout in one of the losses. We know exactly who Rodón is. He’s one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game, and he has a great matchup tonight. 

The Tigers are 22nd in MLB in strikeouts per game and 27th in strikeout percentage. As long as Rodon has a normal day on the mound – in terms of length – then I don’t see much reason to fade him against the Tigers today. 

Max Fried OVER 5.5 Strikeouts (-130) - Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Fried has only cleared this mark in two of his last five starts, but don’t let that fool you. Two of the three misses were by one strikeout, showing me his consistency with being around this line. 

He’s facing off against the Pirates tonight, which should have Fried licking his chops. The Pirates are the second-worst strikeout team in the league, trailing only the Los Angeles Angels in strikeouts per game and strikeout percentage. 

This is a very attainable line for Fried to achieve, so I’ll back him against lesser competition. 

Frankie Montas UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (+115) - New York Mets vs. New York Yankees

The first two props were a bit chalky, but I’ll make up for it here. Montas hasn’t had the best start to his career in pinstripes. He’s missed this line in all three starts, has finished with just two strikeouts twice and has an ERA close to double digits. 

The entire Yankees team is struggling right now, and I think the Mets take advantage of that. In three games, Montas is giving up nearly five runs per outing – and he hasn’t even cleared 6.0 innings pitched in a start. He’s inefficient and having a rough go of things.

Fade him and the Yanks tonight. 

You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.

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