Spenser Watkins Has Intriguing Strikeout Prop vs. Marlins

It’s hard to find a better story in Major League Baseball this season than 28-year-old rookie Spenser Watkins. 

The Baltimore Orioles rookie wasn’t even supposed to be in baseball this season, as he accepted a job coaching the freshman team at a high school in Phoenix, but he will make his fourth Major League start tonight against the Miami Marlins. 

A 30th-round pick out of a Division II school in Western Oregon University in 2014, Watkins signed with the Orioles as a free agent in February of this year. He tore it up in the minor leagues, and just three starts into his major league career, Watkins was the Orioles seventh-best player in terms of wins above replacement on the season. 

Absolutely remarkable. 

Watkins was lights out in his last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays, as he tossed six innings of one-run ball and registered seven strikeouts.

Despite that, WynnBET has Watkins’ strikeout prop for tonight’s game at just 4.5 and the under (-160) is heavily favored to the over (+120). At those odds, I love Watkins to hit the over, the numbers say that he has a good chance to do so. 

Miami is the third-worst team in MLB in terms of strikeouts per game at 9.67. Only the Rays and Milwaukee Brewers average more per game, and we’ve already seen how Watkins carved up the Rays’ offense in his last start. 

While Watkins has only gone over 4.5 strikeouts once in his first three starts, he also hasn’t gotten to throw many pitches, as he was pulled after just 83 in his second outing. The O’s extended him to 92 pitches against Tampa Bay, and he delivered with the seven K’s. 

Through his three starts, Watkins has allowed just 11 hits and three earned runs in 16.1 innings. I’m taking the over on his strikeouts prop at +120, and I’m inclined to bet the Orioles as underdogs (+120 on the moneyline) in this one as well. 

If Watkins continues the hot start to his career, he can improve his record to 3-0 through four Major League starts.

Think Watkins hits the over on his strikeouts prop? Or do you want to fade my pick? Download the WynnBET app in New Jersey, Indiana or Colorado.