Here’s some Pick ‘Em plays our team is looking at for today’s MLB slate!

Writer’s Record: 76-62-7 (+6.75 Units)

PrizePicks

Cole Ragans OVER 6.0 Pitcher Strikeouts

Since the Royals acquired Cole Ragans from the Rangers in the Aroldis Chapman trade, he has been one of the top strikeout merchants in the majors. He ranks second behind only Freddy Peralta in total strikeouts during that stretch with 44, two shy of Peralta’s 46. His K/9 since August is 13.35, which also ranks second best since the trade deadline. Ragans will go against the Pirates tonight, a team that ranks seventh in total strikeouts over the past 30 days. He has averaged 96 pitches per start since arriving in Kansas City and as the Royals don’t have anything to play for, they will let him work. That bodes well for the young lefty’s chances to rack up Ks.

Charlie Morton OVER 6.5 Pitcher Strikeouts

This number was at 7.5 last night and it has moved all the way down to 6.5 prior to gametime. I did not like it at 7.5, but at this point, you’re getting value at this number with Charlie Morton, a pitcher who struck out 21 combined batters in his last two starts. The veteran curve-baller has actually faced off against the Rockies already this season. In that start, Morton struck out eight Rockies batters over five innings. The Rockies have the most total strikeouts over the past month.

Underdog Fantasy

Jose Quintana OVER 2.0 Walks Allowed

The only start that Jose Quintana did not walk two batters in was in his debut this year, which came in July against a terrible White Sox team. In his following six appearances, he has walked at least two hitters. In his last three outings, he has walked 10 batters over 17.1 innings. Against left-handed pitchers this season, the Rangers have accumulated the fourth most amount of walks among all clubs.

Justin Steele OVER 5.0 Hits Allowed

While the Cubs are 7-1 in games Steele has started since the All-Star break, he has given up at least five hits in every one of those eight starts. He has given up over five hits in all five August starts and the Brewers seem like they are on a mission to prove why they have been the class of the NL Central for years. In Steele’s start against the Brewers in July, he gave up nine hits over six innings.

Thrive Fantasy

Clayton Kershaw OVER 4.5 Total Ks

Thrive Fantasy is generously giving you the hook on this strikeout total while other pick ’em sites have this number at five. Kershaw’s last start was cut short by weather in Cleveland, but before then, he got four strikeouts in only two innings. The Dodgers will be at home where Kershaw has a 1.72 ERA and averages just under seven strikeouts per start.

Jose Berrios UNDER 5.5 Total Ks

The Nationals have been one of the more surprising teams since the All-Star break and they have been one of the more difficult teams to get strikeouts against all year. Only the Guardians have struck out less than the Nationals on the season. Berrios’ strikeout tallies have been inconsistent this year and the matchup tonight should keep him on the under side of this number.