Adam Strangis Three StriKes for Friday July 24
Today represents the first full day of MLB action and I can’t miss that chance to join the fun. Normally, Three StriKes will just be four days a week but we’re making the exception for this slate. With that said, let’s see who we’re chasing for Three StriKes for Friday July 24. A perfect site to get a look the night before is monkeyknifefight.com, which we have a link to get started!
StriKe One – Shane Bieber, Indians
As a reminder, we don’t have the actual strikeout props when this is being written but we’ll set our numbers we’re comfortable betting. Bieber catches my eye on this slate because he’s facing the Royals, who already carried a 23% K rate to RHP in 2019. Kansas City stands to get Jorge Soler back from a family matter but will be missing Hunter Dozier. That’s a significant knock on this offense.
Bieber saw his K rate climb all the way to 30.1% in 2019 so that’s a nice check in his box. Additionally, his main two weapons were the fastball and slider, combining for right about 75% of his pitches. Kansas City ranked 24th vs the fastball and 29th vs the slider. That slider mark is actually even worse than it reads because Dozier ranked fifth in the majors against that pitch.
The Royals will welcome back catcher Salvador Perez this season but that is not a reason to avoid them for our purposes. I’m very happy to be looking towards Bieber tonight.
Bet – Hoping for 7.5, likely to bet Over on 8.5. Hammer the Over on Monkey Knife Fight.
StriKe Two – Justin Verlander, Astros
The reigning Cy Young winner is on the mound (Gerrit Cole should have won it) tonight in Houston and I’m quite happy to look in his direction. The matchup is juicy on paper as Verlander posted his best K% of his storied career at 35.4% and Seattle was the fourth-worst strikeout team to RHP in 2019.
This lineup is…well, it’s not good for the rebuilding Mariners. The best batting average was Mallex Smith at .254 which is ugly. Verlander should mow these guys down without much issue. Not like he needs more of an advantage, but the Mariners were no better than 16th against the fastball of slider last season. Verlander checks about everything we could ask for. The only holdup would be if we get some type of pitch count during the day, so hold off on placing the bet.
Bet – Hopeful for 8.5, likely to bet Over on 9.5
StriKe Three – Jack Flaherty, Cardinals
This is the one that I’m the least certain on and will likely lower my bet for Three Strikes Friday July 24. Flaherty might seem like a slam dunk in this spot. He’s pitching at home and the Pirates offense is fighting with the Mariners as one of the worst in the game. Partly fueled by his incredible second half, Flaherty spun a 29.9% K rate in 2019.
Here’s where the catch comes in. The Pirates were awful last year from a runs per game perspective, 12th worst. However, they only whiffed 18.8% of the time which was the second-best mark in the majors. Flaherty did face the Pirates last year twice and racked up 18 total strikeouts so that’s an interesting note.
With the Pirates losing hitters like Gregory Polanco and Melky Cabrera for 2020, the offense is likely even worse. With only 2019 data right now, the K rate has to be noted but I believe Flaherty overcomes it.
Bet – Hoping for 6.5, likely to bet Over on 7.5. Hammer the Over on Monkey Knife Fight.
Parlay – Half unit if we get our hopeful numbers, quarter unit if we don’t
2020 Record – 1-1
Thank you for reading as always. Feel free to tweet me @bucn4life with any and all questions, check out the MLB and Betting page on WinDailySports.com and let’s chat in the WinDaily Discord as well!
Sports are coming back & we want YOU on the @WinDailySports team! Get an All-Access pass including Articles, Cheat Sheets, Projection Models, & our Expert Chat. ONLY 23 CENTS for the first month! Click the link or use promo code: “23” at checkout! WinDailySports.com/23
