The Rangers were handed bad news last night when it was announced that Max Scherzer would miss the rest of the regular season and likely the postseason as well. However, the good news is they have won five in a row, including the first three games against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Corey Seager will look to help the Rangers go for the sweep tonight.
The Orioles had been the hottest offense in the American League, but they scored just two in their last two games against the Cardinals. Tonight, they will welcome the Rays into Baltimore for a four-game series that could play a role in deciding the AL East. Gunnar Henderson will look to stay hot against Aaron Civale tonight.
The Rockies are the only NL team eliminated from playoff contention, but they are now taking on the role of spoiler. They took two of three games from the Cubs this week and they get the Giants for four at Coors Field next. Charlie Blackmon and Ryan McMahon may have some success against Logan Webb tonight.
MLB Player Props For Thursday, September 14
Corey Seager Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted (-155)
Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays | 7:10 p.m. ET
Since Corey Seager went hitless in two consecutive games against the Astros last week, he has a hit in five of his last six games. He has recorded two hits in three of the past four games, including two against the Blue Jays. He also has scored a run in five of the last six games while driving in a run in four of them. That makes Seager a great target for the hits + runs + runs batted in combo.
Tonight, Seager gets a tough matchup against Kevin Gausman, who is 11-8 with a 3.28 ERA and 217 strikeouts this season. However, Gausman has been better in day games this year, as he has a 4.11 ERA at night. When he allows baserunners, it is typically via hits rather than walks, and lefties are hitting .246 against him.
Seager is 7-for-18 (.389) with two doubles (including one in the June matchup) and two runs batted in against Gausman. He has 23 home runs, 64 runs batted in, and is slashing .348/.424/.700 against right-handed pitching. With this prop, it can cash quickly if Marcus Semien gets on base to lead off the game and Seager knocks him in. Additionally, Seager could get on with a hit and have Nathaniel Lowe or another teammate drive him in, giving him a hit and run to cash this combo.
Pick: Corey Seager Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-155)
Gunnar Henderson Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105)
Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles | 7:15 p.m. ET
With less than three weeks to go in the regular season, the AL Rookie of the Year race is essentially over. Gunnar Henderson is over -3000 at most sportsbooks. It is easy to see why, given how he has performed of late. Over the past 30 days, Henderson has a hit in 24 of 27 games. In that span, Henderson is hitting .330 with nine doubles, three triples, six home runs, and a .978 OPS.
Henderson will face Aaron Civale, who is enjoying a career season with a 2.96 ERA. However, he has not been as dominant since coming over to Tampa near the trade deadline. Civale has a 4.24 ERA in seven starts with the Rays, allowing three runs or more in four of those starts. He has allowed 19 extra base hits against left-handed hitters compared to 10 against right-handed hitters.
Originally, I liked Ryan Mountcastle in this spot as he is 5-for-6 against Civale, but he left last night's game with shoulder discomfort. As a left-handed hitter, Henderson could fare better in this matchup anyway. Henderson has 22 doubles, six triples, and 22 home runs against right-handed pitchers. Any extra base hit of any kind would give him two total bases. He has recorded two total bases in 7-of-12 games this month. I expect him to stay hot tonight.
Pick: Gunnar Henderson Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105)
Charlie Blackmon / Ryan McMahon One Hit Parlay (-108)
San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies | 8:40 p.m. ET
Yesterday, we backed Cody Bellinger at Coors Field. While he did cash his hits + runs + runs batted in line (which was 2.5), unfortunately he only had one hit and total base in five plate appearances. Tonight, I am going with a couple of Rockies for a hit, which surprisingly has nice odds for a game at Coors.
Charlie Blackmon got yesterday off, perhaps needed as he is hitting just .189 this month. However, he still has a hit in three of his past five games and 18 of his past 25 games. Today, I like him because he is 12-for-30 (.400) with four doubles, a home run, and a 1.088 OPS against Webb. His teammate Ryan McMahon has good numbers against Webb as well.
McMahon is 10-for-35 (.286) with two doubles, a home run, and three runs batted in against Webb. He went hitless in the two games against the Cubs, but he went 3-for-4 yesterday. He also has a hit in nine of his last 13 games at Coors Field.
Webb has developed into the Giants ace with a 3.40 ERA and 4.6 WAR this season. However, he has a 4.58 ERA on the road and 4.27 ERA in night games. He also allowed eight hits and four earned runs in 5 and 1/3 innings in his lone start at Coors Field this season. Two hits allowed, specifically to Blackmon and McMahon, will suffice tonight.
Pick: Charlie Blackmon/Ryan McMahon One Hit Parlay (-108)
