The Rangers have outscored the White Sox 13-1 in the first two games in their three-game series. Today, they will go for the sweep with Max Scherzer making his Rangers debut. However, Texas may receive a boost from another star who recently returned to the lineup.
The Rangers hold a half-game lead over the Houston Astros in the AL West. Houston visits New York for the Astros' first matchup against the Yankees this season. Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker may pose a difficult matchup for Clarke Schmidt.
Sticking in the AL West, the Mariners will be in Anaheim to battle the Angels. The Mariners draw a tough assignment going against Shohei Ohtani, but they may be able to draw a couple of walks against him.
Find my MLB player prop picks for Thursday, August 3, below.
MLB Player Props For Thursday, August 3
Corey Seager Over 1.5 Total Bases (-125)
| Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers | Rangers -267 |
| First Pitch | 2:05 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | FanDuel |
The Rangers made a late change to their lineup last night after they activated Corey Seager from the IL. It did not take long for him to make an impact as he hit a two-run home run in the first inning. He finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three runs batted in.
We have backed Seager multiple times this season and cashed. However, as a refresher, Seager loves hitting in day games and at home. He is slashing .393/.445/.656 in day games and .379/.446/.719 at Globe Life Field. Additionally, over half of Seager's 58 hits at home have gone for extra bases, with 19 doubles and 11 home runs. An extra-base hit will give us the two bases we need today.
Seager will face Touki Toussaint, and he is 0-for-2 against him in his career. Toussaint tossed four scoreless innings in relief against the Rangers in June. The right-hander only has pitched 36 innings this season, but he has been far more comfortable at home. Toussaint's ERA jumps from 1.20 at home to 5.14 on the road. Seager is also hitting .361 with a .314 Isolated Power against right-handers, so I give him the edge in this matchup.
Seager has hit this line in five of his last eight games and 18 of his last 30 games. He is also averaging 2.8 total bases in four games against the White Sox this season, but we only need two from him today.
Pick: Corey Seager Over 1.5 Total Bases (-125) |
Yordan Alvarez/Kyle Tucker One-Hit Parlay (+115)
| Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees | Astros -115 |
| First Pitch | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | DraftKings |
The Astros have had the Yankees' number over the last few years, and Yordan Alvarez has been a big reason why. At Yankee Stadium, Alvarez is 15-for-42 (.357) with six home runs and 12 runs batted in. Alvarez has been limited to 63 games this season, but since returning from the IL on July 26th, he has recorded a hit in six straight games.
In Alvarez's absence, Kyle Tucker stepped up and carried the Astros offense. In the 39 games Alvarez missed, Tucker hit .356 with 10 home runs and 33 runs batted in. Tucker has a hit in each of his last four games and in eight of his last 10 games.
Alvarez and Tucker are dangerous hitters whenever they step in the batter's box, but I am targeting them tonight because of their matchup against Clarke Schmidt. Alvarez and Tucker have not faced Schmidt before; however, left-handed hitters – like Alvarez and Tucker – are hitting .290 with 20 doubles, eight home runs and a .878 OPS against the Yankees right-hander.
Playing at Yankee Stadium, Alvarez and Tucker will have the advantage of the short porch in right field. Should they flash their extra-base power as well, you can parlay the two left-handers at +360 for two total bases each and +2000 if they both homer.
Pick: Yordan Alvarez/Kyle Tucker One-Hit Parlay (+115)
Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Walks (-135)
| Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels | Angels -160 |
| First Pitch | 9:38 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | DraftKings |
The last time Shohei Ohtani took the mound, he was simply dominant and tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout against the Tigers. However, in that start, Ohtani also issued three walks. Ohtani has walked three batters in five of his last 10 starts and is averaging 2.5 walks per start this season. Ohtani has also allowed two walks in seven of his last 10 starts.
Ohtani has particularly struggled with walks against Seattle this season. In two starts against the Mariners this season, he has walked nine batters in 11 innings. Ohtani has walked six different Mariners hitters, including catcher Cal Raleigh three times. Seattle is 11th in Walk Rate against right-handed pitchers this season.
Ohtani has walked 50 batters in 120 and 2/3 innings and is also averaging just over six innings per start. Generally, I try to target lines where the pitcher will need one walk per three innings, which would be the case here. If Ohtani issues a walk in the first inning, like he has been prone to do this season, we will likely have another five or six innings for him to issue another. However, if he hits his average against the Mariners this season, this line won't be a sweat at all.
Pick: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Walks
