Best Bets in 2019 World Series Props: It’s All About Pitching

• With the the 2019 World Series set to get underway on Tuesday, Oct 22, books are offering a host of props bets
• Get -120 odds a Nationals pitcher records more than 9 Ks in a game
• Washington also sits as an attractive -120 bet to cover the game-spread of +1.5 

The 2019 World Series is set to get underway on Tuesday night, with the Houston Astros taking on the Washington Nationals as heavy -220 favorites in the 2019 World Series odds.

The oddsmakers have kept busy publishing props bets that cover a variety of aspects of the action on the diamond. Here’s a look at a few best bets to consider as you prepare for this year’s Fall Classic.

2019 World Series Props: Mosts Ks in a Game by One Pitcher

*Odds taken on 10/21/19.

Strikeouts Not in Short Supply this Postseason

Both the Astros and Nationals paved their way to a World Series berth on the strength of dominant pitching. Washington hurlers were simply dominant during the Nationals’ four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, surrendering just 16 total hits and five earned runs in the series.

Stephen Strasburg, postseason career:

1.32 ERA in 41 IP, with 5 BB and 57 K.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 15, 2019

Nationals pitchers have also overpowered opposing hitters with regularity during this postseason, averaging 12.3 strikeouts per game, with Washington starters throwing 10 or more strikeouts on four occasions including two strikeout-laden performances by Stephen Strasburg.

Gerrit Cole’s postseason…
3 starts 22.2 innings
1 earned run
10 hits
8 walks
32 strikeouts
0.40 ERA
Last charged with loss May 22nd. pic.twitter.com/kWpY8cTnVk

— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) October 16, 2019

Astros hurlers have been equally dominant, averaging 10.9 strikeouts per game. Gerrit Cole has led the way for Houston, twice reaching double digits in strikeouts in three postseason starts.

And with the Nationals batters striking out 10 or more times in four of their past five outings, and the Astros topping 10 Ks on three occasions during their ALCS clash with the New York, the likelihood of one of the many aces scheduled to appear in the series topping nine strikeouts in a game is looking pretty strong.

Pick: OVER 9 K’s in a game by one pitcher (-120)

2019 World Series Props: Most Pitchers in a Game by One Team

Bullpens Will Carry the Load … Eventually

The Houston Astros did an outstanding job at containing Yankees hitters in their ALCS matchup, surrendering just 2.8 runs per game over the final five games of the series. However, Houston manager AJ Hinch was forced to make extensive use of his bullpen over that stretch, with six or more pitchers taking the mound in three of their past five games, and four times overall in this postseason.

The mood in the Cardinals bullpen is…not great. #nats #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/1USrPQBQ2G

— Laura Murphy (@LMurphyDC) October 15, 2019

The Nationals pitching staff enjoyed much easier time against an offensively-challenged Cardinals lineup, with fewer than four hurlers taking the mound in two of the four NLCS matchups, and four times in the postseason.

Washington hitters meanwhile regularly lit up pitchers earlier this month, forcing opposing managers to call for at least five pitchers in seven of their 10 postseason games.

While the Astros sport a meagre .208 team batting average so far in the postseason, they cannot be underestimated after leading the majors with a team average of .274 during the regular season.

While the Astros sport a meagre .208 team batting average so far in the postseason, they cannot be underestimated after leading the majors with a team average of .274 during the regular season.

With both of these teams racking up big run totals on multiple occasions during their respective LCS matchups, it is likely only a matter of time before one of them gets a deep look at the other’s bullpen.

Pick: OVER 6.5 pitchers by one team in at least one game (-120)

2019 World Series Props: Series Game Spread

Nats Offer Solid Value on Series Game Spreads

Despite totally dominating St. Louis during their NLCS sweep of the Cardinals, the Nationals find themselves badly trailing the Astros as +190 underdogs in the MLB series prices entering this year’s Fall Classic.

While that bet alone offers exceptional value, there is also opportunity to cash on the tempered expectations facing Washington, as it enters its first World Series in franchise history.

Killing time before the (gulp) World Series:

The Nationals are on a six-game winning streak.
The Nationals have won 16 of their last 18 games.
Since May 24, the Nationals are 82-40, which is a .672 winning percentage, which over a full season is a 109-win pace.

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) October 16, 2019

The Nationals will be hoping that a week-long layoff won’t cool off the torrid 18-3 run they take into Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night. Washington has also dominated the Astros in interleague play over the past decade, posting wins in 19 of their past 24 overall meetings, and going 8-1 in their past nine matchups in Houston.

That makes it tough to ignore a wager on the Nationals to cover a +1.5 game spread as a -120 bet, while the daring may find value in taking Washington -1.5 games, which will pay out on attractive +290 odds.

Pick: Nationals +1.5 games on series game spread (-120)