Sunday MLB Prop Bet Analysis: Orioles Aim to Shine Against Jordan Montgomery

The first two games of the ALDS series have been nothing short of thrilling. Can the Orioles snatch a win and head to Texas with the series tied at 1-1? Or will Minnesota stage an upset in Houston? We’re off to a 3-0 start on MLB player props in the playoffs, and you can catch our full MLB predictions for today right here. Now, let’s delve into the best MLB player prop bets for Sunday, October 8.

MLB prediction: Jordan Montgomery, TEX, Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-104)

Jordan Montgomery put on a show during Game 1 of the Rangers’ wild-card series against the Tampa Bay Rays, delivering 7 innings of shutout baseball with 5 strikeouts. However, he had to go the distance to reach those 5 strikeouts, throwing his 93rd pitch to secure the fifth K. Now, the real challenge awaits him as he faces the Baltimore Orioles at 4:07 E.T.

While I was a staunch supporter of Montgomery during the regular season, I believe the young bats of the Orioles, especially from a strikeout perspective, could pose a threat. Montgomery’s strikeouts line is set at 14.5 with the over carrying significant vigorish. If he shows any sign of faltering, the Rangers are likely to pull him quickly, especially with a day off tomorrow. They can’t afford to take chances in a best-of-5 series. In contrast, fellow left-hander Andrew Heaney, who boasts a superior strikeout rate compared to Montgomery, managed just 1 strikeout in 3.2 innings. While he was expected to pitch only 56 pitches, it was encouraging from the Orioles’ perspective. Head over to FanDuel for the best line at -104, as the rest of the market hovers around -125.

MLB Picks Sunday 10/8: YRFI & NRFI Best Bets Today: Quick Start in Houston

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros: NRFI (-120)

With only a two-game slate on the docket for Sunday’s Divisional Series games, we have a singular pick in the YRFI/NRFI market. For this selection, we’re backing NRFI in the AL showdown between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros. This series has the potential to go the distance, and when it comes to starting pitching, the Twins hold the upper hand. Let’s begin with the Astros’ pitching choice.

Framber Valdez takes the mound for the host Astros, aiming to build on their series-opening victory. Valdez endured a highly inconsistent final few months, allowing 6 runs in three of his last 10 outings and issuing 24 walks during that span. Nevertheless, he’s poised for a solid start against a Twins team that might once again struggle at the plate in front of a hostile Houston crowd.

On the flip side, the Twins have Pablo Lopez to rely on for what amounts to a must-win Game 2 on the road. Lopez has been superb since joining the team this season, boasting an ERA under 3.50 and striking out nearly 8 batters per 9 innings pitched. Lopez already demonstrated his mettle against the Blue Jays’ lineup, and while the Astros pose a more formidable challenge, we anticipate another strong performance from the Venezuelan native. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if both teams go down in order in the opening frame. Hence, let’s back NRFI in Houston for Game 2 of this Division Series matchup.

MLB Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Same Game Parlay: Jose Altuve Comes Through Again at +550 Odds

Game 1 of this series certainly lived up to expectations, offering a thrilling, action-packed spectacle. The Astros showed that they haven’t lost their playoff prowess, though the Twins staged an impressive comeback that ultimately fell short. The Twins are determined not to head home down 2-0 and will bring their A-game in Game 2. But will it be enough?

For those looking to add some excitement to this game, check out our Twins vs. Astros Same Game Parlay for their Sunday matchup. You can also peruse our MLB predictions for insights into today’s games.

Astros ML (-140)

After narrowly clinching the AL West title right at the end of the season, the Astros served a reminder of why they’ve featured in four World Series and secured two championships in the last six years. They dominated through six innings in Game 1 and thwarted a potential late comeback. In playoff baseball, the opponent hardly matters; the Astros are a formidable force, especially against teams that haven’t historically thrived in the postseason.

Saturday’s Game 1 victory marked the Astros’ fifth consecutive win and their sixth triumph in their last seven games. This impressive stretch includes victories over the Mariners, Diamondbacks, and now the Twins. These are no pushover teams, and Houston has consistently delivered when it matters most. Until the Astros show signs of faltering, they continue to establish themselves as the team to beat in the American League.

Over 8.5 (+110)

The final score of 6-4 in Saturday’s clash marked the 11th over in the Twins’ last 16 road games and the fourth over in their last six head-to-head meetings. Additionally, the over has hit in four of the teams’ last five games at Minute Maid Park. Despite solid pitching performances on both sides, the total runs have been trending upward recently. Robust offensive production has been a key contributor to these higher totals, and Saturday’s game reinforced this pattern.

Game 2 boasts an enticing pitching matchup, with Pablo Lopez starting for the Twins and Framber Valdez taking the mound for the Astros. While this matchup would typically suggest a pitchers’ duel, the over has hit in four of their combined six recent games. Importantly, a high-scoring game doesn’t necessarily indicate poor pitching; in the cases of Lopez and Valdez, both have delivered strong performances with ample run support, leading to increased run totals. With Houston striving to claim a 2-0 lead and Minnesota seeking to level the series, anticipate aggressive lineups from both sides.

For more betting options, explore today’s YRFI/NRFI best MLB bets.

Jose Altuve 2+ Total Bases (+145)

Jose Altuve once again demonstrated on Saturday why he’s one of the most clutch players in baseball during this time of year. He launched the very first pitch of the series deep over the left-field wall for a leadoff home run, marking his 24th career postseason homer. Across 93 career playoff games spanning 20 series, Altuve has notched 24 home runs, 50 RBIs, maintained a .271 batting average, and boasted an impressive .848 OPS. At +145 odds, securing 2 bases for a player of Altuve’s caliber represents excellent value for this parlay.

The Astros flourish in postseason scenarios, and Altuve has consistently delivered in these high-pressure moments. As the leadoff batter in a potent lineup loaded with players capable of bringing him home, Altuve is likely to gets on base, there is a good chance he will be advanced on the base paths.