The MLB postseason is approaching, and every team in the running wants to finish the regular season strong – especially when facing a team that is also in the running.
That’s the case Tuesday for the Kansas City Royals and their starter Seth Lugo as they look to avenge Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins to stay in the AL wildcard race and in the AL Central Division.
Lugo is one of my favorite prop picks for today’s MLB slate, but there’s also a run-line play I’m eyeing in the National League.
With all MLB teams in action, today’s edition of Walk Off Wagers will show you how to bet on Tuesday’s games.
Opportunities via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Seth Lugo recorded OVER 17.5 outs (-180)
All season long, Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo has been impressive, posting a 2.72 ERA in 24 games, leading the Royals to a 14-10 record in those games.
Lugo – a former reliever – has shown the ability to stay in matchups for a long time, pitching six or more innings in 20 of his 24 appearances, so the fact that he recorded just 17.5 outs on Tuesday is pretty shocking.
Lugo faced the Twins twice earlier this season, going six innings in both games while allowing a total of eight hits and just one earned run. The Twins rank sixth in the league in OPS, making them a tough opponent, but Lugo has put in a stellar performance against the Royals’ division rival in 2024.
I bet he can go six innings again, especially since he’s managed to do that over 80 percent of the time this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-122) vs. San Diego Padres
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in trouble.
They are now in last place in the NL Central after losing their eighth straight game on Monday night, but I will Bet on them to cover the run line on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
Pittsburgh comes into this game with the second-best record in the MLB on the run line (66-52) and has also proven itself in coverage on the road (37-23). Now, the Pirates aren’t winning games lately, but they’re not letting it get them down either.
During this eight-game losing streak, the Pirates have suffered five losses by one run, three of which have come against this Padres team.
With the Pirates being absolute underdogs tonight against Michael King and Co., I can’t help but see them as at least winners here. Not only will Pittsburgh win at some point, but they have played an incredible 43 games in 2024 that have been decided by one run or less.
Buy cheap from the Buccos on Tuesday.
Nestor Cortes OVER 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (+110)
New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. has been terrible lately, posting a 7.67 ERA in his last six starts since early July.
The Yankees have not been good overall in Cortes’ starts this season, sitting at 8-16 and coming off a terrible performance in a loss to the Chicago White Sox on Monday.
The White Sox scored 12 runs in that win, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the league’s weakest offense faced Cortes, who has allowed 39 hits and 10 walks in his last 29.1 innings.
Cortes has allowed at least three earned runs in seven of his last eight starts, so getting this plus-salary prop seems like a no-brainer, even if Chicago’s offense hasn’t been good in 2024.
The odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.
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