This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Props Today: Tuesday, August 26
Tuesday marks another full slate in MLB, and here we deliver you our three best bets for this loaded set of games. We're focusing on two pitchers who have been trending in opposite directions, as well as a slugger who's getting hot at the right time with his team firmly in the pennant race in the American League.
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Tuesday's MLB Best Bets
Chicago Cubs 
vs. Atlanta Braves 
Spencer Strider under 6.5 strikeouts, (-145 @ bet365 Sportsbook)
Strider's strikeout numbers have been trending in the wrong direction for quite some time, and this matchup against the Cubs isn't particularly enticing for him to snap this strikeout drought. With only 17 strikeouts in his last 28.2 innings and only one K when he faced the Cubs last week, going with the under in this line is a smart move, as the righty has recorded four or fewer punchouts in his previous four outings -- and four of his last five.
As much as the Cubs' offense has been struggling of late, they remain a team with a patient approach. The North Siders have the ninth-lowest strikeout rate against righties over the last month (20.8 percent). All signs point to Strider posting another low strikeout total to continue what has been an underwhelming campaign. He has a 4.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 106:41 K:BB across 101.1 innings.
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Houston Astros 
vs. Toronto Blue Jays 
Yordan Alvarez over 0.5 home runs, (+375 @ BetMGM)
While it's always risky to back a power hitter against a contending team with legit World Series aspirations and a strong rotation, Alvarez seems like a solid bet based on how good he's been seeing the ball of late. The slugger has recorded three-hit performances in three of his last five games, and even though Blue Jays RHP Shane Bieber dominated left-handed hitters this season, Alvarez is 1-for-2 against him in his career. It's a very small sample size, but we're backing Alvarez to continue mashing as he's done lately. Alvarez is hitting .500 with two homers and four extra-base hits in six games (26 at-bats) since the beginning of September.
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Arizona Diamondbacks 
vs. San Francisco Giants 
Zac Gallen Over 17.5 outs, (-120 @ bet365 Sportsbook)
Gallen has been on a roll of late and has posted four straight quality starts, and the Diamondbacks will hope to remain alive in the NL Wild Card race with another solid outing from their ace. The veteran righty continues a late-season turnaround with six quality starts in seven trips to the mound since the beginning of August. Over that stretch, Gallen has a 4-1 record with a 2.20 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB through 41 innings.
The Giants' bats have been waking up of late, but this is a group that has struggled for much of the season. Given how composed Gallen has looked on the mound, he should be able to pitch at least six innings for a fifth straight start.
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MLB Picks Recap
- Cubs vs. Atlanta: Spencer Strider under 6.5 strikeouts, (-145 @ bet365)
- Astros vs. Blue Jays: Yordan Alvarez over 0.5 home runs, (+375 @ BetMGM)
- Diamondbacks vs. Giants: Zac Gallen over 17.5 outs, (-120 @ bet365)
