With under two weeks remaining in the 2024 MLB regular season, playoff and award races are heating up as teams and players look to make their final push. Wednesday’s action has brought us a jam-packed slate with all 30 MLB teams in action, including Tarik Skubal and the Tigers facing off against Kansas City, and Sonny Gray and the Cardinals taking on the Pirates. Today’s prop article highlights both of those starting pitchers.
Let’s dive in!
Tarik Skubal (DET) under 1.5 walks allowed + Sonny Gray (STL) 6+ strikeouts recorded (+127)
Tarik Skubal was the player I bet on in my first ever prop article on this platform, and he was my only preseason pick for the Cy Young award. To say Skubal is one of my favorite players in the league would be an understatement, as the left-hander with the high leg kick is one of the more dominant starting options the league has to offer. Skubal has recorded 214 strikeouts in his 180 innings of work so far this season, maintaining a 2.50 ERA with underlying run prevention metrics that support his success. What has been so impressive is his command of the strike zone this year, as Skubal has mastered the ability to limit walks while still generating swing-and-miss. His 4.7% walk rate on the year ranks 94th percentile among MLB pitchers, and he has allowed 1 or 0 walks in 18 of his 29 starts. He has allowed more than 2 walks in just 1 start all year long, issuing 4 free passes against the Yankees on 8/18. Since that outing, however, Skubal hasn’t allowed a single walk in 4 sta rts spanning a combined 24.2 innings. He now faces a Royals lineup for the 3rd time this season, and while he has allowed 2 walks in the last 2 matchups, I like his chances of controlling the zone in this spot. In the last 30 days Kansas City has the 2nd lowest walk rate against left-handed pitching with the 12th lowest swing rate overall. Expect an aggressive Skubal to perform tonight as he looks to cement his Cy Young award placement and keep the Tigers playoff chances alive.