The World Series continues on Saturday between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, with Toronto looking to expand its 1-0 series lead.
Let’s discuss my favorite Underdog and PrizePicks picks for World Series Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 25.
MLB Player Props: Best PrizePicks Plays
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto More Than 6 Strikeouts
- Kevin Gausman Less Than 5.5 Strikeouts
- George Springer Less Than 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
More Than 6 Strikeouts
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been one of the best big-game pitchers in the league the past two seasons, and I don’t expect this to change.
The Blue Jays’ offense is scalding hot, but Yamamoto has the type of raw stuff to play up effectively in this matchup.
The right-hander is averaging six strikeouts per start this postseason, but that includes an abbreviated NLDS start. In the other two, he posted nine and seven strikeouts.
Expect Yamamoto to get six or more strikeouts against the Blue Jays in his attempt to help the Dodgers even up the series.
Pick: More Than 6 Strikeouts
Kevin Gausman
Less Than 5.5 Strikeouts
When Kevin Gausman is right, he is more than capable of putting together ace-caliber performances.
However, this is the toughest matchup he’s had the entire postseason, and his strikeout numbers haven’t been there this October.
Across 17 innings in his postseason starts, Gausman has only managed to rack up 12 strikeouts.
The Dodgers are a patient team that will likely make it a priority to run Gausman’s pitch count up as quickly as possible.
Gausman getting more than five strikeouts is tough to envision unless the Dodgers’ offense collapses.
Pick: Less Than 5.5 Strikeouts
George Springer
Less Than 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
George Springer is one of the best hitters in the history of the Fall Classic, but he gets a tough matchup against the right-handed Yamamoto.
Springer has put together plenty of outstanding performances across the postseason, but he’s quietly been lacking in the contact department.
Springer could easily get there with a home run like we have come to expect from him, but I see it as more likely that he fails to achieve more than a base hit.
Pick: Less Than 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
MLB Playoff Props: Best Picks For Underdog Entries
- Shohei Ohtani Higher Than 1.5 Runs
- Kevin Gausman Higher Than 2.5 Earned Runs
- Ernie Clement Lower Than 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
Shohei Ohtani
Higher Than 1.5 Runs
The Dodgers have gotten punched in the mouth for the first time this postseason, and I fully expect the offense to come alive with an answer in Game 2.
Ohtani is obviously a major key to a victory here, and I envision him getting on base multiple times and getting cashed in by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman multiple times.
Pick: Higher Than 1.5 Runs
Kevin Gausman
Higher Than 2.5 Earned Runs
As previously discussed, Gausman has been hittable throughout the postseason, and he gets a much more daunting matchup than he’s had thus far.
The Blue Jays are likely to give the right-hander a longer leash than they otherwise would, given they hold a 1-0 series advantage.
Gausman has had a serious problem with walks in October, surrendering nine free passes in his 18 innings. The Dodgers are constructed to capitalize on free baserunners, and I see the runs piling up on the right-hander quickly.
Pick: Higher Than 2.5 Earned Runs
Ernie Clement
Lower Than 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
Ernie Clement has been an extraordinary piece to the Blue Jays’ success so far this postseason, but this doesn’t seem to be a matchup that is built for him to thrive in.
Clement has a contact-oriented approach and lacks power, evidenced by his .398 SLG during the regular season.
While Clement can easily get a hit in this game, it’s tough to see him being one of the major reasons for the Blue Jays’ success in a winning effort.
Pick: Lower Than 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
