Astros vs. Mariners: The best player prop bets for Aug. 31

Game two of a crucial AL West battle will take place in the Pacific Northwest tonight with the division leading Houston Astros (78-53) visiting the Seattle Mariners (70-62), who are currently four and a half games back of a wild card spot.

Heading towards September, the Mariners are trying to end a 20-year postseason drought. Just when things seem like they might turn around an unexpected "gotcha" rears its head, and 2021 has been no exception, as Seattle has been without 2020 Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis due to a meniscus injury.

After dropping a close game last night, the Mariners will turn to Yusei Kikuchi (7-7, 4.33 ERA), while the Astros will counter with Lance McCullers Jr. (10-4, 3.32 ERA). Kikuchi will be looking to shut the door on a potent Astros lineup which leads the league in team batting average (.268) and OPS (.779).

First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET, and we have the three best player prop bets to wager on below.

YUSEI KIKUCHI: OVER/UNDER 4.5 STRIKEOUTS

Kikuchi, who now holds All-Star pitching honors in both the MLB and his native Japanese NPB league, has been a dependable arm for the Mariners this season despite some growing pains since he transitioned to the MLB in 2019.

Although the Astros bats are the league’s best at the moment, the left-handed Kikuchi should be able to use his superb arsenal of pitches and solid 13.1% swinging strike rate to keep Houston off-balance and induce some strikeouts.

Kikuchi is averaging 5.2 innings pitched and six strikeouts per start. If this game turns out to be the pitching duel it’s set-up to be, we like Kikuchi to stay in the game long enough to top the Over on his projected punch outs.

PICK: OVER 4.5 STRIKEOUTS (-113)

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CARLOS CORREA: OVER/UNDER 0.5 RBIS

One Astro that doesn’t mind seeing Kikuchi on the mound is Carolos Correa. Over his 15 plate appearances against the southpaw, Correa has seven hits and an OPS of 1.133.

Correa (.275 AVG, 69 RBI), who hit third in the lineup last night, should expect to stay in the heart of the order tonight and have a few good chances of knocking in a run at some point, whether it be against Kikuchi or the M’s bullpen.

PICK: OVER 0.5 RBIS (+165)

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TY FRANCE: OVER/UNDER 0.5 RUNS

Utility infielder Ty France leads the M’s in hits (135) and OPS (.816) this season. He batted in the clean-up spot last night, going 2-for-4 with two singles, and will look to add to his current four-game hitting streak.

France have had success against McCullers so far in his career, and is 4-for-9 against the Astros hurler with an OPS of 1.111.

If the Mariners are to generate any offense tonight, at some point France will likely be involved. While we like him to get on-base, the Mariners would also like to bat him around for a run as they hope to stay close in the wild card race and eventually clinch a postseason berth.

PICK: FRANCE OVER 0.5 RUNS (+165)