Brewers vs. Dodgers: The best player prop bets for Oct. 1

A pair of World Series contenders will clash this evening when the Los Angeles Dodgers (103-56) host the Milwaukee Brewers (95-64) at Chavez Ravine.

The Brewers have already locked up the Central Division after posting their highest win total since 2018, while the Dodgers are desperately trying to avoid playing in the National League Wild Card Game. Dave Roberts & Co. are currently two games behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL West with three games remaining, so every inning counts.

Los Angeles will give the ball to three-time Cy Young Award-winner Clayton Kershaw (10-8, 3.38), who will be making his fourth start since returning from a prolonged stint on the IL with forearm tightness. Milwaukee will counter with lefty Eric Lauer (7-5, 2.93), who’s in the midst of his finest season as a pro.

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

Clayton Kershaw Over/Under 6.5 strikeouts

Kershaw will eventually make it into Cooperstown, but it won’t be because of anything he’s done in 2021. The former MVP has made just 21 starts this season and is posting his highest ERA since his rookie campaign in 2008. Dig a little deeper and you’ll see “The Claw” hasn’t registered a quality start since June 27, and has made it into the fifth inning just once in his last four outings.

Kershaw is still capable of befuddling batters with his devastating slider, but Roberts likely won’t keep him in the game long enough to register the seven strikeouts needed to top our oddsmakers’ projection. Count on another early departure as the Dodgers continue to monitor Kershaw's health with the goal of keeping him fresh for a deep postseason run.

Pick: Under 6.5 strikeouts (+105)

Christian Yelich Over/Under 0.5 hits

Few players have had more success against Kershaw than Christian Yelich. The 2018 NL MVP has had nine hits in 18 at bats against the Dodgers ace, including a pair of homers.

Although injuries have hampered his production this season, Yelich has rediscovered his swing lately. The two-time All-Star is batting .353 over the last seven days, and is coming off an impressive two-hit performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Count on Yelich remaining hot tonight.

Pick: Over 0.5 hits (-157)

Trea Turner Over/Under 0.5 hits

Trea Turner’s eyes must have lit up when he saw he would be facing Eric Lauer this evening. The sweet-sliding second sacker is hitting .429 lifetime against the Brewers hurler. Granted, he’s only faced him seven times, but it’s not as though Turner is a slouch at the plate. The former Washington Nationals star leads the NL in batting average (.325) and hits (190), and has already eclipsed his single-season high in home runs by six taters (25).

Turner is hitting .404 over the last 14 days and is as close to a sure thing as you’ll find to go Over 0.5 hits tonight.

Pick: Over 0.5 hits (-250)