MLB fans who love a good pitching duel are in the wrong spot.
The pregame narrative: The Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays are destined for a long offseason. They’re both likely about to play a game with plenty of fireworks. Xzavion Curry and Yariel Rodriguez get the ball for their respective squads, and I’m betting on Jonah Bride and Jake Burger to do damage.
Check out the best Blue Jays props vs. the Marlins on Sept. 28.
Blue Jays props vs. Marlins
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Best Bet: Bride over 1.5 total bases (+175)
Bride is showing that he can be a real player at the MLB level and is finishing this season on a high note.
The Marlins infielder is slashing .271/.352/.462 across 69 games this season with 11 home runs.
He’s been especially impressive, however, as the season closes. Here’s how Bride grades out over the last 15 days.
| Category | Stat (League ranking) |
| Hits | 16 (T-11th) |
| Home runs | 5 (T-3rd) |
| Average | .340 (18th) |
| SLG | .723 (8th) |
| OPS | 1.100 (9th) |
Bride delivered in the first game of this series on Friday night. He clobbered two home runs, leading his team to a 15-5 rout of the Blue Jays.
He faces Toronto starter Yariel Rodriguez and that presents a really intriguing matchup. Rodriguez doesn’t pitch deep into games as he’s pitched five innings or fewer in seven consecutive starts.
That’s really bad news for a Blue Jays bullpen that is taxed and has struggled all season long. Jose Berrios only lasted three innings in last night’s rout.
Toronto may have to rely heavily on a bullpen that has the second-worst ERA in baseball (4.83) and has allowed the most homers (91) in the majors.
Bride should be able to stay hot in a matchup that doesn’t scare me at all.
Key stat: Bride has topped this line in five consecutive games.
Quick picks
Burger over 1.5 total bases (+110): Bride isn’t the only Marlins slugger I like to cash in today.
Burger is a great choice to also clear his bases prop. The corner infielder has 29 home runs on the season, and his chances of hitting 30 for a second consecutive season are running out.
Like Bride, Burger is closing out the year in fine form. The slugger enters action on a three-game, multi-hit streak with a double in each of those contests.
Burger has topped this line in seven of his last 10 games and with a juicy matchup on standby, I like his chances at extending this hot stretch.
Picks made at 11:17 a.m. on 09/28/24.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.