Monday, August 22 MLB odds, props, trends: Biggest money on Astros' Cristian Javier, Braves' Matt Olson

A very important series in the American League wild card race opens tonight when the Red Sox visit the Astros, and struggling right-hander Cristian Javier gets the ball for Houston. He is taking the most player prop action on the DraftKings MLB board,  followed by Braves slugger and MLB co-home run leader Matt Olson vs. the Mets.

Houston still could win the AL East as it trails Texas by only 2.5 games, and the Astros hold the AL's second wild card spot but are five games behind Tampa Bay for the top. Houston has routes to both getting a first-round bye and missing the playoffs altogether, although the latter is highly doubtful. Boston has no chance to win the AL East and is three games back of Seattle for the AL's final playoff spot.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora was Houston's bench coach in 2017 and reportedly one of the masterminds behind the infamous cheating scheme. MLB suspended Cora for the 2020 season after two seasons with the Sox, but he then returned as Boston manager starting in 2021.

Javier is 8-2 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 23 starts this year for Houston, on pace for his worst statistical season (even though the record looks nice). Javier Under 5.5 strikeouts (-135) is the evening's top prop. He averages 4.9 Ks per start but hasn't topped it in his past three, largely because he's failed to complete five full innings each time.

When Javier gets wild, he's not out there long. That said, he does tend to pitch better in Houston. Javier's home ERA (2.67) has been over a run and a half better than his road ERA (4.23). Javier has 23 strikeouts in 18 career innings vs. Boston.

Olson and the Angels' Shohei Ohtani are tied for the MLB dinger lead with 43 and Olson Over 0.5 homers (+295) is the No. 2 prop in terms of action. Olson does have a six-game homerless drought. He's homered in 36 of 123 games this season (29.3%). Overall against the Mets in 2023, Olson has gone yard four times in 40 at-bats. Against Mets starter David Peterson, he's 3-for-11 with three homers.

Tonight's other popular MLB player props at DraftKings:

Mariners' Julio Rodriguez Over 1.5 total bases (-105) at White Sox: Rodriguez had a streak of four straight four-hit games end Sunday but still had another knock.

Phillies' Aaron Nola Over 6.5 strikeouts (-110) vs. Giants: Nola is T8 in the NL with 160 strikeouts and ninth in strikeouts per nine innings at 9.39.

Astros' Kyle Tucker Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-145) vs. Red Sox: Tucker is starting after sitting the previous three with an illness.

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