Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Justin Steele Rack Up the Strikeouts Tonight?

Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Justin Steele Rack Up the Strikeouts Tonight?

We need to be thankful for pitcher strikeout props. I'm serious. Not to sound like a dad here but you younger people have no idea what it was like back in the day without pitcher strikeout props. It really was like walking to school in the snow, uphill both ways. It was crazy. Now we can just throw down on some plus money magic and then bail on the game as early as the third or fourth inning. Point is, whoever came up with the pitcher strikeout prop should be a first-ballot Gambling Hall of Famer. No questions asked. We don't even need to vote. Just put them in. Without that person, we wouldn't have this one for tonight that's for sure.

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Justin Steele 5+ Strikeouts (+100) (Bet $100 to Win $100)

Justin Steele 6+ Strikeouts (+220) (Bet $100 to Win $220)

*Odds Available at FanDuel at Time of Publishing*

We're at FanDuel because as of 11:36 am ET, they are the only book with the cajones to post a line on this kid. DraftKings, BetMGM, Barstool, and PointsBet are still on the sidelines at the moment. I'm sure they will come with something but I wish they would have done it already. Time is money people. Saw that on a bumper sticker once and I've not forgotten that. Still, FanDuel is where we can hit escalators so there is that.

What can I say about Justin Steele? The kid is taking the bull by the horns so far this season. I don't even think it would be weird if he had a picture of himself shirtless taking a bull by the horns hanging up in his home office. If White Goodman can do it, then Justin Steele can too. We're talking about a kid with a 1.93 ERA here people.

The thing about Steele is he hit five strikeouts in his first game of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was his first start and he only got to throw 77 pitches. In his second start, he had to go to Coors Field and take on a Rockies team that just doesn't strike out much. The kid still sat four of them down like a boss. By my math, that's like striking out eight Tampa Bay Rays.

The haters are going to say that Steele throws his fastball too much and he probably does. Whatever. Let the kid throw whatever he wants. They're also going to say the Rays don't strike out the same against lefties as they do against righties. That's true too but go look at the lefty starters they've faced. Cole Irvin? Are these people serious? That guy doesn't strike anyone out! (If he does tonight it's only because he's playing the Orioles and no team has more strikeouts vs lefties this season.) I think the move for us here is to assume he's going to get five and play for the upside of six. It makes sense when you think about it.

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