Rangers vs Diamondbacks World Series Game 5 Player Prop Bets: Eovaldi Shines in the Desert

Prop bet #1: Snake Charmer

Take one look at any Nathan Eovaldi odds or boxscores and you can tell he's been the Texas Rangers' ace this postseason, and they're riding his pitching to what could be the final game of the playoffs.

He’s made five postseason starts during this playoff run — Texas has won all five — while striking out 36 batters over 30 2/3 innings. To say he’s been phenomenal for Texas would be an understatement.

Eovaldi has pitched into the sixth inning in four of those five starts, with the only exception coming in Game 1 against the D-Backs. The Snakes roughed him up for five earned runs, and he was chased after 4 2/3 frames. In nine of his 11 career postseason starts, Eovaldi has pitched 16 outs or more, and I expect the Rangers ace to continue that trend tonight.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have had a terrific season and exceeded all expectations, and for all of their success, they looked deflated after getting thumped Tuesday night. 

The Snakes aren’t going to slither away and quietly disappear into the Arizona desert. Still, Eovaldi frustrates hitters because he has great command of his four-seamer and straight changeup. Arizona will be pressing, and Eovaldi should be able to take advantage of this and exceed his 15.5 Outs prop.

Nathan Eovaldi prop: Over 15.5 outs (+115 at BetMGM)

Prop bet #2: Nitro Nathan

I believe the Rangers ace nicknamed “Nitro” will pitch more than 15 outs, and if he does, he'll exceed his strikeout prop as well.

Texas has a 3-1 commanding lead in this series, and Eovaldi is pitching with house money. He has great command and is always around the strike zone. Eovaldi goes after hitters with every pitch, and that’s especially been the case during this postseason. The Texas hurler struck out five or more in four of his five playoff starts, with only Houston keeping him under that number back in the ALCS.

The Diamondbacks aren't as aggressive on offense. They boasted one of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball during the regular season, but have struck out 31 times over 159 plate appearances during this series and eight times during Game 1 against the Rangers ace.

Nathan Eovaldi prop: Over 4.5 strikeouts (+110 at BetMGM)

Prop bet #3: Home cooking

Zac Gallen odds are showing the Arizona Diamondbacks ace has a very obtainable outs prop. He didn’t pitch poorly in his Game 1 loss at Texas but got behind in the count, made too many pitches, and got the hook after five innings and three earned runs.

Game 1 was the first start over his five postseason trips to the hill that he didn’t pitch past 16 outs. That outing was a slight aberration from his other playoff starts, but he’s pitching at home tonight, where he has plenty of confidence.

Gallen seems to come alive at Chase Field and was the NL Cy Young frontrunner for much of this season because of his pronounced pitching edge at home. Gallen threw for 10.5 strikeouts with 1.59 walks and 0.62 bombs per nine frames with a 2.66 xFIP at Chase this season.

The Rangers want to end this tonight, and they have an aggressive offense with players like Corey Seager, who can hit the ball a mile. Gallen has used that mentality against hitters all season long at the pitcher-friendly Chase Field, and he'll go there once again tonight.

Finally, the Diamondbacks bullpen is gassed, the Snakes have their collective backs to the wall, and they need their ace to step up in a park where he’s dominated hitters for most of this season. Gallen may or may not dominate the Rangers, but he should exceed 15.5 Outs tonight. 

Zac Gallen prop: Over 15.5 outs (-105 at BetMGM)