Monday, July 17 MLB props, odds, trends: Bettors mixed on starting pitchers Jesus Luzardo, Miles Mikolas in Marlins vs. Cardinals matchup

Who would have guessed that on the first Monday after the 2023 MLB All-Star Break that the Miami Marlins would have the fourth-best record in the National League and looked like likely buyers ahead of the trade deadline, and that the St. Louis Cardinals would have one of the NL's worst records and be a seller? The diverging teams open a series at Busch Stadium on Monday, and both starting pitchers are among the five most-wagered players in MLB prop action at DraftKings.

Miami was swept in three games over the weekend in Baltimore. It was the first time a team other than the Braves swept the Marlins this year. Miami has lost eight of 13 overall after winning 23 of its previous 31. The Marlins could have started lefty Jesus Luzardo on normal rest Sunday but opted to go for a bullpen day, and that backfired as Miami was down 3-0 after an inning and never caught up.

Luzardo (9-5, 3.29 ERA) will start Monday, and Luzardo Over 6.5 strikeouts at +115 is taking heavy action. The southpaw is 10th in the majors with 129 Ks, so he averages 6.8 per outing. Luzardo has struck out at least eight in four straight and has eight starts with at least eight strikeouts overall, tied for the second-most among NL pitchers this season. Luzardo has 11 strikeouts in 10.1 career innings against the Cardinals.

St. Louis won two of three at home vs. Washington to kick off the second half but it's probably too little too late for this team. GM John Mozeliak has already said he will trade players away. Right-hander Miles Mikolas (5-5, 4.12 ERA) seems likely to stay put as he's under contract through 2024, whereas fellow starters Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are pending free agents, so they are much more likely to be dealt.

Mikolas Under 16.5 outs recorded against the Marlins at -120 is the most-wagered MLB prop on the board currently. There's an obvious reason why he will not go very deep: Mikolas started Friday vs. Washington and threw three shutout innings before the game was suspended by rain. Because Mikolas only tossed 34 pitches, the team was comfortable bringing him back so quickly, but how long is St. Louis willing to leave him out there?

Other popular MLB props tonight at DraftKings:

• Angels' Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 total bases (-130) vs. Yankees
• Dodgers' Mookie Betts Over 1.5 total bases (-130) at Orioles
• Giants Logan Webb Over 2.5 total earned runs allowed (-145) at Reds

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