Prop Bet #1: Sean Manaea over 4.5 strikeouts

-172 on FanDuel

Left-hander Sean Manaea takes over for the New York Mets on Monday, and I'll be backing him in the prop market. He had a strong regular season, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 32 starts.

His underlying metrics were equally strong considering Manaea ranked in the top half of the league in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, walk rate and hard hit rate. That success continued into the playoffs, as he is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in two postseason starts.

Specifically, we'll be backing Manaea to collect five punchouts as he ranks in the top half of the league in both whiff and strikeout rates. He got just six strikeouts in his last game, and I think he'll do the same in Game 2 of the NLCS.

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have an excellent lineup, Manaea is capable of keeping them in check. The southpaw is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in the last two meetings against the Dodgers.

Prop Bet #2: Teoscar Hernandez Under 0.5 Hits

+133 at Caesars

If we support Manaea in limiting Los Angeles hitters, then there should be some hitters we want to fade as well. Enter Teoscar Hernandez, who owns a career .200 BA in 15 plate appearances against Manaea.

Hernandez's biggest weakness as a hitter is his inability to avoid a strikeout, which is why I want to leave him out against Manaea specifically. This season, Hernandez ranked in the 10th percentile or lower in both whiff and strikeout rates.

He went hitless in Game 1 and I expect a repeat of his performance in Game 2.

Prop Bet #3: Enrique Hernandez Under 0.5 Hits

-108 at Caesars

Following the trend of poor contact hitters fading against Manaea, Enrique Hernandez is the other Los Angeles hitter to bet on in the same market. He ranks in the bottom quarter of the league in xwOBA, xBA and barrel rate.

Hernandez should also have problems against Manaea. Through 11 career plate appearances against the left-handed hitter, Hernandez owns a BA of .091 and an xBA of .097.

Regardless of how long Manaea is out there, we should also trust the bullpen that follows him. This season, New York's relievers ranked in the top 12 in the league in both FIP and xFIP.