Two league leaders face off with the Houston Astros taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in a series opener this Tuesday at Daikin Park. The Astros, with a record of 45-33, lead the American League West, sharing a commendable standing with the New York Yankees.

On the other hand, the Phillies are at the top of the National League East, just behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Framber Valdez (8-4, 3.09 ERA) will pitch for the Astros opposite lefty Ranger Suarez (6-1, 2.20). Valdez is projected for a total strikeout prop of 6.5, while Suarez’s sits at 4.5. As per the SportsLine Projection Model, Valdez is rated Under 6.5 strikeouts as a 4-star play and Suarez Over 4.5 as a 4.5-star play.

However, the model indicates there are better options for today’s 15-game slate, highlighting one pitcher prop with a 5-star rating and two others at 4.5 stars:

Tarik Skubal Under 8.5 strikeouts (-144) vs. Athletics (6:40 p.m. ET)

Rating: 4.5 stars
Model projection: 7.1 strikeouts

Despite an impressive season with a record of 8-2 and a 2.06 ERA, Skubal has missed the mark of 8.5 strikeouts in 10 of 15 starts, recently falling flat on four consecutive occasions.

Jameson Taillon Over 3.5 strikeouts (-125) vs. Cardinals (7:45 p.m. ET)

Rating: 4.5 stars
Model projection: 4.6 strikeouts

This number seems attainable for Taillon (7-4, 3.84), given his performance over the last three where he has achieved Over 3.5 strikeouts in 10 of his starts this season.

Garrett Crochet Under 8.5 strikeouts (-145) vs. Angels (9:38 p.m. ET)

Rating: 5 stars
Model projection: 6.9 strikeouts

This is highlighted as the best play by the model. Although Crochet (7-4, 2.20) has had a stellar season, he has also fallen below 8.5 strikeouts in 10 out of his 16 outings. The Angels, being a tough team for strikeouts against left-handed pitching, have made only 149 strikeouts this season.