With the blistering heat of the MLB season in full swing, we're about to witness a classic East Coast showdown as the Washington Nationals take on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Carlos Rodón has recorded under 5.5 strikeouts in all of his starts this year, barring one where he managed to scrape up six. That's not exactly the stuff of legend, but when you’re playing the numbers game, it's just the kind of consistent underperformance that could spell out a win.

And then, let's talk about the Nationals. If there's one thing we know about the Nats, it's that they don't strike out easy. In fact, they hold the second-lowest strikeout percentage in the league. So, a matchup between a pitcher who's struggling to rack up strikeouts and a team that's notoriously hard to strike out? That's the kinda setup that screams "under!"

Now, let's not forget Rodón's recent stint on the IL with a hamstring injury. We know he struggled before his departure, letting up nine earned runs over less than seven total innings against the Astros and the Rays. It's safe to say that Rodón's return to the mound isn’t exactly a triumphant one, which could  impact his strikeout potential.

Past performance is often the most reliable predictor of future outcomes and in this case, Rodón's consistent under 5.5 strikeouts and the Nationals' low strikeout rate could be the perfect storm for those looking to place a smart, data-driven bet. 

So, while the Yankees might be the -180 favorites leading into this game, the real action lies in Rodón's strikeout under. The Nationals vs Yankees game is more than just another entry in the MLB calendar. It's a chance to capitalize on the data and make some money. 

Official Play: Carlos Rodon u5.5 K's (-115)

Written By @Rosser_Sports