MLB player prop picks hit harder in the World Series, and with Game 1 ready to unfold, I'm stoked to dive into the props market. The Yankees and Dodgers have played some sharp baseball in October, and with their high profiles, plenty of betting action will unfold.

Here are my two MLB player prop picks for Game 1 of the World Series:

MLB Player Prop Pick Game 1: Gerrit Cole OVER 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (+100)

Cole has excellent splits vs Dodgers hitters (.665 OPS), but here's the problem with hitter/batter splits: in this case, Kevin Kiermaier is dragging the whole sample size down. KK is 5-for-41 lifetime vs Cole with 21 Ks. Spoiler: Kiermaier is not playing Game 1.

Freddie Freeman, Enrique Hernandez, and Mookie Betts all have fantastic numbers vs Cole, especially in the power department. We know Cole's power pitching style is conducive to homers, so I'm leaning toward the OVER 2.5 earned runs compared to the hits or strikeouts prop market. 

This prop has gone OVER in just one of Cole's three starts this postseason, but the Dodgers have a smoldering offense. Los Angeles hit 20 homers in 11 playoff games, and I anticipate the club victimizing Cole in Game 1.

MLB Player Prop Pick Game 1: Anthony Rizzo OVER 0.5 Total Bases (-145)

Jack Flaherty is in trouble here for Game 1. The Dodgers righty is coming off an absolute atrocity of a start vs the Mets, where he yielded eight runs, four walks, and didn't record a strikeout. Flaherty is prone to command blow-ups, and even a minor misstep spells dangerous against the middle of the Yankees order.

This time, I'm betting on Rizzo to come through. Rizzo is 6-for-14 this postseason with five singles and a double. He also has no RBIs. My man is just ripping singles and calling it quits. That's fine for our prop, which hinges on one base hit from the Yankees first baseman. Rizzo is also 9-for-21 with three homers vs Flaherty, giving him a strong chance to pick up an early hit.