It's slim pickings for sports bettors on Thursday, with only five MLB games scheduled for play. However, there's still value to be had from a home run prop bet perspective, as dependable sluggers and advantageous showdowns are lined up for action. Here's a look at four players set up to send a ball over the fence on August 1.
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Thursday's Best MLB Home Run Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Ian Happ (+550)
Something about Wrigley Field makes Ian Happ step up his game. The outfielder ranks 16th among MLB hitters in OPS during home matchups (.909) and leads the Cubs with 21 extra-base hits at home. Take note that 12 of Happ’s 17 homers in 2024 have come against right-handed pitchers, too. As a result, seeing right-hander Sonny Gray etched on the lineup card in Chicago on Tuesday evening has to be exciting for Happ.
That feeling likely isn’t reciprocated on the mound as Gray has struggled to send Happ back to the dugout in prior showdowns. Happ has slashed .438/.471/.813 with four extra-base hits in 17 career plate appearances against the veteran Cardinals starter. Gray has been tagged for five home runs over his last two road starts and has not displayed the same level of consistency he has in years past. Expect Happ to take advantage.
Logan O’Hoppe (+500)
Logan O’Hoppe has been a bright spot on an otherwise mediocre Angels offense. The 24-year-old has posted the second-best slugging percentage among MLB catchers (.466) and checks in fourth in the American League with a 40.8% launch angle sweet spot percentage. The power in his swing has been unlocked. O’Hoppe crushed his 15th home run of the season on Wednesday night, which surpassed his 2023 total of 14.
Facing the Rockies provides O’Hoppe with another favorable chance to go yard. Colorado has logged the worst team WHIP (1.53) and given up the fourth-most homers in the league (138) entering August. Ryan Feltner will take the mound on Thursday behind his lackluster 4.99 ERA and 1-10 record. Of course, it benefits O’Hoppe that Angels Stadium also ranks ninth in offensive park factors since the start of the 2022 campaign, per Baseball Savant.
Gunnar Henderson (+425) and Colton Cowser (+425)
Cleveland starter Ben Lively has his work cut out for him on Thursday. The Orioles lead the sport with 171 home runs and remain stacked top to bottom with incredible young hitters. Lively has allowed at least one dinger in six of his last eight starts and does not average more than 91 mph on any of the pitches in his arsenal. That leaves him susceptible to hard contact when batters successfully adjust their timing at the plate.
Let’s take two stabs at cashing a prop bet here. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson’s .396 on-base percentage in away games is the fifth-best mark in the Majors and his .969 OPS against right-handed pitching is the sixth-best mark. Meanwhile, outfielder Colton Cowser is riding a 13-game hitting streak and has tallied two jacks in his past three contests. Those in search of a riskier option can parlay these two pros for a shot at a hefty payout.
