The MLB season is in full swing. Every Friday in this column, we will seek to attack pitcher matchups. We won't bore you with exclusively under only plays, but we won't shy away from them if they offer more value than usual. Total strikeouts, outs recorded, and as the season progresses, total hits and total bases; they're all in play. Let’s dig into our top MLB player props and picks for Friday’s slate of games.
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MLB Player Props & Bets: Friday (5/1)
Season Record: 11-4
Mookie Betts Over 1.5 Total Bases (-130 at Bet365)
Mookie Betts projects as a strong total bases play this evening, thanks to a sparkling .341 batting average in 12 career at-bats against Matthew Liberatore. Betts has been on a tear lately, collecting nine hits in his last five games for a .429 batting average and 1.140 OPS. He has three multi-hit games in those five contests. Liberatore has been struggling against right handed hitters this season, allowing a .537 slugging percentage. He has been poor overall, relinquishing a 4.75 ERA and 1.55 WHIP on the season, making him a pitcher to target heavily when given strong hitter matchups to exploit.
Freddie Freeman Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI (-140 at Fanatics Sportsbook)
Freeman has been rock solid so far this season for Los Angeles, batting .305 with a .398 OBP. He has really picked it up as of late, going 8-19 in his last five games for a pristine .421 batting average. Freeman has had success against the southpaw in his career and comes into this contest with a .312 batting average over eight at-bats. This is another case of attacking a strong Liberatore matchup. Fire up Freeman for Friday at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Ketel Marte OVER 0.5 Hits (-194 at Kalshi)
Ketel Marte has struggled this season and comes into this contest with a paltry .239 batting average. However, he has picked up steam lately, collecting at least one hit in each of his last seven games. Marte has racked up seven hits in his last five games, for a .368 batting average (7-19). Ketel has had his share of success against Colin Rea in his career, sporting a .305 batting average over 11 at-bats; two of the hits were doubles. Rea has been impressive this season, so this is solely riding a hot bat against a pitcher he has had success against in the past. Mash the over on Marte for Friday's action at Kalshi despite the heavy juice.
Raju Byfield is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Raju, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyContext.