MLB Player Props & Bets: Friday (5/23)
Let’s get the weekend started right. Here are three MLB player props to consider for tonight’s slate.
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Friday’s Best MLB Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Matthew Boyd Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-148)
Matthew Boyd will take the hill for the Chicago Cubs tonight. He’s a lefty pitcher who has struck out 24.8% of batters this season. His strikeout rate was higher last year, but there’s still some time for him to increase this number.
He’ll battle a Cincinnati Reds lineup that has struck out 27% of the time against lefties over the last 30 days. This projected lineup has seven batters striking out at least 23.1% of the time. That gives Boyd a lot of potential for high strikeouts tonight.
In addition, the Reds have hit a .112 ISO and wOBA of .307 against lefties over the last month. The limited power and inconsistent wOBA numbers could help Boyd stick around for six or more innings. If that’s the case, I’d expect him to earn at least six strikeouts tonight.
Starling Marte Over 1.5 Total Bases (+180)
Starling Marte has moved to the two-spot in the Mets’ batting order. He’s a right-handed slugger who has hit a .267 ISO and wOBA of .403 with only 11.1% of strikeouts against lefties over the last month.
Tonight, he’ll battle Clayton Kershaw, who made his season debut in his last start. He faced 17 righties and allowed a .385 ISO and wOBA of .447. Kershaw was one of the best pitchers in the last generation. But his time is up. He struck out 11.8% of righties and walked 17.6% of them. He also allowed 41.7% of line drives to righties in that game.
Marte can take advantage, especially with 76.9% of hard contact against lefties over the last 30 days.
Noah Cameron Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-146)
The Kansas City Royals will give Noah Cameron the ball. He’s a left-handed pitcher who has struck out only 13% of batters this season. It might seem like he’s got an easy matchup against the Twins. After all, the Twins have hit a .087 ISO and wOBA of .299 against lefties over the last 30 days.
However, the projected lineup has also struck out only 17.7% of the time against lefties over the last month. There are just three legitimate targets for Cameron. Yet, six players in the lineup have struck out no more than 16.7% of the time against lefties over the last 30 days.
Cameron has pitched very well with balls in play. But it’s unlikely he’ll add a super high rate of strikeouts. Asking for five is a lot against this Twins lineup. Expect way more fly balls and line drives than strikeouts.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: