MLB Player Props & Bets: Thursday (4/2)
We have a slim three-game MLB slate today, but there's still plenty of different ways to get in on the action. I'm heading to the props market, where I've narrowed in on three MLB player props from around the league.
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Thursday’s Best MLB Player Props
(Odds courtesy of Fanatics Sportsbook)
Vinnie Pasquantino Under 1.5 Total Bases (-140)
It has been a slow start to the season for Kansas City's Vinnie Pasquantino, who's hitting just .176 with a .569 OPS through five games. The slugger has gone hitless in three of his five games, staying under the 1.5 total bases mark in three of those five outings.
Pasquantino will face Minnesota's Taj Bradley this afternoon. He's 0-for-8 (.000) lifetime against the 25-year-old hurler. Kansas City as a whole is slashing just .109/.140/.145 against him across 55 at-bats. Factor in that Bradley looked sharp in his 2026 debut, holding the Orioles to one earned run on three hits over 4.1 innings, and this looks like a decent spot to back him.
Dominic Smith 2+ Hits + Runs + RBIs (+105)
Dominic Smith has been on fire to start his tenure with the Atlanta Braves, hitting .385 with a 1.044 OPS in 13 at-bats. This sample size includes his walk-off grand slam in his Braves debut this past Saturday.
Smith has played in four games this season, clearing 1.5 combined hits + runs + RBIs on three occasions. He has at least one hit in all four appearances.
Atlanta's offense can rake, and I expect them to take advantage of a mediocre pitcher like Ryne Nelson. Nelson got lit up by the Dodgers last time out, conceding four runs over 4.2 innings.
Smith is 3-for-4 (.750) against Nelson with a double and a walk. When factoring in that the Diamondbacks rank 23rd in relief ERA (5.75), combined with all of the talent surrounding Smith in the Braves' lineup, I like this play a lot at +105 odds.
David Peterson Under 17.5 Outs Recorded (-125)
With this player prop, we're wagering that New York's David Peterson will not make it through six full innings against San Francisco tonight. The left-hander cut down the Pirates (zero earned runs) in his season debut, but lasted only 5.1 innings in the no-decision effort. Dating back to last season, Peterson hasn't completed six frames in six straight starts.
The Giants’ offensive struggles have been well-documented to start the season. They're just 29th in OPS (.558). However, this could be a decent breakout spot for them, as the current roster is slashing .253/.364/.320 against Peterson over 75 at-bats.
When you start to play this out, Peterson could unravel as he approaches the third time through the batting order. Looking back at his career splits, all of his key numbers, such as opposing batting average (.273), wOBA (.342) and slugging rate (.448), rise when facing a lineup a third time through.
Even though San Francisco's lineup has been underwhelming, the stars at the top should either chase Peterson early or get him mid-game when taking their third at-bats against him.