It's a slim six-game slate in the MLB on Thursday. Luckily, the action is wall-to-wall with the first game getting underway just after noon ET. There's no shortage of ways to get some skin in the game, including heading to the prop sheet for some MLB player props. Let's dive into my top four picks for Thursday, April 9th.
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Thursday's Top MLB Player Props
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Elly De La Cruz 2+ Hits + Runs + RBIs (-111)
Let's get the day started by backing one of the game's best young stars. I'm taking Elly De La Cruz to register 2+ combined hits + runs + RBIs against the Marlins. De La Cruz has cleared this number in seven of his last eight games. Over the last 14 days, the Reds infielder has a wOBA of .347 (68th).
De La Cruz will be taking on Miami's Max Meyer, who hasn't been overpowering in 2026 with a 4.66 ERA. Cincinnati's current lineup is slashing .357/.400/.607 against him over 28 head-to-head at-bats. That includes De La Cruz, who is 3-for-6 (.500) with a pair of doubles. Let's ride with De La Cruz in this matinee clash in Miami.
Giancarlo Stanton Under 0.5 Hits (+142)
New York's Giancarlo Stanton started the season on an absolute tear, but he has come back down to earth recently. Over the last seven days, he has a wOBA of just .227. He is hitting .190 in five games this month, and he has gone hitless in two of his five outings in April.
Stanton will face off against the Athletics' Jeffrey Springs, who has been sharp with a 2.38 ERA (24th) and a 0.97 WHIP (22nd) this season. The Yankees are slashing .182/.308/.212 against him across a 33-at-bat sample size, which includes Stanton, who's 0-for-4 (.000) with three strikeouts. I'll take the +142 payout to say Stanton goes hitless.
Francisco Lindor Under 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs (-107)
It has been a brutal start to the season for New York's Francisco Lindor, who's hitting .149 with a .566 OPS. Lindor has stayed under this line in six of his last eight games.
I'll fade Lindor in this spot against the untouchable Eduardo Rodriguez. He has made two starts this season, posting a 0.00 ERA (first) and a 0.92 WHIP (16th). The southpaw has owned Lindor throughout his career, limiting him to 5-for-22 (.227) with a home run and a double.
Seth Lugo Over 17.5 Pitching Outs Recorded (-142)
Kansas City's Seth Lugo is proving to be a dependable arm, even at the age of 36. The right-hander brings in a 1.59 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over two starts (11.1 innings). He has completed six or more innings in one of his two outings this year.
I expect Lugo to keep things rolling tonight against the lowly White Sox. Their current roster is slashing an underwhelming .182/.222/.242 against him over 33 at-bats. Chicago is just 28th in wOBA (.284) and strikeout rate (29%) this season, while sitting 26th in wRC+ (82). Look for a potential Lugo masterclass at home tonight.
