MLB PrizePicks Player Predictions: Saturday (5/20)

Another week, another chance to profit. Last Sunday, we went 1-1-1 to bring our now three-week overall record to 9-8-1. I'm ready to continue pushing that win-column number toward the moon. The MLB season continues to deliver huge offensive production and run totals, and after my daily review, it looks like I'll be making some contrarian picks to that on today's full slate. Let's dive into some props.

Saturday’s Best MLB PrizePicks Player Predictions

Here are my favorite PrizePicks picks for today.

Louie Varland Under 5.5 Pitcher Strikeouts

Varland has been impressive for the Twins in 2023, eclipsing his pitcher strikeout totals in each of his four outings so far. On Saturday, he will be set to face Mike Trout and the Angels for the first time in his career.

Saturday’s Best MLB PrizePicks Player Predictions

Here are my favorite PrizePicks picks for today.

Louie Varland Under 5.5 Pitcher Strikeouts

Los Angeles is ranked 12^th in the MLB in hitter strikeouts per game, averaging just 8.46 team punchouts daily. The Angels have also come around a bit in the scoring department recently, averaging just under five runs scored per game over their last five. Varland has thrived in the strikeout department by getting hitters to chase, as his stuff is not extremely overpowering. The Angels sit in the middle of the pack as a team in terms of chase percentage at 27.8, and their xBA is one of the highest in the league. I feel good about tonight being the night Varland fails to reach his strikeout prop, and if it ends up moving upwards throughout the day, there will be even more value to be had.

Andy Ibanez Under 1.5 Total Bases

Pitching matchup aside, I cannot for the life of me figure out why Andy Ibanez has a 1.5 TB prop today. He has eclipsed his prop total just once over his past five outings, and he has just two total bases (both in the same game) over that time period. Sure, Patrick Corbin is bad at pitching, but Ibanez has proven equally bad at hitting.

Ibanez is 13-for-56 (.232) this season with just six total extra-base hits. His line today insinuates that he will either collect his seventh XBH or finish the game with multiple hits, a feat he has accomplished just three times across 18 total games. I'll take the under on the unproven 30-year-old in this one.

Jose Altuve Under 8.5 Hitter Fantasy Score

Making a pick against the Astros and for the Athletics feels like the type of play that could backfire terribly, but I'm planting my flag regardless. Jose Altuve is fresh off a lengthy IL stint and is still getting back up to speed on major-league hitting.

He struggled in his debut on Friday against Oakland, reaching base once on a walk but ultimately finishing 0-for-4 against the southpaw Ken Waldichuk and company. On Saturday, Altuve is not expected to be facing much of an upgrade in JP Sears, but no matter. The 33-year-old second baseman went just 2-for-22 during his injury rehab assignments and looked a touch slow with his bat speed. 8.5 is a big number to step back into, particularly when returning from such an extended period off. I'm riding with the under in Altuve's second game back.

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Saturday:

Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>