Just like that, we are nearing the end of August, and inch closer to playoff baseball. Through the first 130 games or so, the Sleeper Player Prediction series has faired pretty well, sitting at a 63.2% hit rate across 291 different player predictions. Let’s keep that success going strong as we make our way into September. Here are three of my favorite player predictions for Friday, August 30.
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Just like that, we are nearing the end of August, and inch closer to playoff baseball. Through the first 130 games or so, the Sleeper Player Prediction series has faired pretty well, sitting at a 63.2% hit rate across 291 different player predictions. Let’s keep that success going strong as we make our way into September. Here are three of my favorite player predictions for Friday, August 30.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
MLB Sleeper Picks Player Predictions
Sleeper Record: 184-107 (63.2%)
Ranger Suarez made his return to the mound last Saturday after a month off on the injured list (IL). He looked pretty sharp, particularly in the strikeout department in a tough punchout matchup against the Royals. He finished with six in that one despite going just five innings (72 pitches). He should see his pitch count creep up into the 80s in this one and draws a fairly weak Braves lineup. They are seventh in K% (27.1%) against lefties over the past 30 days. Suarez has handled them just fine in his two starts against them this year, racking up seven strikeouts in each outing. He has found at least five strikeouts in 14 of his 20 starts on the season.
Blake Snell couldn’t find the zone last start, but still had a no-hitter in his three innings of work. All jokes aside, that was a brutal outing from him, but before that, he was on an absolute heater. He held a 1.14 ERA (1.71 FIP) and 39.6% K% in his seven starts before the blowup. He found eight punchouts in six of those starts. Tonight he takes on an inexperienced Marlins squad, whom he should have no trouble carving up, assuming he can find the zone. I’m willing to take a shot on him knowing what he is capable of.
Zac Gallen has not had the season we all anticipated from him, but he is still capable of finding five strikeouts on any given night. That hasn’t been as much the case this year, but the track record for his career speaks volumes. Since 2021, he has gone over this mark in 78 out of 110 starts (71%). I’ll admit, if it weren’t for the nine-strikeout outing against the Red Sox last start, I probably wouldn’t have come to this prop, but I’ll give Gallen another shot against the Dodgers. Their roster has a 25.8% K% and .269 xwOBA across 159 combined plate appearances against him. We’re only asking for five from Gallen. Please come through for us.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday:
Tyler is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from him, follow @808Paperboi
