Top 3 MLB Player Prop Bets & Picks: Thursday (4/17)
Thursday’s 10-game MLB slate is fuller than usual, given that it is a popular mid-week getaway day. It does give us plenty of opportunities to cash in on some player prop wagers. Today’s three player props are centered around two of the hottest National League hitters in the sport over the last week and fades a lineup that has been one of the sport’s best on the road this season.
Read on for our top MLB player prop bets for Thursday, April 17th.
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Thursday's Best MLB Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Corbin Carroll Over 0.5 Runs (-120)
The Diamondbacks entered Wednesday red-hot, having won three straight games and five of their previous six, while owning a +13 run differential in that span.
Arizona had averaged 5.5 runs per game in that span, and Corbin Carroll was a big reason why. Carroll hit his third career grand slam in Tuesday’s 10-4 win over the Marlins. He had a .441 batting average, three home runs, a triple, five doubles and nine RBI during an eight-game hitting streak.
I would not put anyone off backing Carroll to go over 0.5 RBI at +160 odds, but his ability to steal bases makes him a threat to get into scoring position whenever he is on first base. Marlins righty Edward Cabrera ranks in the bottom fourth of the league in expected ERA (xERA), expected batting average (xBA), walk rate and barrels, so Arizona’s offensive success should continue up and down the lineup.
James Wood Over 0.5 RBI (+210)
Nationals left fielder James Wood entered Wednesday having hit five home runs and driving in 10 runs in the previous eight games. In that span, he slugged .828 with a 1.275 OPS.
Wood is a left-handed hitter who bats much better against southpaws. He has a .318 batting average and .818 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers compared to a .200 batting average and .450 slugging percentage versus righties.
I expect Wood to do damage against journeyman Andrew Heaney, who is coming off a career-worst 22.9% strikeout rate and ranks in the 20th percentile in whiff percentage thus far.
Brady Singer Under 2.5 Earned Runs (-155)
Reds righty Brady Singer has won all three of his starts while pitching to a 3.18 ERA. Singer has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two starts. He faces a Mariners team ranked second in the majors with a 131 wRC+ in road games entering Wednesday.
However, the Reds as a whole entered yesterday on a four-game winning streak (and went 7-2 in their last nine), while holding opponents to four runs or fewer in six of the seven wins. I expect Singer to keep the momentum of the pitching staff going, especially since he has allowed one home run in 17 innings, which should foil a Mariners lineup ranked fourth in slugging (.419) in road games.
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.