Top 3 MLB Player Props for Sunday, August 7th (2022)
All 30 teams are set to take the field today as we wrap up another week of Major League Baseball. Action gets underway at 12:05 p.m. ET with the Astros squaring off against the Guardians in Cleveland. The day concludes with an N.L. West showdown between the Padres and Dodgers in Los Angeles. It could be a deflating series for San Diego if they drop tonight’s game and get swept out of town – especially after the moves to bring in Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Josh Hader.
Anyway, here are my top three player props for today’s 15-game slate.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Triston McKenzie O/U 4.5 Strikeouts
The Guardians look to salvage a series split this afternoon as they turn to Triston McKenzie to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. The Astros counter with Cristian Javier in this A.L. clash set for 12:05 p.m. ET from Progressive Field.
McKenzie hasn’t had his best stuff over his last two outings. The right-hander was tagged for five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 6.0 innings against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Previously, he’d given up four earned runs against the Red Sox on Thursday in a losing effort. Despite the recent woes, McKenzie is 7-8 with a 3.38 ERA (28th) and 1.00 WHIP (10th) in 20 appearances (19 starts) this year.
He’ll be running into a Houston team that has had his number historically. The Astros are 10-35 (.286) against him with four home runs and two doubles. More importantly, they’ve only struck out five times against McKenzie over 38 plate appearances. It’s also worth noting that the Astros have the fourth lowest K% (19.8%) in the Majors this year. If they can drag out at-bats and run up McKenzie’s pitch count, I think we have a great shot to clear the under on his strikeout total.
Bet: Triston McKenzie Under 4.5 Strikeouts (+115 via DraftKings)
Jose Altuve O/U 1.5 Total Bases
Let’s keep it in the same game and build off of the “McKenzie fade.†Jose Altuve has seen the right-hander well in his career, going 3-6 (.500) against him with a pair of home runs and a double.
The star infielder is hitting .284 (34th) with 19 home runs (28th) and an OPS of .879 (12th). He’s 5-13 (.386) in this series with a pair of doubles. I think it’s worth a shot to take the over on his total bases today with a plus-money payout.
Bet: Jose Altuve Over 1.5 Total Bases (+110 via DraftKings)
Corbin Burnes O/U 9.5 Strikeouts
The Brewers are not taking advantage of a six-game stretch against the lowly Pirates and Reds. They’re 1-4 over their last five games and will turn to Corbin Burnes to try and win their three-game set with Cincinnati this afternoon. As for the Red Legs, they’ll go with Graham Ashcraft in this divisional matchup set for 2:10 p.m. ET from Milwaukee.
If it wasn’t for Sandy Alcantara (-250 via DraftKings), Corbin Burnes (+800) would easily be on pace to win his second straight Cy Young award. The right-hander comes into today’s action at 8-5 with a 2.49 ERA (8th) and 0.95 WHIP (6th) over 21 starts this season. Most recently, Burnes threw against the Pirates and gave up four earned runs on three hits and five walks over 5.1 innings pitched.
I expect Burnes to bounce back in a big way against Cincinnati this afternoon and carve them up. Burnes is second in the Majors in punchouts with 166 and running into a Reds team that strikes out 23.9% of the time. That’s the fourth-highest rate amongst Major League teams. As for head-to-head numbers, the Reds are 11-38 (.290) against Burnes, but have struck out in 13 of those 38 at-bats (34.2%). 10 punchouts is a high mark, but I think Burnes can will his way to double digits considering the Crew are desperate for a win.
Bet: Corbin Burnes Over 9.5 Strikeouts (+120 via DraftKings)
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