Top 5 MLB Player Prop Bets Picks & Predictions: Saturday (9/4)
One of the few remaining storylines of the 2022 MLB season came to a close last night with Albert Pujols launching career home runs 699 and 700 in a dominant win over the Dodgers. Congrats to Albert - one of the best sluggers of our generation. As for today's betting board, we have a good one with a full slate of college football and 15 Major League Baseball games to complement. Below I've narrowed in on my top five player props for today's action.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Francisco Lindor O/U 1.5 Total Bases
The Mets have won seven out of their last eight games, including a 9-2 victory over the visiting Athletics last night. They'll hand the ball to Jacob deGrom today as they continue their quest to win the N.L. East. The Athletics go with Ken Waldichuk in this interleague showdown set for 4:07 p.m ET from Citi Field.
Waldichuk made his Major League debut earlier this month and let's just say that the left-hander's career isn't off to a roaring start. The 24-year-old has made four starts and comes into today's game at 0-2 with a 7.13 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 17.2 innings of work. Most recently, he only lasted 2.2 innings against the Astros, allowing five earned runs on five hits and two walks.
It's a pretty small sample size, but out of three road starts, Waldichuk owns an 8.03 ERA and 2.03 WHIP when pitching away from the Coliseum. Francisco Lindor has never faced the young lefty, but I'm going to take a shot with the over on his total bases at even-money today. The star shortstop is hitting .270 (43rd) on the year with 25 home runs (33rd) and a .795 OPS (45th). I expect these Mets hitters to be highly motivated against a lowly Athletics team as they inch closer to winning the division.
Bet: Francisco Lindor Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100 via DraftKings)
Jeff McNeil O/U 1.5 Total Bases
Keeping it in the same game, I'm going to take the over on Jeff McNeil's total bases number as well. McNeil's batting .317 (3rd) on the year with seven homers and an OPS of .814 (32nd). Additionally, he's one of the best hitters on the team against left-handed pitching as he boasts a .294 average against lefties.
It's worth mentioning that the A's have one of the worst bullpens in baseball as they rank 23rd in bullpen ERA (4.40) and have the 22nd-best WHIP (1.37). The Mets should get plenty of quality opportunities to hit today against a lowly Oakland pitching staff.
Bet: Jeff McNeil Over 1.5 Total Bases (+150 via DraftKings)
George Springer O/U 1.5 Total Bases
The Rays have two consecutive wins to open up their divisional series with the Blue Jays and have now overtaken Toronto in the Wild Card race. Both teams are 84-67 coming into today's game, but Tampa Bay holds the tiebreaker as they lead the season series 10-7. Alek Manoah gets the nod for the Jays while Drew Rasmussen goes for the Rays. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. ET from the Trop.
Rasmussen has been a very efficient option for the Rays this season and enters this one at 10-6 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The right-hander last pitched against the Astros on Monday and allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk over 6.0 innings of work. He was saddled with the loss and Tampa Bay has now lost his last two starts.
This home start should be a good spot for Rasmussen to bounce back. The 27-year-old sees his ERA dip to 2.31 when pitching at Tropicana Field and opponents are hitting just .185 against him there. Furthermore, he's pitched very well against the Jays in his career. Toronto's just 17-88 (.193) against him with only one home run. More specifically, George Springer is hitting only .125 against him over eight at-bats. I'm going to take the under on Springer's total bases this evening.
Bet: George Springer Under 1.5 Total Bases (-145 via DraftKings)
J.P. Crawford O/U 1.5 Total Bases
Seattle's cooled off a bit and they now hold just a 3.0-game edge over the Orioles for the final American League Wild Card spot. They dropped last night's series opener with the Royals 5-1 and they'll look to bounce back as they turn to Logan Gilbert to toe the rubber. Kansas City counters with Kris Bubic in this A.L. matchup set for 7:10 p.m ET from Kauffman.
Bubic has not had a successful 2022 campaign and comes in at 2-13 with a 5.81 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 26 appearances (25 starts). Last time out, the Red Sox torched the southpaw for five earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.2 innings. Bubic took the loss in the game and he's now 0-7 over his last seven starts.
Bubic made one start against the Mariners this year and that came back in April. Seattle got to the lefty for five earned runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.0 innings. All of the damage equates to a 22.50 ERA and .538 batting average against Bubic. J.P. Crawford has had his number throughout their respective careers, going 3-7 (.429) against him with a long ball and a double. I'm going to back the leadoff man to clear 1.5 total bases tonight.
Bet: J.P. Crawford Over 1.5 Total Bases (+115 via DraftKings)
Ty France O/U 1.5 Total Bases
Moving down the order a couple of spots, I'm going to roll with Ty France to record at least two total bases tonight. The first baseman is currently hitting .268 (48th) with 20 big flies (61st) and a .769 OPS (65th). As for the head-to-head stats, France has gone 5-7 (.714) against Bubic with a double.
Kansas City also boasts a pretty poor bullpen. They're 28th in ERA (4.63) and dead last in WHIP (1.48). The M's should be able to get back on track in this game and we should see plenty of offense... at least from Seattle.
Bet: Ty France Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105 via DraftKings)
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