Top 5 MLB Player Props for Friday, July 22 (2022)
Baseball is back and will be in full swing today. We start the second half with a glorious 14-game slate. A slate this large presents a lot of opportunities, particularly when it comes to player props. However, I’ve made things easy for you and narrowed down the slate to just five plays. So let’s dive in and set the tone for the second half with a winning day.
Adam Wainwright Over 3.5 Strikeouts (-167)
St. Louis vs. Cincinnati 6:40 pm ET
Ol’ Uncle Charlie has proven he still got it, even at the ripe old age of 40. Wainwright has been solid this season as he enters with a 3.00 record through 18 starts. His stuff may be diminishing, but he’s still found a way to get it by plenty of hitters. Tonight he’ll face a Reds team that will begin the second half with the fourth highest strikeout rate in the majors. Given the matchup, this total is far too low. Wainwright has had four or more strikeouts in 66.7 percent of his starts. That gives him implied odds of -200. Bet this to 4.5 as he could have up to six strikeouts tonight.
Jameson Taillon Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-104)
New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles 7:05 pm ET
Taillon has been tracking up the punchouts of late, and tonight he gets to face Baltimore, who has the eighth highest strikeout rate in the league. He’s gone over this total in ten of his eighteen starts, including seven of his last ten outings. He should be raring to go as he’s had a whole week of rest, which will be trouble for the Orioles. Take the over here as this line should be closer to -125.
Cole Irvin Over 5.5 Hits Allowed (-120)
Texas vs. Oakland 9:40 pm ET
Irvin’s peripheral numbers may look good, but a closer look will reveal just how fortunate he’s been. He ranks in the bottom 25 percent of the majors in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and as a result, xBA as well. Irvin pitches to contact, and while he has been generating outs, they have not come without working around many hits. He faces a Texas lineup that has been scorching hot of late and started the second half with a good performance yesterday. He’s allowed six hits or more in 62.5 percent of his starts, which gives him implied odds of -166 to go over again tonight, which he should, given the matchup.
Spencer Howard Over 1.5 Walks (+120)
Texas vs. Oakland 9:40 pm ET
Command has been an issue for Howard in his six appearances this season. He’s allowed nine walks in 14 innings of work, and five came in his last start against Seattle. Oakland is not a team that walks much, but given his previous outing, even if Howard cuts down the walks, he should go over the total tonight. His implied odds are +100, so there is a good bit of value, especially at plus money.
Jose Urquidy Under 18.5 Pitching Outs (-135)
Houston vs. Seattle 10:10 pm ET
Urquidy gets the pleasure of facing the hottest team in baseball to start the second half. Seattle comes into this matchup as winners of 14 straight. Their offense has been red-hot, with superstar rookie Julio Rodriguez leading the way. However, they’ve also gotten even better as Kyle Lewis is back from injury. Aside from the matchup, Urquidy is not a pitcher that goes deep into games. He’s gone past six innings in just two of his seventeen starts this year. If Seattle remains hot tonight, it’s almost a lock he exits early again.
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