Anthony Santander and Lawrence Butler have been among the MLB's hottest hitters of late, and both of them homered yesterday.
Elly De La Cruz has been hot as well and got a day off as the Reds head to Tampa Bay tonight.
I will be backing Santander, Butler and De La Cruz tonight and hopefully they lead the way to a profitable evening to begin the weekend.
So, with that said, let's dive into our top MLB player props for Friday, July 26.
MLB Player Props: Friday, July 26
- Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-120, BetMGM)
- Anthony Santander Over 0.5 RBI (+120, DraftKings)
- Lawrence Butler Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120, DraftKings)
On Tuesday, the Reds and Braves were rained out in Atlanta, and the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader was rained out as well. Bad weather may be the best way to slow down De La Cruz at the moment, but that won't be a factor tonight at the Tropicana Dome.
De La Cruz enters tonight's game on an 11-game hitting streak. In that span, he's hitting .378 with 10 runs scored, three home runs, six runs batted in and a 1.184 OPS. He also has eight stolen bases in that span and now 51 for the season.
If De La Cruz swipes a bag tonight, one of his teammates will be able to drive him in with a single, as opposed to an extra-base hit. Spencer Steer has 64 RBI on the year and has driven in De La Cruz 16 times.
De La Cruz hasn't faced Tampa Bay right-hander Shane Baz, but I like his chances to get on base at some point. In his three starts this season, Baz has allowed 17 hits and seven walks in 13 2/3 innings for a 1.76 WHIP. Both of the home runs he's allowed were to left-handed hitters, who are hitting .364 against him with a 1.053 OPS.
De La Cruz also has five hits in his last two games, and another multi-hit game would also cash this line. He's cleared this line in six of his last nine games, averaging three hits + runs + runs batted in per game.
Tonight, we only need two from him.
Pick: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-120)
Another player entering today on an 11-game hitting streak is Santander. During his streak, Santander is hitting .333 with a double, triple, five home runs and 10 runs batted in.
The five home runs have come in his last seven games, and he's +375 on BetMGM for another tonight. Santander's home run binge has also helped him record an RBI in five of his last seven games.
His Orioles are returning home tonight to face the Padres, and he'll be opposed by Adam Mazur. Santander homered yesterday and may again tonight, but he also should have a few teammates on base in front of him.
It's been a rough go for Mazur in his first seven career starts as he has a 7.84 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. He ranks in the fifth percentile or worse in chase rate, whiff rate, strikeout rate and walk rate.
Left-handed hitters are also hitting .343 with seven doubles, three home runs and 15 runs batted in against him. Santander will bat left-handed against him tonight, and he has 22 home runs and 51 RBI against right-handed pitching.
Considering this matchup, I don't think Santander should be plus odds for a ribby tonight.
Pick: Anthony Santander Over 0.5 RBI (+120)
Entering July, Butler was hitting .179 with two home runs. He made an adjustment to his swing and since he's hitting .412 with six doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 26 runs batted in and a 1.423 OPS.
The numbers have been even more gaudy of late as he's 18 for his last 30 (.600) and has two hits in seven of his last eight games.
Butler is +235 for two hits again tonight.
Butler also has done a lot of damage this month against the Angels. Last night, he had a double, home run and two RBI against L.A. He now has five multi-hit games in seven outings against the Angels.
He's just 1-for-5 against Carson Fulmer, but Fulmer is in the process of stretching himself out. He threw 77 pitches against Oakland on Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Butler went 1-for-2 with a double and walk against Fulmer in that game and then recorded another hit after he departed.
Should Butler's run of multi-hit games come to an end tonight, he can also clear this line with one extra-base hit.
He also has recorded two total bases in nine of his last 10 and six of his last seven games against the Angels.
Given how well Oakland has been playing offensively, Butler may have five plate appearances to clear this line.
