MLB Player Props Sunday: Picks for Blake Snell, Chris Sale & Yusei Kikuchi (July 14)
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images. Pictured: Braves pitcher Chris Sale.
We took a step back on Saturday with a 1-2 card. However, we are in a position to finish the first half of the MLB season off strong.
So, let's dive into our MLB player props for Sunday, July 14 — featuring picks for Blake Snell, Yusei Kikuchi and Chris Sale.
MLB Player Prop Picks
In the table below, you'll find each of our MLB staff's top player prop picks from today's slate of games. Click on any pick or team logo to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
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| 4:05 p.m. | |
| 4:10 p.m. | |
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
Twins vs. Giants
Blake Snell
Over 15.5 Outs
Blake Snell's tenure in San Francisco has been rocky, to say the least. From being a very late free agent signing to missing much of the season with injury already, we have yet to see the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner show that form.
However, this afternoon, we should see him out on the bump for longer than his other seven starts in a Giants uniform. Yes, he has a very tough matchup in front of him in the Minnesota Twins, but Snell is being discounted in his second start back from injury.
He looked great in his last outing against the Toronto Blue Jays, tossing five innings while allowing only one hit. The main issue for Snell working deep into games this season has been command, but the Twins rank 28th in walk rate against lefties on the season.
On top of that, the Twins also don't strike out much. They are 28th in strikeout rate against lefties over their last 30 games.
It's very possible we see Snell take the mound in the sixth, considering the Twins will make him more efficient, he's due for positive regression, and he'll have plenty of rest after this outing.
Pick: Blake Snell Over 15.5 Outs (+145)
Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks
Yusei Kikuchi
Under 17.5 Outs
Yusei Kikuchi has been solid for the Toronto Blue Jays this season. He enters with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, and while those numbers aren't quite as telling in terms of how he's actually performed, the veteran lefty may be in some trouble today.
Kikuchi is set to take the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have been seeing the ball well lately as a club. The Diamondbacks come into this matchup ranking third in on-base percentage and seventh in wRC+ against lefties on the season.
They also excel at putting the ball in play. They rank 22nd in strikeout rate against lefties on the season and have done so with authority, ranking fourth in ground-ball to fly-ball ratio.
None of these numbers favor Kikuchi, who has had an issue with loud contact this season. Kikuchi's barrel rate and hard-hit rate sit in the ninth percentile.
While Kikuchi has gone deeper into games this season, Arizona won't give him any breaks. He'll likely exit before the end of the sixth.
Pick: Yusei Kikuchi Under 17.5 Outs (-135)
Braves vs. Padres
Chris Sale
Under 18.5 Outs
We talked about how Blake Snell is set to regain his form, and Chris Sale has already done that for the Atlanta Braves. The 35-year-old Sale will enter the All-Star break in Cy Young consideration.
Sale has been as dominant as ever, with a 2.74 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 33% strikeout rate. However, he'll be facing a formidable lineup today with the San Diego Padres hosting the Braves.
The Padres have been crushing left-handed pitching of late. In recent games, they've been the No. 1 team in wRC+ and OBP against lefties. A big part of that success has come from putting the ball in play, as they have the lowest strikeout rate in the majors over that same span.
San Diego will make Sale work and will likely put traffic on the base paths. This will create high-stress pitches, which Atlanta likely wants to avoid with the All-Star break nearing.
Don't expect Sale to have a long leash if he's in constant trouble. Regardless, we shouldn't see him in the seventh unless he pitches lights-out this afternoon.
Pick: Chris Sale Under 18.5 Outs (-125)
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