Our winning day slipped away on Friday, as Dylan Cease ran into trouble with just two outs to go. However, bad variance yesterday means we'll hopefully be in line for something to go our way today.
I'm targeting two starters who have value in them in intriguing matchups.
So, with that said, let's dive into our MLB player props for Saturday, June 1.
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 |
|---|---|
| 4:10 p.m. | |
| 7:15 p.m. | |
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. | |
Diamondbacks vs. Mets
Slade Cecconi
Under 4.5 Strikeouts
Slade Cecconi will take the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks this afternoon, and his big-league career has not gotten off to the best start.
The 24-year-old enters this outing with a 6.12 ERA, and one big reason behind the high ERA is his inability to miss bats.
Cecconi ranks in the 12th percentile in whiff rate and the 15th in strikeout rate. That has translated to just 22 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
He won't be given any favors this afternoon either, as he faces a New York Mets lineup that does not strike out often. The Mets rank 20th in team strikeout rate this season, and they were even better earlier in the year, but a recent slump has dropped them down a bit.
Cecconi hasn't proven he can exceed this number at the big-league level. He has gone under it in five of his six starts this year, and that trend should continue.
Pick: Slade Cecconi Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-140)
Reds vs. Cubs
Hunter Greene
Over 17.5 Outs
Cincinnati Reds flamethrower Hunter Greene has taken a step forward this season by taking a bit off his pitches. Greene's average velocity is down a tick, but his ERA is over 1.5 runs better than last season.
His success this season has come from generating soft contact rather than strikeouts. Greene has diversified his arsenal by adding a split-finger and curveball while ditching his changeup.
While they're not large parts of his arsenal, they give lefties something to think about other than a fastball or slider.
Greene's willingness to pitch to contact a bit more has allowed him to be more efficient and work deeper into games. He has gone at least six innings in six of his 11 starts this season.
Tonight, he'll face a Cubs lineup that will work in his favor, as they have a tendency to put the ball on the ground while also holding the 10th-highest team strikeout rate in the majors.
If Greene can keep his command in check, we should see him eclipse this mark once again.
Pick: Hunter Greene Over 17.5 Outs (-107)
