Saturday's MLB slate features 15 games, which means there are plenty of player props to take advantage of across the board.
Player props have become among the most popular bets in the industry, but while the amount of states with legalized gambling is growing, some may feel left out.
Enter PrizePicks.
With PrizePicks, you get the opportunity to essentially parlay game prop over/unders with cash payouts depending on how many you get correct on that day’s slate.
Therefore, let’s take a look at some of the options on Saturday's Major League Baseball slate and see where we can find some value to turn a profit.
A quick refresher if you aren’t familiar with PrizePicks: You can combine up to five different O/U player props to payout up to 10x your wager.
You can do a Flex Play or a Power Play. A Flex Play gives you lesser odds, but you can win money even if you don’t nail every pick. Meanwhile, a Power Play is similar to a parlay — it’s all or nothing.
Here’s how I would approach today’s MLB slate.
What is PrizePicks? A daily fantasy operator — meaning they’re available in more states (30) than sports betting is! — PrizePicks offers a unique opportunity for action on player props in which you parlay two or more plays together.
Johan Oviedo Over 4.5 Strikeouts
We have the third matchup of this four-game NL Central intradivisional series with the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Chicago Cubs. Taking the mound for Pittsburgh is right-hander Johan Oviedo, who should be a good candidate to back in the strikeout department.
While Oviedo has been inconsistent since moving to the rotation from the bullpen, his strikeout numbers have still been there, and he has collected 12 punchouts over his last 10 2/3 innings pitched. In fact, he boasts a 24.3 K% this season.
After racking up six strikeouts in his last start against the Mets, Oviedo should be able to get over this total once again versus a much weaker Cubs lineup. Since Aug. 1, Chicago ranks just 24th in the league in K% when facing right-handed pitching.
Looking at their projected lineup for tonight's game, the Cubs are sending out seven guys who have a K% north of 23%. Through 31 career plate appearances against Oviedo, this current Chicago roster possesses a 22.6 K%.
Jason Delay Over 0.5 Total Bases
We are also going to be backing a couple of Pirates hitters in this contest as they are slated to go against left-hander Wade Miley. Since returning from injury, Miley has not been very sharp, and he is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through three starts.
A 35-year-old coming off a big shoulder injury is a big cause for concern moving forward and could continue to be a problem in this game. The first Pittsburgh hitter we are backing is Jason Delay.
Collecting a hit in seven of his last 12 games, that's all we need from him to get over this number. While he has never before faced Miley, Delay hits much better against left-handed pitchers with his splits jumping by about 32% to a .250/.350/.647 slash line.
Bryan Reynolds Hitter Fantasy Score Over 6.5
The other Pirates hitter we are backing in this outing is Bryan Reynolds, who has been one of the few bright spots for this club. This season, he boasts a .265 BA, .463 SLG, and .807 OPS.
Going over this total in each of the first two games of this series, he should be able to keep it going against Miley. Through 12 career plate appearances against the left-hander, Reynolds possesses a .274 xBA, .591 xSLG, and .420 xwOBA.
The switch-hitter bats well from each side of the plate with his splits staying relatively even.
Jose Siri Under 0.5 Total Bases
We have the third matchup of this massive four-game AL East intradivsional series with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. We will be fading a couple of Rays hitters, who are slated to go against right-hander Alex Manoah.
Through 29 starts this season, Manoah is 14-7 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Not only has the All-Star been tremendous all year, but he enters this matchup in particularly dominant form.
Over his last six starts, Manoah is 2-1 with a 1.32 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. Based on his metrics, we should expect more of the same as he boasts a .289 xwOBA, .228 xBA, and .352 xSLG.
The first Rays batter we are fading is Jose Siri. Batting a rough .215 this season, Siri has struggled to make contact.
Entering this contest, he has recorded a hit in just four of his last 11 games. Through five career at-bats against Manoah, Siri is 0-5 with two strikeouts.
Isaac Paredes Under 0.5 Total Bases
The other Rays hitter we are fading in this matchup is Isaac Parades. Like Siri, Paredes is hitless in his career against Manoah (0-3).
Also like Siri, Paredes has struggled mightily to make contact this season as he possesses a mere .222 BA. His metrics are even worse as he has produced a .215 xBA.
When facing right-handed pitching this season, Paredes has posted a .213/.444/.758 slash line. Sort of an all-or-nothing hitter, Parades swings for the fences on pretty much every pitch, which is good for his power stats but awful for his BA.
Going against a right-hander who has allowed just two home runs over his last six starts, we should expect Paredes to stay quiet in this outing.
