We have a loaded 16-game slate today in MLB, and that means there's a ton of prop angles to surf through. However, I've already done that work for you, and I'm set to give you my top two player props of today's slate.
Our Action Labs Props Tool grades each prop on a scale from 1-10, and I'll be sure to include the grade for each of my betting recommendations in my discussions below.
Alek Manoah Over/ Under 18.5 Pitching Outs (+120/-155)
| Blue Jays @ Red Sox | |
| First Pitch | 4:10 p.m. ET |
| Best Line: Blue Jays -145 | DraftKings |
After striking out the side in his inning of work in Tuesday's All-Star Game, Alek Manoah is set to get the ball for his first start of the second half. Manoah had a tremendous first half, as he enters this one with a 10-4 record and a 2.28 ERA.
Although Manoah was dominant in the first half, his pitch count always seemed to catch up to him — he's a guy who's not worried about walks and has a tendency to work deep counts. That has created a great deal of value for his outing today.
Manoah has only gone past the sixth inning in six of his 18 starts this year. That gives us implied odds of -200 that he's going under again today.
On top of that, he's facing a very potent Red Sox lineup that will be determined to put up a good showing after getting beat 28-5 yesterday.
Lastly, one of Manoah's deeper outings actually came against Boston, so given the odds, he should regress today and be out after six at the most.
Pick: Under 18.5 Pitching Outs (-155)
Action Labs Grade: 8/10
Joe Ryan Over/Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-117/-105)
| Twins @ Tigers | |
| First Pitch | 6:10 p.m. ET |
| Best Line: Twins -180 | DraftKings |
Our second pick includes another talented young right-hander, as rookie Joe Ryan will be starting against the Tigers. Ryan missed a handful of starts in the first half, but was excellent when he was out there. Through 14 starts this season, Ryan holds a 2.99 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP.
However, the one thing that Ryan has not excelled at is setting hitters down on strikes. He has just 66 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched, but he should get a boost in that department today.
Detroit enters the second half with the fifth-highest strikeout rate in the majors. We have already seen Ryan dominate this lineup, as he racked up nine strikeouts against them back in April.
He's gone over this total in half of his starts, which gives us implied odds of +100. However, given his past success and Detroit's high strikeout rate, he should have no problem going over again.
Lastly, our Action Labs projections have Ryan slated for seven strikeouts today, which is the biggest projection edge on the slate.
Pick: Over 4.5 Strikeouts -117
Action Labs Grade: 10/10
