All 30 teams are on the docket come Friday Night, so get ready for a great night of baseball and bets. Let’s dive into my top three MLB player prop bets for Friday, August 23, as I look to build on my 44-24 record this season. Also don’t forget that you can find out our experts’ MLB picks for today’s matchups.
Hunter Brown (HOU) Over 5.5 strikeouts (-115)
Line available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Hunter Brown has been a joy to watch this season. After an opening month of the season where Brown had nearly a 12.00 ERA through 5 starts, including 4 losses, he has brought his ERA down to 3.82 with an xERA of 3.38 — ranking him in the 75th percentile amongst pitchers. Tonight, against the Baltimore Orioles, we’re putting our action on Brown to record at least strikeouts — a feat he has accomplished in 4 of his last 6 games since the all-star break.
The Orioles are a tough test on paper, but they have been struggling to hit RHP this month and their record of 9-11 proves that. They rank in the bottom 10 in batting average and on-base percentage against RHP while striking out at a 23% clip.
Brown should have a nice leash to go deep into this game with a 17.5 outs line via the sportsbooks, and the Astros using the bulk of their long arms in the bullpen the last 2 games.
Back our +1086 MLB parlay picks to start your weekend!
Michael Wacha (KC) Under 5.5 hits allowed (+100)
Line available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Here we are again…backing a pitcher who’s in a nice groove and gets a favorable matchup against a Phillies offense that is in deep struggles against right-handed pitching as of late. They rank in the bottom 10 in batting average and slugging, with the top of their order failing to provide life.
Michael Wacha is coming off a season-high in Ks in his last start against the Reds, allowing just four hits across six innings. The start before, Wacha again was impressive. He allowed 5 hits across 7.0 innings.
With an off day yesterday for the Royals, a fresh bullpen and Wacha not being one to throw 95+ pitches, this is an excellent spot at even money for Wacha to continue his run of quality starts. He’s stayed under this line in four of his last six starts since the break.
Read our full Philadelphia Phillies vs Kansas City Royals prediction
Francisco Lindor (NYM) Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (-115)
Line available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Let’s end our night with a hitter prop, shall we? Francisco Lindor may not win the NL MVP Award, but he is climbing the ranks. He currently sits at +600 to win it — behind Shohei Ohtani at -1200. Lindor is arguably the hottest hitter in baseball right now, as he’s cashed this prop in 16 of his last 20 games, including a first-inning cash last night against RHP Dylan Cease. It will be much easier tonight against RHP Joe Musgrove, against whom Lindor has 7 hits.
Musgrove is making his third start since a long stint on the IL. His pitch count reached 73 last game, so Lindor should get at least 2 at-bats against Musgrove. Nonetheless, Lindor has the most hits in baseball this month. He has hit 3 homers, scoring 16 runs and stealing 3 bases. For a price of -115, this should be on everybody’s betting card on Friday night — and feel free to ladder this at 2.5 hits+runs+rbi on BET365 at+180 and ESPNBET at +175.