Ricky Dimon
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The 2024 Major League Baseball season continues with a small 6-game slate on Thursday. A majority of teams are in between series, but there is more than enough baseball on the schedule to dive into some enticing MLB player props. Today’s picks focus on Giants vs Red Sox and Guardians vs Astros. You can find out our MLB picks for each of today’s games on Thursday, May 16, but for now, let’s get into our best MLB player prop bets.
Cristian Javier, HOU, Over 4.5 strikeouts (-152)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The Oakland Athletics were one of the most surprising teams in baseball for a while, but it’s safe to say that this moribund franchise has crashed back down to Earth. The Athletics have lost 9 of their last 11 games, including the first 3 of this series against the Houston Astros. Oakland has scored a grand total of 3 runs in those 3 games and has struck out a ridiculous 35 times.
That bodes well for Houston right-hander Cristian Javier. The 27-year-old struggled in his most recent outing, but he exited after throwing just 50 pitches and that means he is well rested heading into Thursday’s start. Javier has thrown at least 90 pitches 3 times this season; he could be good for 100 tonight. That should send him at least into the 7th inning against this struggling A’s lineup. Javier has a modest 18 K’s through 24.2 innings in 2024, but he averaged almost a strikeout per inning last year (159 in 162.0). I would also play him to record at least 6 strikeouts at +146.
Read our full Oakland A’s vs Houston Astros predictions
Connor Joe, PIT, Over 1.5 hits+runs+RBIs (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Joe heads into a 4-game series against the Chicago Cubs in stellar form – and that’s an understatement. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ right fielder has hit safely in 7 of his last 9 games, with 3 multi-hit performances during this stretch. He has recorded at least 1 RBI in 5 consecutive contests – 8 overall in those 5. Half of Joe’s 6 homers this season have come in the past 4 outings.
The 31-year-old now has an extremely favorable matchup on his hands with Cubs left-hander Justin Steele. Joe is 6-for-10 lifetime against Steele with a home run and 2 walks. It’s also worth noting that Steele has made just 2 starts since returning from a month-long injury absence and his most recent appearance this past Saturday did not go well. The 28-year-old was roughed up by none other than the Pirates to the tune of 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 4.0 innings. Joe went 1-for-2 with a homer off Steele and his out was a hard liner to left. All signs point to yet another huge day at the office for Joe.
You can bet on this Connor Joe player prop over at Caesars Sportsbook, which has the best odds available and an awesome sign-up offer where you can secure first-bet insurance up to $1,000! Click here to sign up for Caesars.
