Ricky Dimon
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We have cashed two MLB parlays in the last two days (+454 and +1618) and we went 3-0 on player props on Thursday (both at plus money). The Pickswise team is on a roll in Major League Baseball and we will try to keep it rolling on Friday. This weekend begins with a full 15-game schedule, offering plenty of opportunities on the betting market. Let’s take a look at our three best player prop bets.
Corey Kluber Over 5.5 strikeouts (-132)
Kluber is off to a solid enough start with his new team, the New York Yankees. Through seven appearances he is 2-2 with a 3.06 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 35.1 innings. He has exceeded the 100-pitch mark in two consecutive outings and he has thrown at least 91 pitches in four straight. It’s clear that the 35-year-old isn’t on a short leash, so he should be line for another extended start against a Baltimore Orioles squad that is second-to-last in the American League in runs scored. The Orioles have eight players who have struck out at least 23 times in 2021, including Ryan Mountcastle with 42. Kluber’s two most recent strikeout totals are 10 and six, and he has every reason to record at least six on Friday night.
Dansby Swanson Over 0.5 hits (-152)
Swanson went deep in the Atlanta Braves’ loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, which should give him some confidence heading into a series at the Milwaukee Brewers. The former Vanderbilt standout been 0-for-4 in each of the two previous contests, but prior to that he had delivered five hits during a three-game stretch. Atlanta is facing Milwaukee right-hander Adrian Houser on Friday, and Swanson won’t mind that one bit. Even though the 27-year-old is a righty, himself, he has pretty much always hit just as well against same-sided pitchers. In 2020, Swanson batted .294 at the expense of right-handers compared to .186 against southpaws.
Javier Baez Over 0.5 RBIs (+145)
The Chicago Cubs are going up against Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, and that should be just what the doctor ordered. Like basically everyone on the Tigers, Skubal has been atrocious to begin the season. He is 0-5 with a 5.67 ERA. Baez has only five RBis during the month of May, but he batted in 20 runs in April. Thus he still leads the Cubs in this category—by three over Kris Bryant and seven ahead of Wilson Contreras. In Baez’s last full season (2019), he hit .304 against lefties compared to .275 versus right-handers. The Cubs’ bats should break out against Skubal and the Tigers, and you can expect Baez to be a part of the party.
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