Best MLB Player Props 8/2: Back Strikeout Picks to Boost Bankroll
- The MLB schedule returns in a big way to begin the weekend, offering many enticing betting choices for Friday night, promising an evening filled with excitement and potential wins.
- MLB player props are an exhilarating way to join the action. We’re focusing on three strikeout props and explaining why you should trust these starting pitchers.
- Check out today’s MLB odds, pitchers, and best player prop bets.
As we gear up for another thrilling schedule of MLB games today, kicking off an action-packed weekend, I’m thrilled to share my consistently profitable picks. I’m determined to bring you more winners with a 125-101 record following a 1-1 split on Thursday night; I’m aiming for a huge Friday with our best MLB bets today.
After Thursday’s small schedule of games, we’re supplied with an outstanding Friday night schedule to kick off our weekend. With many options for MLB player props today, I’ve meticulously and comprehensively narrowed down the best bets for you, ensuring you’re well-informed and prepared for the games.
3 Best MLB Player Props 8/2
1. Royals SP Cole Ragans 7+ Strikeouts (-162)
The red-hot Kansas City Royals and Bobby Witt Jr. continue their road trip in Detroit this weekend. The Royals have won nine of 13 games since the All-Star break and are chasing the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. We get a terrific pitching matchup tonight when AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal opposes Kansas City’s Cole Ragans. The pair of southpaws are among the more exciting young arms in baseball. While Skubal has been terrific, I’m going to back Ragans on the rubber.
Cole Ragans, 2Ks in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/ZihJbS7gjA
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 28, 2024
The 26-year-old left-hander is among the contenders trailing Skubal in AL Cy Young odds. He enters tonight’s start with a 3.37 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The Royals acquired him at the trade deadline last season when they sent Aroldis Chapman to the Rangers. Kansas City moved him into the starting rotation and he became an All-Star. His 10.73 K/9 is the second-highest in the American League, and he currently ranks third in pitching WAR in the American League!
Ragans is in the 93rd percentile in Whiff % and 87th in K %. He’s been tremendous, striking out seven or more in 14 of 22 starts this season, including 12 strikeouts in May against the Tigers. The Tigers have the 10th-highest strikeout rate this season and the second-lowest batting average in the league (.230). I’m confident in my bet with Ragans at BetUS sportsbook in this pitcher’s duel.
2. Twins SP Joe Ryan 7+ Strikeouts (-137)
Joe Ryan, the starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, is set to face the struggling Chicago White Sox again. The White Sox have been historically bad this season. This, combined with their position at eighth in strikeout rate, sets the stage for a potentially high-strikeout game again for Ryan. This will be Ryan’s third start against Chicago this season. Sometimes, it is difficult for a pitcher to duplicate success the third time around, but the White Sox have been horrible.
The Chicago White Sox have lost 17 straight games pic.twitter.com/mPWBbd3dLj
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) July 31, 2024
Ryan went over this line in two starts against the White Sox last year, finishing with seven and 10 strikeouts in those games and eight and three in the matchups this season back in April. The White Sox have the fourth-highest K% since the All-Star break, which remains the same dating back to June 1!
Ryan has finished with 8, 6, 6, 8, and 10 strikeouts in his last five starts. Going back to last season, Ryan is over this line in 20 of his previous 36 starts (55%). Ryan currently has a 23.3% K-BB%, a career-high mark, and the seventh-best in MLB.
We’ve recently seen Michael Wacha (7 Ks), Brady Singer (7), Michael Lorenzen (8), Nathan Eovaldi (10), Max Scherzer (9) and George Kirby (7) climb to this number against Chicago. Roll with Ryan tonight!
Joe Ryan, Nasty 80mph Sweeper. 😨 pic.twitter.com/TdJNhWOZfG
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 27, 2024
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3. Braves SP Spencer Schwellenbach 6+ Strikeouts (-117)
The Atlanta Braves have dealt with several injuries to their stars this season, but some unexpected help from several starting pitchers has kept them in World Series contention. Among the unexpected help is rookie Spencer Schwellenbach, who toes the slab for the Braves on Friday night when they battle the Miami Marlins.
The 24-year-old right-hander was terrific in all four starts in July. He had a 110 Pitching+ in four starts, the highest among all starters in the National League. He did this against some of the better lineups in the league (Mets, Cardinals, Padres and Phillies).
ICYMI: Spencer Schwellenbach’s career-high 11 Ks!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/mE3mNLlpq5
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 27, 2024
Schwellenbach has exceeded this MLB line in six of his last seven starts! The only time he went under, he finished with three strikeouts against the Padres, who strike out at the lowest rate in the league. Tonight, he faces a Marlins squad that is ripe for the picking.
The Fish have the 12th-highest K % this season and the third-highest in the last month. Miami is sixth in Whiff %. Schwellenbach is in the 73rd percentile K % and 95th percentile in BB %! The Marlins have the lowest BB % in the league by a fair margin, so we can expect some length from the rookie. This will award him ample opportunity to reach six strikeouts.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Questions Of The Day
What is the best MLB player prop pick tonight?
I like Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan to go over the 6½ strikeouts betting line against the White Sox.
Which MLB player is projected to record the most strikeouts tonight?
Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans is projected to record the most strikeouts on Friday night when he starts against the Detroit Tigers.