Fading Blanco in Bronx Thursday’s Best MLB Player Prop Bet

· May 09 - 4 minutes read

We have a short schedule of MLB games on Thursday, with just seven games on the board throughout the day. Our consistently profitable MLB picks, boasting a record of 23-20 over the previous two weeks, are here to deliver. There’s a small board tonight, and I’m firing on just one pick. Our past success, which you can rely on, should give you the confidence to tag along.

Let’s take a quick look at Thursday’s MLB schedule. It’s a travel day for most of the league, so we only have a few top matchups. Most notably, the New York Yankees are looking to complete the three-game series sweep in the Bronx against the rival Houston Astros.

Fading Blanco in Bronx Thursday’s Best MLB Player Prop Bet — Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros | Tim Warner/Getty Images/AFP

The Los Angeles Angels are losing the battle of attrition early this season, and they will kick off a four-game set with the visiting Kansas City Royals, who have been pleasantly surprising through the first month and a half. Plenty of options exist for player prop bets today, but I’ve done the hard work of narrowing down the best for you based on specific criteria or analysis, ensuring you’re well-informed before making your bets. Get ready for an exciting day of MLB action!

Some pre-weekend baseball coming your way. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/dCq3QqM6cq

— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2024

Best MLB Player Prop Today

Astros SP Ronel Blanco Over 4½ Hits Allowed (-134)

The first pitch in the Bronx is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET today. The Houston Astros are desperate to salvage this series against the Yankees. New York swept Houston in four games to begin the season and are one win away from sweeping them again. It’s been a long time coming for Yankee fans like myself to watch the Astros struggle.

Houston will send 30-year-old right-hander Ronel Blanco to the bump this evening. Blanco started his season with a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1. Since then, he has pitched exceptionally well and has been Stros’ most consistent starter.

Blanco has given the Astros length, pitching six innings in five of six outings and 5.2 innings in the lone start that he didn’t. As a result, he has allowed at least five hits in four consecutive starts. Four of Blanco’s six starts have come against teams in the bottom 10 in batting average this season (Mariners, Rockies, Nationals, Blue Jays).

The Yankees have zero plate appearances against Blanco, but the lineup is red-hot entering today’s game. Blanco has posted a terrific 2.09 ERA and 0.96 WHIP and is avoiding barrels. Blanco is mainly throwing a fastball and changeup. However, his fastball velocity has decreased by 1.8 MPH year-over-year to just 92.7 MPH in 2024.

This, coupled with his xBA dropping from .270 over his first two seasons to just .179 xBA in 2024, suggests he may be due for some regression. It’s currently challenging to fade this Yankees lineup, making the over 4½ hits allowed for Blanco an enticing line.