3 MLB Prop Bets to Target on Friday 5/17/24

Player props can be useful in a variety of ways -- from taking advantage of them straight up to measuring a player's potential to produce in daily fantasy baseball on FanDuel. Here, we're going to focus on the former.

Utilizing our projections -- which are powered by numberFire -- as a guide, here are some MLB player props bets that look appealing via the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Please note that betting lines and projections may change throughout the day after this article is published. Also, the weather may be an issue in some locations.

MLB Player Props

J.D. Martinez To Record 2+ Total Bases (+115)

Since spending the opening days of the season in Triple-A, J.D. Martinez has served as a spark for the New York Mets' offense.

With a friendly matchup against Jesus Luzardo in tow, let's look for the veteran power hitter to record a pair of bases.

Through six starts, Luzardo has struggled to find consistency on the mound. He owns a 5.97 ERA, 4.45 xERA, and 1.42 HR/9.

He let righties muster a .430 SLG, 38.0% hard-hit rate, and 1.24 HR/9 in the 2023 season. We've seen more of the same this go around, with Luzardo surrendering a .419 SLG, 37.7% hard-hit rate, and 1.37 HR/9 to right-handed batters.

Dating back to the start of last season, Martinez is sporting a .285 BA, .577 SLG, and 149 wRC+ against lefties -- all of which are team-high marks on the Mets. He's generated plenty of pop against this handedness, too, rocking a 52.3% hard-hit rate and .292 ISO.

While these encouraging numbers go hand-in-hand with an eye-popping 29.6% strikeout rate (K%), he still has the upper hand in what will be a vulnerable matchup for Luzardo.

William Contreras To Record 2+ Total Bases (-110)

William Contreras ended the 2023 season amid an 18-game hitting streak and has now found himself in the hit column for nine straight games.

His status as one of the best bats in baseball (.359 BA; second-best) has earned him the third-shortest NL MVP odds (+850).

With an ultra-attractive matchup on deck for the Milwaukee Brewers' catcher, let's ride this wave of success.

Hunter Brown, who has posted a 7.79 ERA through eight starts, will be on the bump opposite Contreras. While that ERA is unsustainably misleading, a 4.36 xERA and 4.11 SIERA aren't cutting it, either.

Since the 2023 season, Brown has let right-handers combine for a .293 BA, .508 SLG, and 1.89 HR/9 through 95 1/3 IP. Ouch.

Contreras is scorching-hot in righty-righty matchups, touting a .362 BA, .567 SLG, 188 wRC+, and 43.9% hard-hit rate in 141 at-bats against northpaws in 2024. He's striking out at a mere 16.7% K% in the split, so it's easy to envision another great day at the plate for him.

Contreras has recorded at least two bases in 58.1% of his games this season, and -110 odds imply only a 52.4% probability.

Given the matchup and friendly enough odds, I'd consider backing Contreras To Record 3+ Total Bases (+195), as well.

Marcell Ozuna To Record An RBI (+125)

The market might not be giving the MLB's current RBI leader enough credit.

Marcell Ozuna (league-leading 41 RBIs) has recorded an RBI in 52.5% of games this season, but these +125 odds imply only a 44.4% probability for today.

Add in a matchup that could have the Atlanta Braves crossing home plate at will, and it becomes hard to fade Ozuna in this market.

Matt Waldron will get the ball for the opposing San Diego Padres. Waldron is suffering a 5.49 ERA, 4.39 xERA, 4.51 xFIP, and 4.39 SIERA through eight outings this season.

While the righty-on-righty matchup isn't totally in Ozuna's favor, Waldron has still let up a .429 SLG and 1.61 HR/9 to righties since the start of last season.

And Ozuna is every bit a hitter against right-handed pitchers. In 107 at-bats in the split, he has managed a .308 BA, .607 SLG, 173 wRC+, and 42.0% fly-ball rate this season.

All customers get a 30% Profit Boost for any 3+ leg Same Game Parlay wager on any MLB game happening May 17th! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking for more MLB betting opportunities? Check out all of the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.