3 MLB Prop Bets to Target on Thursday 5/2/24

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3 MLB Prop Bets to Target on Thursday 5/2/24

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 Prop Bets

Adley Rutschman to Record 2+ Hits (+210)

Adley Rutschman has been great for the Baltimore Orioles this season. He's an easy pick today to Record 2+ Total Hits (+210).

Now, betting on anyone to get two hits isn't ever an easy task, but Rutschman will be against a lefty, one of the best combinations in baseball.

Baltimore will be taking on the New York Yankees and their starter Carlos Rodon. Despite Rodon's strong 2.48 ERA in six starts, lineups can take advantage of his 4.41 SIERA and 4.69 xFIP over 32 2/3 innings.

All this is to say that the stats can tell part of the story for this bet, yet Rutschman's hitting line against left-handed pitchers does most of the talking. The former No. 1 overall pick is hitting an insane .457 against lefties. The underlying metrics are through the roof, as well, with Rutschman posting a .513 wOBA, 1.175 OPS, and .239 ISO against them.

There's confidence to be add in the Orioles' star today against Rodon and the Yankees' pitching staff.

Michael Busch to Record an RBI (+145)

The Chicago Cubs are locked into a great matchup against Adrian Houser and the New York Mets on today's early slate.

Houser has had a brutal start to his season. There's no better way to sum it up. Through his first five starts, the right-handed starter has a 8.37 ERA and 6.01 SIERA, showing that he isn't slowing down lineups in any fashion.

He isn't missing bats with his 7.7% swinging strike rate, and the opposition are lifting the ball against him more than ever with a 36.6% fly-ball rate. In 23 2/3 innings, he's allowed 22 runs on 29 hits. That says it all.

When picking from the Cubs' lineup, I like Michael Busch to Record an RBI (+145).

Busch has knocked in 17 runs, a team lead for the Cubs. He's done a lot of things right for Chicago since being traded there, as shown by his .224 ISO and .347 wOBA. Busch hasn't recorded an RBI in his last five games, so he feels due considering his spot in the lineup as the five-hitter.

The Cubs' first baseman is delivering versus right-handers. He has a .267 average, .256 ISO, and .857 OPS against them this season.

It doesn't need to be a home run or even a hit for him to record an RBI. With Houser on the mound, all possibilities are in play to get to him with Busch swinging the bat.

Kyle Tucker to Record 2+ Total Bases (+100)

Kyle Tucker is off to another great start for the Houston Astros and should be leaned on tonight to Record 2+ Total Bases (+100).

The outfielder has done it all once again this year at the plate. Tucker is hitting to the tune of .298 with a .424 wOBA, .440 xwOBA, .407 OBP, .272 ISO, and .978 OPS. There's nothing he can seemingly do wrong right now. It's why I like him so much against the Cleveland Guardians, who will start Logan Allen.

Houston has the best implied total of the day (4.99) against Allen and the Guardians, per numberFire's heat map.

Cleveland's starting pitcher has not had a good start to 2024. In his first six starts, Allen has a 5.46 ERA, 4.31 SIERA, 5.12 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP. He's a pitcher that hitters can get to, and Tucker should be at the top of the list.

If there's more reason to like Tucker, it's due to how he destroys lefties. While he's a lefty at the plate, that hasn't stopped him from driving the ball against southpaws with a 44.1% hard-hit rate. His other metrics include a huge 1.147 OPS, .364 ISO, and .488 wOBA against left-handers.

This is the matchup to get Tucker, especially with +100 odds to Record 2+ Total Bases. He has 15 extra-base hits on the season, so it may take just one swing to get the job done.

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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.