MLB Betting: 3 Best Player Prop Bets for Tuesday 8/13/24

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 MLB 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.

Best MLB Player Props Today

Zebby Matthews Over 4.5 Strikeouts (+136)

Rookie pitchers making their MLB debut can offer some juicy lines, but there's a ton of risk involved. There's a load of uncertainty about how a player will immediately translate to the big leagues. Still, it's not uncommon to see some odds that could be underestimating the rookie on the mound.

This could be the case on Tuesday with the Minnesota Twins' Zebby Matthews making his first start in MLB. His strikeout total is set at only 4.5, yet he has averaged 6.3 strikeouts per appearance in the minors this season.

Yes, the majors are a completely different level of play, but Matthews still has the stuff to go over. For example, he has posted a K/9 of over 10.0 all season and carried a 28.4% strikeout percentage (K%) in Triple-A.

Tonight's opponent, the Kansas City Royals, have been a tough team to strike out with the second-lowest K% on the season. However, they've been well above their season average of 6.8 strikeouts per game over their last five, posting 7.8 during the span.

Additionally, Matthews likes to lean into heat, pitching a four-seam fastball and cutter. Kansas City is among the eight lowest marks in runs above average against both pitches.

Matthews has shown elite control in the minors, totaling 114 Ks to only 7 walks. The Royals also hold the third-lowest walk rate (BB%) across MLB.

FanDuel Research's daily projections provide even more support, giving Matthews a median K total of 6.01. If correct, this carries an implied probability of 55.6% compared to the +136 odds for the over holding only a 42.4% implied probability.

Giancarlo Stanton to Record an RBI (-115)

Among tonight's slate, Giancarlo Stanton is carrying the highest median projection for an RBI at 1.03. This holds an implied probability of 64.3% for recording at least one ribby. Yet, his odds to record an RBI is -115 have an implied probability of 53.5%. That's a big difference, making it a worthwhile swing.

Most of this is banking on Stanton's slugging as he also has the highest median projection for a dinger (0.45). His double mark isn't too shabby either at 0.25.

Power hitting was his path to driving in runs in recent games, totaling seven RBIs over his last four contests. Six of these ribbies were generated from extra-base hits.

Tonight, the New York Yankees' slugger squares off with the Chicago White Sox's starting hurler Jonathan Cannon. The rookie has hit his stride over his last three starts, carrying a 1.89 ERA. However, his xFIP was 6.11, 6.49, and 5.03 over the three-game span -- regression looks imminent.

Cannon is also among the bottom 56% in average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit rate. A dinger has been allowed in three consecutive appearances, as well.

Stanton is hitting a healthy .340 against sinkers -- Cannon's most-used pitch, per Baseball Savant. The path for a Stanton ribby is as bright as the yellow brick road.

Jorge Soler to Record 2+ Total Bases (+115)

A change of scenery has done wonders for Jorge Soler, who was acquired by the Atlanta Braves on July 30th. Soler is touting a slash line of .306/.419/.667 in August compared to his season average of .245/.338/.439. He will get the chance to show what he's made of against his former team, the San Francisco Giants.

According to projections, Soler has 1.9 median forecasted bases, suggesting a 56.6% probability for reaching at least two bases. He's pulled off this feat in four of his last five contests.

The odds for totaling two bases is +115, or an implied probability of 46.5%. Compared to the projections' implied probability, this is shaping up to be a great bet.

His matchup against Kyle Harrison provides only more comfort. Soler's slash line of .234/.316/.411 against righties jumps to .276/.398/.520 when facing southpaws.

Additionally, Harrison heavily leans on his four-seam fastball (59.2% usage). Soler has a .280 batting average against this pitch, which is well above his season average of .245.

The final blow is Harrison sitting in the bottom 11% of hard-hit percentage. Soler has been swinging for the fences this month with a .667 SLG, which gets even better against lefties at a jaw-dropping 1.000.

Two bases could take only one crack of the bat from Soler tonight.

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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.