On Thursday, three hitters I'll be backing are Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Zach Neto.
Let's dive into my MLB player prop picks for Thursday, May 8.
MLB Prop Picks — Thursday, May 8
- Javier Baez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-110, BetMGM)
- Kyle Schwarber Over 1.5 Total Bases (+125, DraftKings)
- Zach Neto Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-110, BetMGM)
Tigers vs Rockies Game 1 Player Props: Baez to Continue Red Hot Start
Last night, the Tigers defeated the Rockies in extra innings, and on Thursday, they'll play two to close the series.
That'll give Baez an opportunity to extend his hitting streak to double digits. It currently stands at eight after a two-hit game on Wednesday, his third consecutive game with two hits.
Baez wasn't guaranteed an everyday role in the Tigers' lineup to begin the season, but opportunity arose when Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling suffered injuries. Since then, Baez has made it difficult for manager A.J. Hinch to take him out of the lineup, whether at third base, center field or shortstop.
Baez leads the team with a .313 batting average, which goes up to .333 against left-handed pitchers.
One lefty whom Baez has struggled against is Kyle Freeland, which may be a tad bit surprising given Freeland's career and recent track record. He has a 5.70 ERA and 1.46 WHIP this season.
The Tigers' offense has been rolling, so they may get him out of the game early if Baez can't get to him again. However, right-handed hitters are hitting .345 against Freeland this season, so I would expect him to join the party, too.
With two more hits for the fourth straight game, Baez could clear this line with two singles — like he did on Wednesday.
However, he's recorded two total bases in eight consecutive games, averaging 3.4 total bases per game in that span. I'll be backing that trend to continue in game one of the doubleheader.
Phillies vs Rays Player Props: Conditions Could Help Schwarber
Baez's former teammate, Schwarber, also enters this game on a tear, with five hits in the first two games in Tampa. Schwarber has a hit in seven of his last 10 games, and five of those hits have left the yard.
Schwarber is tied for the MLB lead with 12 home runs and is fifth with a .991 OPS.
The conditions in Tampa could call for another long ball from him on Thursday. The wind will be blowing out to the right, Schwarber's pull side.
Schwarber hasn't faced tonight's starter — Ryan Pepiot — before, but all eight of Pepiot's home runs allowed this season have been at home (he has a 4.82 ERA at Steinbrenner Field).
Schwarber is +260 for a home run on BetMGM on Thursday, and he's homered in three of his last four games against Tampa.
If he does leave the yard, he'll also record two total bases in the process. He's recorded two total bases in seven of his last 10 games, averaging 2.8 per game in that span.
I'll back him for two at plus odds on Thursday.
Blue Jays vs Angels Player Props: Neto Looking to Extend His Streak
Neto began 2025 on the IL, but he's been making up for lost time since his return. He's hitting .292 with four home runs, eight runs batted in and a .897 OPS. He enters Thursday riding a 12-game hitting streak that he'll look to extend against Chris Bassitt.
If that streak does extend to 13, he'll need either a second hit, run or RBI to clear this line. He's scored in seven of his past 12 games and has driven in a run in five of them. That's helped him record two hits + runs + runs batted in in nine of his past 12 games, averaging 2.5 per game.
He'll need to get his first hit against Bassitt to do so; however, he's faced him just three times. Neto is batting .304 against right-handers this season.
He may also get one-to-two plate appearances against the Blue Jays' bullpen since he's batting near the top of the lineup. Either way, I like him for two hits + runs + runs batted in on Thursday.
