Saturday’s MLB Props, PrizePicks Plays: Load Up on Rockies at Coors Field (April 9)
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images. Pictured: Kris Bryant
Player props have become among the most popular bets in the industry, but while the amount of states with legalized gambling is growing, some may feel left out.
Enter: PrizePicks.
With PrizePicks, you get the opportunity to essentially parlay game prop over/unders with cash payouts depending on how many you get correct on that day’s slate.
Therefore, let’s take a look at some of the options on today’s Major League Baseball slate and see where we can find some value to turn a profit.
A quick refresher if you aren’t familiar with PrizePicks: you can combine up to five different O/U player props to payout up to 10x your wager.
You can do a Flex Play or a Power Play. A Flex Play gives you lesser odds, but you can win money even if you don’t nail every pick. Meanwhile, a Power Play is similar to a parlay — it’s all or nothing.
Here’s how I would approach today’s slate in Major League Baseball.
What is PrizePicks? A daily fantasy operator — meaning they’re available in more states (30) than sports betting is! — PrizePicks offers a unique opportunity for action on player props in which you parlay two or more plays together.
MLB PrizePicks Plays for Saturday, April 9th
German Marquez Over 3.5 Strikeouts
We have an NL West showdown as the Colorado Rockies host the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Dodgers are obviously a powerhouse team, this number is far too low for Marquez.
Marquez reached at least four strikeouts in 16 of his 19 home starts in 2021, including his September 22nd home start against the Dodgers. Kyle Freeland struck out six Dodgers batters in just 3 2/3 innings Friday, showing that this lineup is capable of making the slow walk back to the dugout.
Last season, the Dodgers had the 12th-most strikeouts against right-handers in MLB.
Charlie Blackmon Over 1.5 Total Bases
This Dodgers/Rockies game's total is currently set at 12, and if there are around 12 runs scored then I do not see how Blackmon does not achieve at least two total bases. Blackmon hit a double Friday and has had great success in his career against Tony Gonsolin.
In six career plate appearances against Gonsolin, Blackmon is batting .500 with two doubles and a home run, good for a 1.333 slugging percentage. Blackmon's wOBA over those six at-bats is a stellar .743.
While that is certainly a small sample size, Blackmon usually finds success at Coors Field. Last season, Blackmon posted a .814 OPS, .283 batting average, .356 on-base percentage and .457 slugging percentage at home.
Kris Bryant Over 1.5 Total Bases
Another Rockies player I got my eye on for this game is Kris Bryant. Bryant is projected to bat in the second spot right behind Blackmon, so these two bets could play into each other.
In Friday's game, Bryant achieved two total bases. Although Bryant only has two career plate appearances against Gonsolin, he homered in one of them.
In those two plate appearances, Bryant generated a .402 xBA, 1.538 xSLG and .789 xwOBA.
Justin Verlander Under 6.5 Strikeouts
We have an AL West matchup as the Houston Astros visit the Los Angeles Angels for the third-straight day. Neither of the starting pitchers for Houston went over this total in the first two games of this series, and I do not think Verlander will either.
Verlander has not pitched since July 24th, 2020 as he was shut down thereafter due to Tommy John surgery.
Once a great pitcher, Verlander is now 39 years old coming off of a major injury that plagues even young pitchers and I do not expect him to come out and get seven strikeouts in his first game in almost two years.
Jose Altuve Hitter Fantasy Score Under 7.5
Another player prop I like in this game is for Jose Altuve to go under this total. Besides his one homer, Altuve has not looked sharp in his at-bats so far this season.
Over the first two games, Altuve has a mere .164 xBA and a troubling 55.6 strikeout percentage. Additionally, Altuve has never seen Noah Syndergaard in his career so he may have trouble in the first few times through the batting order.
Syndergaard has the opportunity to rekindle his career in Los Angeles, and tonight is a great opportunity to prove it.
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