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We're teed up for our first big Friday night slate of June, and as usual, we've identified a trio of appealing pitcher props and a pair of hitter wagers that appear to have a good chance of paying off.
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I'll provide my favorite prop bets for MLB games on Friday, June 2, 2023, in this article. Let's look at some of the best MLB player props worth wagering on for today's games without further ado. Good luck Rotoballers!
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MLB Pitcher Prop Bets - Today's Betting Picks
Framber Valdez OVER 6.5 strikeouts thrown (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Valdez finds himself in a marquee matchup against Shohei Ohtani on Friday, but truth be told, the Astros left-hander has been the better pitcher of late. Valdez has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts, racking up a 10.9 K/9 in that span and recording at least seven punchouts on four occasions as well.
One of those turns came against these same Angels on the road on May 9, when Valdez tallied a season-high 12 strikeouts. He boasts a solid 9.4 K/9 at home overall, and Los Angeles checks in with a 25.8 percent strikeout rate against lefties in the last month.
Valdez has at least seven strikeouts in seven of 11 starts overall, lending credence to the notion this prop is very much within his reach.
Michael Wacha OVER 5.5 strikeouts thrown (+128 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Wacha has been locked in of late, pitching to an 0.84 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and 0.3 HR/9 in the 32 innings covering his last 32 innings. The veteran right-hander's Over 17.5 Outs Recorded prop is arguably the safer way to go here, but I'm in the camp of rolling the dice a bit and taking a chance due to the very appealing price on this wager.
Wacha isn't an elite strikeout pitcher by any means, but this could be a spot to take a shot. The opposing Cubs are striking out at a 27.5 percent clip against right-handed pitching on the road for the last month, and they own a slightly less elevated 24.9 percent figure in that split for the season.
Wacha averaged a strikeout per inning against the Cubs in his one prior start against them this season, and although he only went five frames in that outing, he's gone at least six in five straight. Wacha has also shown the occasional ability to blow through his usual norms in terms of K's, as he has 10- and 11-strikeout outings this season.
Michael Wacha in the month of May. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/wWsj7BNO6b
— Cards Convo ™ (@CardinalsConvo) June 1, 2023
Jordan Lyles OVER 2.5 earned runs allowed (-140 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Lyles has been pitching to no shortage of contact while working his way to an 0-9 record and 7.30 ERA through his first 11 starts. The veteran right-hander has given up just over a hit per inning, and although he's been at his worst in certain aspects on the road, he has a middling 5.9 K/9 and elevated 2.4 HR/9 at home.
The Rockies have been good against right-handed pitching, even on the road, over the last month, posting a .266 average and scoring 36 runs across 323 plate appearances in that split. Lyles has allowed at least three earned runs in all but one start, putting the odds in favor of Colorado, which has a 4.5-run projected total for Friday, scoring at least three against him.
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MLB Hitter Prop Bets - Today's Betting Picks
Randal Grichuk OVER 1.5 Total Bases (+125 DraftKings SportsBook)
Grichuk has been seeing regular playing time since recovering from offseason hernia surgery, and he should be back in the lineup Friday after getting a day off Thursday. The veteran slugger has been seeing the ball extremely well, producing a .351 average, .899 OPS, and a modest 18.1 percent strikeout rate across 105 plate appearances.
Grichuk has 11 extra-base hits and is overdue for a homer surge after slugging just one thus far, considering he's averaged one every 21.4 plate appearances going back to 2016. The outfielder/DH is averaging just under two total bases per game thus far (46 over 25 contests)
Meanwhile, Royals starter Jordan Lyles has pitched to a .304 average and .417 wOBA against right-handed hitters at home while allowing 12 of the 21 hits he's conceded in that split to go for extra bases. Moreover, he's yielded a home run and a .800 average overall to Grichuk in five previous encounters.
Nolan Gorman OVER 0.5 Runs Scored (-120 DraftKings SportsBook)
Gorman is enjoying a rock-solid season overall, producing a career-best .272 average and .360 OBP among his metrics. The latter figure, which is partly the byproduct of a 12.0 percent walk rate, is particularly relevant for this prop.
Pirates starter Roansy Contreras has struggled with control, sporting a 4.0 BB/9 and 1.38 WHIP through 52 innings across 10 appearances (nine starts). The young right-hander has also pitched to a .311 BAA and .404 OBP against left-handed hitters at home, while Gorman has a .274 average, .358 OBP and 18 runs scored when facing righties this season.
Gorman has the likes of Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Paul DeJong – who have 79 RBIs between them – hitting behind him in the lineup, and he should therefore have a good chance of both getting on base and eventually crossing the plate at least once.
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