MLB Betting: 3 Best Player Prop Bets for Friday 8/2/24

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 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.

MLB Player Props

Mark Vientos To Record 2+ Total Bases (-105)

The New York Mets are up against a left-handed pitcher tonight, paving the way for Mark Vientos to have a strong night at the plate.

Vientos has enjoyed a breakout season, ranking in the 85th percentile in xwOBA (.357), 92nd percentile in xSLG (.510) and 97th percentile in barrel rate (17.3%), per Statcast.

But he's taken things up a notch against southpaws. In that split, the right-handed Vientos owns a .467 wOBA, 1.110 OPS, and 211 wRC+. Of his 84 plate appearances against lefties, 17% ended in a double or home run -- compared to just 9% of his 162 plate appearances versus righties.

That puts him in a nice spot to record two-plus total bases against the Los Angeles Angels and lefty Tyler Anderson.

Despite Anderson's 2.96 ERA, his underlying numbers leave a lot to be desired. His 4.76 xFIP and 4.79 SIERA suggest he's punched over his weight this season, and his 18.6% K rate isn't scaring anyone.

He's been largely propped up by a .234 BABIP and 82.6% strand rate -- both dramatically better marks than his career averages.

Anderson is still giving up a 43.7% fly-ball rate and 8.2% barrel rate on the year, and his average fastball velocity is down to a career-low 89.5 MPH.

Consequently, Vientos should be able to continue his hot stretch and rack up at least two total bases -- a feat he's accomplished in 8 of his last 10 games.

Dean Kremer Under 16.5 Outs Recorded (-114)

Dean Kremer is fresh off a quality start, but I'm looking to fade him in a road date versus the Cleveland Guardians.

In his last start, Kremer had his best outing since the All-Star break, tossing six innings of one-run ball against the San Diego Padres.

But his season-long ERA still sits at 4.20, and his ERA indicators (5.25 xERA, 4.27 xFIP and 4.23 SIERA) don't offer much encouragement -- nor does an ugly third-percentile barrel rate (11.5%).

Kremer has a middling 22.7% K rate, but his walk rate is up to 9.0% this season. He's generating whiffs at only a 23.2% clip, meaning opposing hitters aren't having much trouble making contact against him. That's less than ideal considering he's allowed a .425 xwOBA on contact, a bottom-3% mark league-wide.

That's played a role in him recording 17+ outs just once in five starts since returning from the injured list, and it makes under 16.5 outs the side I'm looking at tonight.

Taking Dean Kremer to record under 16.5 means taking him to pitch no more than 5 1/3 innings. He's pitched more than that just six times in 14 starts this season.

Cleveland forced Baltimore Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers out after just 4 1/3 innings (13 outs) in yesterday's series opener. While the Guardians have been better against lefties than righties on the year, they've climbed to 12th in home wRC+ (112) versus right-handers.

That puts them in a nice spot to get to Kremer early, forcing him out before he can record 17 outs.

Royce Lewis To Record an RBI (+105)

The Minnesota Twins have the night's second-highest implied total (5.32) in their home date with the Chicago White Sox. We can turn to Royce Lewis for a batter prop.

Lewis is hitting only .211 in six games since returning from the injured list, but he does have three RBI over that stretch. His season-long numbers remain excellent as he boasts a .380 xwOBA, .571 xSLG, and 14.3% barrel rate.

He's been better against lefties than righties, but his .923 OPS and 153 wRC+ in righty-righty matchups is nothing to scoff at. That'll play against opposing right-hander Davis Martin tonight, and it puts Lewis in a strong position to record an RBI.

Lewis has 21 RBI in 30 games this season, and he's batting .292 with runners in scoring position. With Martin on the bump for Chicago, Lewis should have ample opportunities to drive in a run as Minnesota's No. 3 batter.

Martin is making his first start since 2022, and his career numbers are nothing to shy away from. Across 66 MLB innings, Martin has a 4.77 ERA and has given up a 7.2% barrel rate. He permitted a run in 2 2/3 innings during his return to the majors last week, allowing six total base runners in the process in a relief outing.

That bodes well for someone as talented as Lewis, and it puts him in a nice spot to record an RBI tonight.

All customers get a 30% Profit Boost to use on a 3+ leg Same Game Parlay wager on any MLB game happening August 2nd! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking for more MLB betting opportunities? Check out all of the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.