MLB Player Props for Friday, 5/1: Best Bets & Predictions Today
What kind of performances can we expect from Colin Rea, Zack Wheeler, and Nick Kurtz? Follow along as our MLB betting analyst, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite MLB prop bets for Friday, May 1, 2026. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more MLB plays, by subscribing to the RotoGrinders Props & Pick’em package.
Friday’s 15-game MLB slate will begin at 2:20 PM ET with an afternoon affair between the Diamondbacks and Cubs at Wrigley Field. The rest of today’s action is scheduled for a first pitch of 6:40 PM ET or later.
Though the calendar has officially flipped to May, the MLB weather still looks grim across much of the country. Bettors will find cold temperatures in Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota to begin the weekend. As always, be sure to keep an eye on the forecast before committing to any wagers.
Below, you can find three of my favorite picks for Friday, May 1st!
Best MLB Player Props for Friday, May 1st
Here are my top player prop bets for today, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET on Friday, May 1st:
- Colin Rea Over/Under 16.5 Outs Recorded
- Zack Wheeler Over/Under 17.5 Outs Recorded
- Nick Kurtz Over/Under 0.5 Batter Walks
Colin Rea OVER 16.5 Outs Recorded (-129, Caesars)
CAESARSRea was roughed up by the Dodgers in his most recent outing, but prior to that, he had cruised to a 3.00 ERA, 3.41 xERA, 3.30 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP across 5 appearances. He’s been throwing more 4-seamers against righties and more splitters against lefties, which has helped him limit quality contact.
The forecast at Wrigley Field is certainly on the pitcher-friendly side, with the temperature below 50 degrees and 10-mph winds blowing in from right-center field around first pitch. Rea has been reasonably efficient, averaging 3.91 pitches per batter faced during the last 30 days. Arizona is a patient offense, but Rea should still have an opportunity to work into the 6th inning.
Zack Wheeler UNDER 17.5 Outs Recorded (+122, DraftKings)
DRAFTKINGSThis is very much a price-sensitive wager. Philadelphia used every available reliever in their bullpen during yesterday’s doubleheader, which has the market, understandably, assuming that they will try to get length from Wheeler. That said, Wheeler has yet to complete 6 innings in any outing this season – in the minors or in his lone MLB start. He maxed out at 20 batters faced during his build-up in the minor leagues, and he faced only 20 batters across 5 innings last week against the Braves.
The Marlins are a favorable matchup, and the Phillies will certainly try to push Wheeler deep into this game if possible. The price here is simply too good to pass, considering that Wheeler might only be good for around 90 pitches. That last out in the 6th inning isn’t always as easy as it seems.
Nick Kurtz UNDER 0.5 Batter Walks (+135, bet365)
Incredibly, Kurtz has drawn a walk in 19 consecutive games – the longest streak since Roy Cullenbine walked in 19 consecutive games during the 1947 campaign. Consequently, we are getting a good price to bet on this streak to conclude tonight.
Joey Cantillo doesn’t have elite command, but he’s much more aggressive in the zone in same-sided matchups, evident from his minuscule 3.1% walk rate against lefties this season. Kurtz’s walk rate this season is lower against LHP (21.3%) than against RHP (25%).
Image Credit: Imagn