MLB Player Props for Friday, 8/15: Best Bets & Predictions Today
What kind of performances can we expect on Friday from Zack Wheeler, Jose Ramirez, and Mookie Betts? Follow along as our MLB betting analyst, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite MLB prop bets for Friday, August 15th. 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 began earlier this afternoon with some day baseball at Wrigley Field, but the rest of the action doesn’t get underway until 6:40 PM ET. Of course, that means plenty of betting opportunities still on the board to begin the weekend!
As always, be sure to monitor our MLB starting lineups page throughout the day, as unexpected changes in the batting order can result in value opportunities in the betting and DFS markets.
Another reminder – it’s not a bad beat, or unlucky, if you bet a player to hit a home run and his fly ball dies on the warning track because it’s 40 degrees with the wind blowing in! Before locking in any bets, use our MLB weather page, curated by Chief Meteorologist, Kevin Roth. There are countless edges to be found if we make the right reads on possible rain delays and great hitting weather, just to name a few. Taking a look at the weather report can save us from a bad bet that otherwise looks good on the surface.
Below, you can find my 3 picks for Friday, August 15th!
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Best MLB Player Props for Friday, August 15
Here are my top player prop bets for today, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET on Friday, August 15th:
- Zack Wheeler Over/Under 7.5 Strikeouts
- Jose Ramirez Over/Under 1.5 Total Bases
- Mookie Betts Over/Under 0.5 Runs Scored
Zack Wheeler UNDER 7.5 Strikeouts (-110, DraftKings)
DRAFTKINGSWheeler had 7 strikeouts in his most recent start, but it’s difficult to overlook the fact that his velocity was down significantly across the board. He had that start pushed back due to “general soreness,” then averaged only 94.2 mph on his 4-seamer when he routinely sits 96+ mph on that offering. His spin rates didn’t look great either, which begs the question: how will he look tonight pitching on normal rest instead of extended rest? Washington’s offense certainly has their flaws, but this is a play on Wheeler’s health more than anything.
Jose Ramirez UNDER 1.5 Total Bases (-120, bet365)
BET365Ramirez has been hot since the All-Star Break, hitting .309 with a 170 wRC+. That being said, he has only a 6.7% barrel rate and 30% hard-hit rate during that span. His 86.4 mph average exit velocity in those 25 games is significantly worse than the league average hitter. Tonight, he will face Hurston Waldrep, who does a good job staying away from the barrel of bats. Waldrep also has some command issues across the platoon, which could lead to a Ramirez walk – further limiting his opportunities to accumulate a pair of total bases.
Mookie Betts UNDER 0.5 Runs Scored (-115, bet365)
BET365Betts has finally started heating up, hitting .400 with a 182 wRC+ since August 5th. He’s scored 9 runs in 8 games in that span. Still, the advanced metrics don’t scream breakout. Lately, he’s benefited from a likely unsustainable 40.6% line-drive rate, which has made up for his anemic 3.1% barrel rate. The Padres haven’t yet confirmed their pitching plans for tonight, but whether it’s Randy Vasquez or a true bullpen game, this is good value to wager against Betts crossing home plate.
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