MLB Player Props for Thursday, 8/21: Best Bets & Predictions Today
What kind of performances can we expect on Thursday from Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Jesus Sanchez? Follow along as our MLB betting analyst, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite MLB prop bets for Thursday, August 21st. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more MLB plays, by subscribing to the RotoGrinders Props & Pick’em package.
Thursday’s 9-game MLB slate began earlier this afternoon in Minnesota, but there are still 8 games left to get underway as of this writing. Of course, that means plenty of time left to find a few bets today.
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 Thursday, August 21st!
Editor’s Note: Don’t live in a state with sports betting? Use our Underdog promo code & PrizePicks referral code GRINDERS for over $1,000 in sign-up bonuses for fantasy pick’em contests today.
Best MLB Player Props for Thursday, August 21
Here are my top player prop bets for today, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:10 PM ET on Thursday, August 21st:
- Jose Altuve Over/Under 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
- Christian Walker Over/Under 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
- Jesus Sanchez Over/Under 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
Jose Altuve OVER 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs (-135, BetMGM)
BETMGMThe entire Houston lineup is struggling at the moment, and that includes Altuve, who is 3-for-31 at the plate across his last 8 games. That being said, this offense has a great opportunity to break out of their slump against Brandon Young. Young had their number last week, but it’s a difficult task for any starting pitcher to face the same lineup twice in the span of 7 days. Altuve is hitting .279 with a 120 wRC+ against RHP this year. He’s overdue for a strong night at the dish.
Christian Walker OVER 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs (-110, Caesars)
CAESARSWalker was one of the many Houston hitters who didn’t have a hit last week against Brandon Young, but the good news for them is they get a chance for revenge this evening. When an offense sees a starting pitcher twice in the span of a week, the advantage frequently favors the hitters more than the pitcher. Walker has been hitless in 5 of his last 7 games, but he gets a good matchup tonight against a very hittable pitcher. This could be a good bounce-back spot for him.
Jesus Sanchez OVER 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs (+100, BetMGM)
BETMGMEntering play on Thursday, Sanchez is 0-for-29 at the plate in his last 10 games, which includes a few pinch-hit appearances. There isn’t much evidence to suggest that Sanchez has been seeing the ball well. He has a 0% barrel rate and a 22.2% hard-hit rate, but if there was ever a matchup to break out of a slump, it’s this one. Brandon Young has struggled to a 5.80 FIP and 1.78 WHIP against lefties in 2025. Prior to flirting with a no-hitter last week, Young had allowed 3+ earned runs in 7 of his 10 outings this season.
Image Credit: Imagn