Today’s MLB Prop Picks and Best Bets: Volpe's Speed Comes in Handy

Prop bet #1: Volpe to steal a base

After a 21-game hit streak ended the day before, Volpe got back on base yesterday in a 1-for-4 showing. I like him to get on base and then snatch one after doing so tonight.

Of all those pitching today, none have given up more stolen bases over the past two seasons than Logan Webb, who takes the mound for San Francisco.

The total stands at 31, with a success rate of over 80% when runners try to nab a base. Volpe will enter this game leading the New York Yankees in stolen bases, and he has a relatively favorable matchup.

Volpe has a batting average above .250 against both of Webb's primary pitches. In addition to that, he's had strong expected slash numbers against the majority of the hurler's arsenal. These Anthony Volpe odds are too good to pass up.

Anthony Volpe prop: To steal a base (+220 at bet365)

Prop bet #2: Criswell Over 4.5 strikeouts

This is a fun one. Cooper Criswell will take the mound for the Boston Red Sox against the Detroit Tigers. Nobody has struck out at a higher clip in their last three games than the Tigers at around 11 per game, as well as nearly nine on the season.

Criswell doesn't have the most impressive strikeout numbers, but that's why this number has so much value. He has yet to face many teams that have struck out much this season except once, against the Washington Nationals at the start of May. That day, he struck out nine, which lights my eyes up when I look at these Cooper Criswell odds.

There's a lot of variance here so I sprinkled some alternate numbers. My projection of 7.2 seems dubious, but it highlights how much of a ceiling there could be. Criswell throws a heavy dosage of change-ups, and four Tigers are in the lineup today with an above-average strikeout rate against such pitches.

Cooper Criswell prop: Over 4.5 strikeouts (+136 at FanDuel)

Prop bet #3: Sale Over 18.5 outs

Did any pitcher in baseball have a better month than Sale? The veteran saw his Cy Young odds skyrocket, making him the third to second choice on odds boards, and for good reason. Sale has posted a .56 ERA and has allowed just one run in his last four starts. Quite impressive.

What's most notable about those starts relative to this bet? Three in a row have featured him completing seven innings, which makes me see some value in this number. Chris Sale's odds for his out total of 18.5 stand out, as that's a large number only reserved for the elite — but Sale has been that once again. It's hard to imagine this Oakland Athletics offense causing him too much trouble.

A must against Sale is putting the ball into the air. If you're looking for chinks in the armor, it would come against teams that can avoid groundballs. However, that's not Oakland.

Chris Sale prop: Over 18.5 outs (+145 at DraftKings)