After looking like a World Series contender at the start of the season, the New York Mets have collapsed. The culprit? A pitching staff that has been getting rocked over the last two months.
To shake up that rotation, the Mets have called up top pitching prospect Nolan McLean, and my MLB picks are backing him to have a strong debut.
Check out the rest of my favorite MLB player props for Saturday, August 16.
Best MLB player props today
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McLean Over 4.5 strikeouts (+100) -
Lowe Over 1.5 total bases (+135) -
Rooker Over 1.5 total bases (-115)
Our 3 best MLB player props for Saturday, August 16
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Nolan McLean Over 4.5 strikeouts (+100 at bet365)
Nolan McLean makes his MLB debut for the New York Mets today. MLB's No. 37 overall prospect, McLean has been dominant at Triple-A Syracuse, pitching to a 2.78 ERA with 97 punchouts in 87 1/3 innings.
He has fanned at least six batters in each of his last seven games. The 24-year-old has a five-pitch arsenal with a fastball that tops out at 98 mph and a devastating sweeper slider that has elite spin and movement.
The Seattle Mariners have power hitters in their lineup but those big bats also strike out a lot. They are 24th in the majors in strikeout rate (23.1%) with that number ticking up to 24.3% since the All-Star break.
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: WPIX | ROOTNW
Brandon Lowe Over 1.5 total bases (+135 at DraftKings)
Brandon Lowe went 0-4 at the dish last night, but the Tampa Bay Rays infielder is still slashing .291/.310/.600 over his last 14 games. The All-Star slugs .564 against righties this year while slugging .546 on the road.
That bodes well for him today in San Francisco with Justin Verlander on the mound. Verlander is in the bottom 20th percentile in xERA (4.70) while sitting in the bottom 15th percentile in ground ball rate.
Giving up fly balls to a hard-hitter like Lowe could prove especially problematic at Oracle Park tonight with the wind blowing towards the outfield at 20 mph.
- Time: 9:05 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBCS BA | FanDuel Sports Network Sun
Brent Rooker Over 1.5 total bases (-115 at bet365)
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker is seventh the majors in total bases (239) while slugging .495. He slugs .590 with the platoon advantage which he'll have today against Los Angeles Angels southpaw Tyler Anderson.
Anderson started the season strong but has regressed to the punching bag he's been his entire career. Over his last 15 starts, Anderson has pitched to a 5.84 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP. He's been getting hit especially hard lately, surrendering eight homers in his last 12 innings pitched.
Rooker has gone 5-14 with two homers and a double against Anderson in his career. He'll also have good matchups late in the game with L.A.'s bullpen 27th in the majors in ERA (4.87) and WHIP (1.43).
- Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBCSCA | FanDuel Sports Network West
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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