The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers both saw their win streaks snapped in dramatic finishes last night, and they’re among the likeliest bounce-back candidates on today’s loaded slate.
That leaves the Seattle Mariners with the longest current winning run in the majors, and my MLB player props target all three ballclubs, including wagers on a lights-out effort from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and more fireworks from Randy Arozarena.
Let’s get into my favorite MLB picks for May 31.
Best MLB player props today
| Player | Pick | Odds |
|---|---|---|
 Yoshinobu Yamamoto |
Over 6.5 strikeouts | +116 |
 Ben Rice |
Over 1.5 total bases | -105 |
 Randy Arozarena |
Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs | -105 |
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over 6.5 strikeouts (+116)
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the majors in ERA and WHIP through the first third of the season — and the scariest part is that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is still ramping up to his very best stuff. His 0.98 WHIP ranks eighth in the league, and I'm buying into the consistency of his strikeout tallies.
Yamamoto has racked up 7+ Ks in five of his past seven outings, and his five-pitch arsenal (and 29% whiff rate) will keep the Philadelphia Phillies off balance today. He keeps his walks low — just 13 this year — and that's allowed him to pitch past the sixth inning in each of his last three starts.
It's also worth noting that the Phillies have scored three runs or fewer in six of their past eight games.
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBCS-Philadelphia, SportsNet-Los Angeles
Ben Rice Over 1.5 total bases (-105)
Put simply, Ben Rice is seeing pitches like soccer balls this week — and he's getting full value for his swings at the top of the New York Yankees lineup. Rice enters this afternoon's clash with the Athletics on a 10-for-17 tear across his last four games, including a homer, a triple, and three doubles.
He ranks second in the majors with a 1.047 OPS, and he's a standout hitter in just about every statistical category, from his .566 xSLG to his 17.7% barrel rate.
Equally effective against righties and lefties this year, look for Rice to feast against A's starter Jacob Lopez, who drags in a 5.73 ERA and 1.77 WHIP, and I'll take these plus-money odds for another busy day on the bases.
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: YES, NBCS-California
Randy Arozarena Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-105)
After a couple of down years, Randy Arozarena looks back to his best at the plate this season for the Seattle Mariners, and his .292 batting average speaks for itself.
Watch for Arozarena to put an exclamation point on an impressive week here by cashing this Over. He's piled up eight hits across his past six games, cashing this combo prop in three of those outings, and I'm encouraged by his 4-for-8 mark against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly.
Arozarena's savvy baserunning and his respectable 9.3% walk rate have contributed to 17 runs this month, and the RBI potential is off the charts with the in-form Mariners scoring a combined 40 runs in their last six contests.
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: DBacks.TV, Mariners.TV
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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