It took 11 years, but Bryce Harper props are finally a real thing for a World Series game — and boy, has he ever been pulling his weight to get his team here.
The two-time MVP, seven-time All-Star, and freshly named NLCS MVP has been absolutely raking this postseason and will get to play on baseball's biggest stage starting tonight when the 2022 Fall Classic kicks off.
There's no shortage of World Series props to sort through, but I've found some Harper-focused World Series Game 1 picks that will have both bettors and Philly fanatics (and the Philly Fanatic) excited about.
Here are my best free World Series picks for Bryce Harper in his World Series debut.
Bryce Harper World Series Game 1 prop picks
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Bryce Harper World Series Game 1 props
Red hot Harp
To say that Harper is on a heater is a bit of an understatement. After going 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the Philadelphia Phillies' Wild Card series, Harper is hitting at a .450 clip over the last 10 games, with seven multi-hit games and going Over the 1.5 total bases in nine of those contests.
Harper has more than three times the number of hits (18) than strikeouts (6) over that span, with 11 of his hits going for extra bases. Plus he's coming through in the clutch, hitting .400 with RISP, and that doesn't even include this somewhat-important home run:
BRYCE HARPER IS A PHILADELPHIA PHILLIE pic.twitter.com/UjLTijwIqe
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 23, 2022
If you're unsure what that is... it's the go-ahead dinger in the eighth inning to position the Phils' to win the NLCS. As I said, no biggie.
Harper doesn't have an easy Game 1 matchup on paper, going against Houston Astros ace (and possibly AL Cy Young winner) Justin Verlander, but this is actually a fit for Harper's strengths.
First: Verlander has been a little shaky through two postseason starts. He gave up six runs on 10 hits in four innings against Seattle in the ALDS, then has multiple runners reach (including a home run) in each of the first three innings against the Yankees in the ALCS... but escaped with minimal damage before cruising for the final three frames.
Second: Verlander doesn't throw 100 mph anymore, but the 39-year-old righty still throws his 95-96 mph fastball about 50% of the time, offset by a slider he slings 28.3% of the time, along with a curveball that he uses on roughly 19% of his pitches.
He has a sub-.200 opponent batting average on all of those pitches, but he could be playing with fire, as Harper hit .344 off fastballs, .311 off sliders, and .316 off curveballs this season. It will be a true strength vs. strength matchup — and must-see TV — when they square off, but if any hitter could have an edge on JV... it's Harper.
Third: Again, Harper is crushing everyone right now... and if he can get multiple at-bats against the Houston bullpen, which is very good but still not Verlander, then his chances of cashing this Over for the 10th time in 11 games look very good.
And you can get this as high as +120? Sold.
Prop: Bryce Harper Over 1.5 total bases (+120)
Cash in on Harper cashing in
Perhaps even sillier than Harper's total bases prop being plus money is Harper's RBI prop sitting as high as +180.
During this 10-game October heater, Harper has 11 RBI, driving in a run in six of those games. He's nestled in a prime run-producing spot in the lineup — fourth — with Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto in front of him, plus Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm protecting him.
None of those bats are as potent as Harper, but with one (or more) men on bases when No. 3 comes up, it will be very difficult for Verlander (or any pitcher) to pitch around him.
And if he's getting pitches to hit, right now he's more than likely going to hit them.
And if there are runners on base when he's hitting, it's more than like one of them comes around to score.
And if this prop is sitting at +180, it's 100% definite that I'm going to bet it.
Prop: Bryce Harper Over 0.5 RBI (+180)
