Best MLB Player Prop Bets for April 28 (Archive)
Thursday is a getaway day around the majors, which means plenty of matinee action and some key players may sit. Here are three MLB player prop picks we like with odds from BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review), one of BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks.
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Thursday, April 28, 2022 – 03:07 PM EDT at Rogers Centre
Alek Manoah Over/Under 6.5 Strikeouts
While official lineups aren’t out as of this writing, Red Sox manager Alex Cora – who rejoined the team Wednesday after being away due to a positive COVID test – had said that All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts will get today off. That’s great news for the Jays as Bogaerts is Boston’s hottest hitter with seven hits over his last two games. His 29 hits overall are the most in the majors.
Without Bogaerts, I like the Jays to win this matchup and also on the first-five inning line behind young Toronto pitcher Alek Manoah as the 24-year-old right-hander is a potential future Cy Young winner. He’s 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 18 strikeouts on the season.
Manoah faced the Red Sox twice last season, going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings while holding Boston batters to a .211 batting average. He has won each of his last seven starts dating to last season, tied for the third-longest streak in franchise history.
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While I think Manoah dominates, I will go under his strikeout total only as the Jays generally don’t let him go more than six innings to protect his arm, and he has struck out more than six once in three starts so far.
MLB Pick: Jays Pick’em on FF (-130) at BetOnline
MLB Pick: Manoah Under 6.5 Strikeouts (-108) at BetOnline
Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Angels
Thursday, April 28, 2022 – 04:07 PM EDT at Angels Stadium
Taylor Ward Over/Under 0.5 Runs
We recommended two-player props for this matchup on Wednesday, both on the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani. We lost on his over/under pitching strikeouts as the Halos pulled him after only five innings but won on his over/under hits.
The hottest Angels hitter right now is outfielder Taylor Ward. Since returning from the injured list, he has hit .353 with three homers, nine runs, and five RBIs. Ward went 3-for-4 with a grand slam, a triple, a double, and four runs scored in Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Guardians.
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He just needed a single in the seventh inning to complete the cycle. The thought of accomplishing that, Ward said, seeped into his mind and made him overly aggressive. He swung on the first pitch and hit a harmless fly ball to right field. There have been just eight cycles in Angels' history.
A mild groin strain forced Ward to the injured list to begin the season but he’s now hitting .395 on the season with 13 runs scored. He hasn’t faced Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill.
MLB Pick: Ward Over 0.5 Runs (-105) at BetOnline
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves
Thursday, April 28, 2022 – 07:20 PM EDT at Truist Park
Ronald Acuna Jr. Over/Under 0.5 Runs
This game is nationally televised by the MLB Network and it’s great that it is because the news of the day is that the Braves are activating superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. from the injured list and he’ll start – probably at designated hitter for a while. The NL MVP candidate was off to a huge start last season when he tore his ACL on July 10 in Miami, obviously missing the Braves’ run to the World Series title.
The original target date for Acuna to return was May 6, but he was raking in six minor-league rehab games by going 7-for-19 (.368) with a double, six walks, three steals and six strikeouts. The Braves' decision to activate Acuna could have been motivated by losing outfielder Eddie Rosario for eight to 12 weeks.
Acuna is expected to slide right into the leadoff spot. He scored 72 runs in 82 games last year, and we like him to cross home plate at least once tonight. Acuna is 0-for-2 career off Cubs pitcher (and former Brave) Drew Smyly.
MLB Pick: Acuna Over 0.5 Runs (-105) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.