Our extended weekend is almost here, and there's no better way to get it started than by cashing some player props.
I've found three guys to target on today's slate.
So, without further ado, let's dive into our MLB player props for Friday, May 24, featuring prop bets for Matt Manning, Jose Urena and Teoscar Hernandez.
MLB Player Props: Friday, May 24
- Matt Manning Over 1.5 Walks (-120, bet365)
- Jose Urena Under 15.5 Outs (-105, DraftKings)
- Teoscar Hernandez Under 2.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-140, DraftKings)
The Tigers will hand the ball to Matt Manning tonight. Manning has had a rough start to his 2024 campaign, entering with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.
A big reason for his struggles has been his command. Manning has been inconsistent with his command, which has led to him falling behind in counts. This has caused him to surrender a lot of contact and walk batters, which explains his very high WHIP.
He'll be up against a Blue Jays lineup that'll make him work, as they rank seventh in walk rate and have the fifth-lowest strikeout rate.
We should expect Manning to be careful with the top of the order.
That's a recipe for free passes, and Manning has shown this year that he'll allow them. Manning has walked at least two batters in four of his five starts this year, and I see that trend continuing tonight.
Pick: Matt Manning Over 1.5 Walks (-120)
Next, we head to the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
While this game may have a high total in a great hitters park, we have good reason to fade Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
The bulk of Hernandez's at-bats are set to come against Graham Ashcraft. Both Hernandez's and Ashcraft's splits suggest adverse outcomes at the plate.
Teoscar typically hits lefties well, and that has continued this year in L.A. He's hitting just .223 against righties this year.
As for Ashcraft, right-handed hitters are batting just .224 against him.
The matchup is tough, and history shows that this total is too high for Hernandez. He's gone under this number in 65% of his last 345 games.
That hit rate gives us implied odds of -186, which means that he'll stay under tonight.
Pick: Teoscar Hernandez Under 2.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-140)
Lastly, we head to Minnesota, where Jose Urena is set to make his fourth start of the year for the Rangers.
Surprisingly, Urena has been solid in his handful of starts, as he comes into this one having allowed just four runs in his three starts.
However, I'm not ready to say Urena has turned himself around after years of being one of the hardest-hit pitchers in baseball.
Urena hasn't posted an ERA under five since 2018 and is due for regression this year, as he's not missing many bats.
His uptick in slider usage has led to many ground balls, but the Twins have the second-lowest ground-ball rate in the majors.
They look to be Urena's kryptonite and should send him to the showers early.
