Thursdays are typically a travel day around the MLB, which tends to mean lighter days. That’s the case for Thursday, May 2, as there are only six games on hand, starting at 12:10 p.m. ET. This leaves bettors with limited options when it comes to picking player prop bets. With that in mind, here are our best MLB player prop bets, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Teddy Ricketson’s 2024 MLB Player Prop record: 28-31-3
Wednesday recap: Despite the favorable matchup, C.J. Abrams went 0-4 in the leadoff spot against Andrew Heaney and the Texas Rangers. Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander didn’t factor into the decision against the Cleveland Guardians and struck out only two batters over seven innings. We took the alternate 5+ strikeout line for Yoshinobu Yamamoto rather than the over on his 5.5 prop line. He finished with five strikeouts through six innings.
MLB player prop bets: Thursday, May 2
Spencer Arrighetti, over 1.5 walks allowed (-205)
Arrighetti’s season has mirrored the Houston Astros’ season overall in that it has been disappointing so far. He heads into Thursday’s matchup against the Cleveland Guardians with an 0-3 record and a 10.97 ERA. This will be Arrighetti’s fourth start of his career, and he has walked at least two batters in each of his appearances so far. Cleveland drew five walks in Wednesday’s victory.
Andres Gimenez, over 0.5 hits (-240)
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Gimenez came through for us, getting a hit on Tuesday. He is now riding a four-game hitting streak, going 7-17 in that span. Gimenez will take on the struggling Arrighetti on Wednesday. The Houston starter is allowing an overall opponent batting average of .367, but right-handed hitters are batting .429 against him. Gimenez should be able to extend his hitting streak on Thursday.
Carlos Rodon, 5+ strikeouts (-295)
Rodon will start his sixth game of the season and his first against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He has a 2-1 record with a 2.48 ERA and has struck out at least five batters in three of his last four outings. The Orioles and the New York Yankees are finishing up a four-game series on Thursday, and each New York starter has finished with exactly five strikeouts.