MLB action is spread throughout the day, giving us plenty of MLB Prop Bets to choose from. All of my MLB picks listed below are available on DraftKings Sportsbook if you want to tail along. This article will cover games starting at 6:35 p.m. ET.
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MLB Prop Bets for Thursday, April 17, 2025
Mike Trout over 1.5 H/R/RBI -125
Kumar Rocker will take the mound for the Rangers, much to the delight of the Angels. Rocker has struggled this season, posting a 7.94 ERA, a 6.90 xERA, and a 5.57 FIP. As a sinkerball pitcher, he induces many groundballs, but the Angels’ lineup handles that pitch well. Mike Trout, in particular, has a .426 wOBA and a .391 ISO against sinkers since last season. Other players in the lineup, like Taylor Ward and Jorge Soler, also hit sinkers effectively. Statistically, Trout is well-positioned to exceed his projected total bases or drive in runs, whether he gets on base or bats with runners in scoring position. Additionally, the Rangers’ bullpen may face a heavy workload, as Rocker has not pitched beyond five innings in his three starts.
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Reese Olson under 16.5 outs recorded -110
Reese Olson has not pitched deep into games this season. In his three starts, he has recorded fewer than 16.5 outs in two of them. A major issue with Olson’s performance has been his command, as evidenced by a 4.8 BB/9, with eight walks in 15 innings. This marks a significant increase from his career norms, as he never exceeded a 2.8 BB/9 in his two prior seasons.
Olson’s struggles extend beyond his command. While his 6.00 ERA is slightly inflated, his 4.59 xERA confirms his poor performance. His slider has been particularly ineffective, with opposing hitters posting a .375 batting average, a .401 xBA, and a .378 wOBA against it. This pitch, along with his sinker, has been his primary offering. The heart of the Royals’ lineup, including Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Michael Massey, performs well against sliders. These factors suggest Olson will record fewer than 16.5 outs tonight.
Want to see who is pitching today? Check out our Starting Pitchers article to see today’s matchups.
Brandon Lowe 2+ total bases +145
This is an alternate total bases prop bet for Nathaniel Lowe, with his line set at 0.5 (-180 odds). If you prefer the 0.5 line, that’s a reasonable option, but it’s pricey. However, the 2+ total bases prop at +145 is appealing due to the matchup against Yankees starter Will Warren. Since his call-up to the majors last season, Warren has struggled against left-handed batters, posting a .400 wOBA and a 5.86 FIP. Warren relies on three pitches thrown in roughly equal proportions: a four-seam fastball, a sweeper, and a sinker. Lowe performs well against four-seam fastballs and sinkers, with strong metrics like a high wOBA and batting average. This matchup supports selecting the 2+ total bases prop.
Double Play Parlay: Yankees/Angels over 0.5 defensive double plays +170
DraftKings Sportsbook offers an intriguing market under the “Team Totals” section, including the “Team Total Bases” market, which is a frequent focus for bettors. Another compelling option is the double-play market, which pertains to the number of double plays a team turns defensively, not the number they hit into. When selecting teams to parlay in this market, consider the following factors:
- A team that hits many ground balls
- A pitcher that induces a lot of ground balls ( think of mainly sinker ball pitchers)
In the double-play parlay market, select the Yankees and Angels to each turn a double play. The Rays have the second-highest groundball rate in the league at 48%, and Yankees starter Will Warren induces groundballs at a 43% rate. For the Angels, sinkerball pitcher Jack Kochanowicz, who throws a sinker 56% of the time, is starting. Pairing them together gets you +170 on the parlay.
Good luck with these MLB picks for tonight!
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