Best Bets on Today’s MLB Player Props Market
The 2023 MLB season is underway and VSiN has you covered with every way you can possibly bet on a baseball game. As always, Adam Burke will have daily best bets to give you some ideas of what to back when it comes to moneylines, run lines and totals. However, I’m tackling player props here, and I’m targeting Zack Wheeler, Justin Verlander and Seiya Suzuki on Thursday, June 8th. Keep reading to find out how I’m betting on all of them.
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MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on June 8
Here are our favorite MLB prop bets for Thursday, June 8th:
Detroit Tigers at Philadelphia Phillies (-250, 7.5)
This is a play I wanted to make yesterday, but the game ended up being postponed. But I’m still going back to it today. Zack Wheeler is coming off a miserable start against the Washington Nationals, as he gave up seven earned runs on eight hits in only 3.2 innings of work. Wheeler also had just three strikeouts in that game, but the oddsmakers still have his total all the way up at 8.5 in this one. It seems like they are very comfortable with bettors taking the under, but I think Wheeler will come through with a big day in the strikeout column.
While striking out nine batters in a single game isn’t easy, Wheeler has already done it twice this season. Now, Wheeler gets to face a Tigers team that has the sixth-highest strikeout rate in baseball against right-handed pitching this season. Also, Detroit has the third-worst batting average in the league against righties, which speaks to this team’s struggles with this type of matchup.
Wheeler also happens to be very good when pitching at Citizens Bank Park, so the stars are aligned for him to show out today.
Bet: Wheeler Over 8.5 Strikeouts (+120)
New York Mets at Atlanta Braves (-180, 8.5)
Justin Verlander is coming off a start in which he gave up just one earned run over 6.0 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, and the righty struck out eight hitters in that outing. Verlander has now looked strong in four of his six starts this season, and I’m expecting the righty to come correct in a meeting with the Braves.
There’s no denying that this is a tough matchup for Verlander, as the Braves have one of the most explosive offenses in baseball. But when has that mattered when Verlander has been on his game? This is one of the most untouchable pitchers in baseball when he’s locked in, and I think he’ll show up in a big way as he starts opposite Spencer Strider. Verlander knows that he needs to perform at a high level in order to give New York a chance, and that should mean that he’ll rise to the occasion.
With that in mind, I like playing the over on Verlander’s strikeout total tonight. Needing six out of one of the best pitchers of all time seems completely reasonable.
Bet: Verlander Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-135)
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels (-130, 9)
Seiya Suzuki was injured to start the 2023 season, but he’s batting .260 with six homers and 19 RBIs since returning to action. And the 28-year-old continues to dominate left-handed pitching, as he’s batting .362 with a homer, two doubles and eight RBIs in 47 at-bats against southpaws this season. Last year, Suzuki also posted strong numbers against lefties, which is why I like him to do some damage against Reid Detmers tonight.
Detmers is fully capable of going out and pitching well for the Angels, but there has been a lot more bad than good this season — which isn’t great considering many people pegged him for a breakout year. Detmers is just 0-5 with a 5.15 ERA in 2023, and he is also 0-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five home starts. With the lefty not consistently performing at a high level, I just see Suzuki looking forward to this matchup in a big way. So, I’m playing Suzuki to reach at least two total bases. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he flies over the number with a massive night at the plate.
Bet: Suzuki Over 1.5 Total Bases (+145)
Did you know that you can parlay these three picks together at +838 odds? Try out our VSiN Parlay Calculator HERE!
