We've got 10 games on the MLB betting board today and with several taking place in the afternoon, let's get things going with our favorite MLB player props.
I'm backing Elly De La Cruz to homer in a matinee clash and my MLB picks are also eyeing Jose Ramirez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to go yard. Here are my best free home run props for Thursday, April 17.
Best MLB home run props today
Elly De La Cruz (+425 at BetMGM)
Jose Ramirez (+550 at bet365)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (+550 at DraftKings)
HR picks for April 17
Elly De La Cruz (+425 at BetMGM)
The Seattle Mariners have recalled Emerson Hancock from the minors and will send him to the mound for this afternoon tilt against the Cincinnati Reds.
Hancock struggled as a rookie last year, pitching to a 4.75 ERA and surrendering 12 dingers in 60 2/3 innings, ranking in the bottom fifth percentile of all pitchers in hard hit rate (46%) and expected slugging percentage (.484).
The 25-year-old was rocked in his only big league start this year, allowing six runs and a home run before getting the hook midway through the first inning against the Tigers.
Mariners pitchers benefit from playing home games at T-Mobile Field, but this series is taking place at Great American Ball Park, which is on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to facilitating long balls.
The Reds don't have many powerful sluggers but infielder Elly De La Cruz is the best of the bunch. The shortstop is in the Top 10th percentile in hard-hit rate, average exit velocity, and barrel rate. He has an expected slugging percentage of .559 this season and slugged .523 against righties last year.
Jose Ramirez (+550 at bet365)
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez is one of the top hitters in baseball. The switch-hitter tied a career high with 39 home runs last year, earning his fifth Silver Slugger.
Ramirez jacked three homers against the Angels on April 4 but has gone ice-cold since, going 10-straight games without a home run and just one double. That said, Ramirez has a proven track record, so expect him to snap out of that slump soon, and tonight's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles might be the perfect opportunity.
Tomoyuki Sugano is toeing the rubber for Baltimore today. The 35-year-old Sugano was a star in Japan but he has looked shaky in his MLB debut season. He has an OBA of .304 through three starts and have given up a homer in each of his past two outings.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (+550 at DraftKings)
The New York Yankees will feel right at home at Steinbrenner Field for this series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The replica of Yankee Stadium is being used for Rays home games this season and is far friendlier for hitters than Tropicana Park.
Aaron Judge leads the Yankees with seven homers this season but with his "to hit a home run" prop sitting at just +180 there's more value with Jazz Chisholm, who is second on the club with six dingers.
The Rays are sending talented right-hander Taj Bradley to the hill. Bradley is a quality starter who throws with high velocity, which makes him susceptible to the long ball when hitters make contact. He gave up 22 dingers in 25 starts last year and has allowed a pair of homers this season.
Bradley also struggles against lefties like Chisholm, allowing a slugging percentage of .428 against them last year. Chisholm excels with the platoon advantage, slugging .548 against righties this year and slugging .461 against them last season.
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