Zack Wheeler is in a familiar matchup against the division rival Braves today and my MLB picks expect another strong outing from the Phillies ace.
See why I'm also backing Brewers hard-hitting catcher William Contreras and Giants fireballer Robbie Ray with my MLB player props for August 20.
MLB props for August 20
- Wheeler Over 6.5 strikeouts (-110 at BetMGM)
- Contreras Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-120 at bet365)
- Ray Over 6.5 strikeouts (-134 at FanDuel)
Today’s best MLB props
Prop bet #1: Zack Wheeler Over 6.5 strikeouts
Zack Wheeler is putting together another terrific season with the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching to a 2.72 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP through 24 starts. Wheeler is in the Top 20th percentile in strikeout rate and chase rate and today, he faces an Atlanta Braves lineup that's 24th in the majors in strikeout rate and 20th in chase rate.
The All-Star hurler has spent his entire career in the NL East and has a history of mowing down Braves hitters. He's struck out 7+ batters in eight of his last 10 starts against Atlanta, pitching to a 2.35 ERA over that span. He's also racked up 7+ punchouts in five of his last seven starts overall.
Prop bet #2: William Contreras Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras won his first Silver Slugger Award last year and he's been even better this season. He's slashing .282/.355/.464 with 80 runs and 71 RBI though 120 games.
Today, he's taking on the St. Louis Cardinals, who will send Erick Fedde to the mound. Fedde has been a mediocre starter for most of his career and while he put up good numbers with the White Sox at the start of the year, he's regressed since the Cards traded for him.
In his last four starts, he's pitched to a 5.85 ERA with an OBA of .275. Contreras has also mashed against Fedde in his career, going 5-for-8 at the plate with a pair of dingers.
Prop bet #3: Robbie Ray Over 6.5 strikeouts
Robbie Ray was third in the majors in strikeouts per 9 innings (12.1) in 2019 before leading the majors with 248 Ks in 2021. After having virtually his entire 2023 season wiped out by Tommy John surgery, the lefty is now back on the mound and throwing heat.
He made his season debut for the San Francisco Giants in late July and fanned 28 batters through just 20 1/3 innings in his first four starts. He was gradually seeing his pitch count rise and his velocity has returned to its pre-injury levels, with his four-seamer averaging 94.1 mph and his slider at 88.4 mph.
Ray surrendered five runs and got the hook midway through the first inning in his previous start last Wednesday, but don't expect an early exit today at home against a Chicago White Sox lineup that bats .221 with an OPS of .617 against southpaws. He should pitch deep enough into this contest to surpass this number.
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Today’s MLB games
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