For the first time this week, we were unable to cash a home run prop on Thursday, but it won’t deter us from trying to end the week strong. These are our top three picks for HR on Friday’s action-packed MLB schedule.
White Sox vs. Yankees, Aaron Judge (+230 FanDuel), 7:05 p.m. ET
Considering how hot Aaron Judge is at the plate, this may be the least expensive home run prop we take all year. Throughout the past 15 days, the New York Yankees slugger has led MLB in batting average (.452), slugging percentage (1.024), and home runs (five). For whatever reason, his numbers have improved over the past week. In his 14 career plate appearances, Judge is slugging.636 and batting.364.
Rafael Devers (+450 FD) 8:15 p.m. ET, Red Sox vs. Cardinals
On this lovely Friday, we would like to fade Kyle Gibson with a home run prop. Out of 253 pitchers who have faced at least 75 batters this season, the St. Louis Cardinals starter is surrendering the 19th-highest barrel rate (11.5 percent). Rafael Devers, who has a career record of 8–18 versus Gibson, two doubles, and a.556 slugging percentage, should be our first choice. Devers is at bat right now.302 and hauling.593 against right-handed pitchers thus far this season, and he has hit six home runs against them.
AT 10:10 p.m. ET, Mookie Betts (+400 DraftKings) of the Reds vs. Dodgers
In his last 97 at-bats, Mookie Betts has only hit one home run, but tonight is the ideal chance for him to break out of his power slump. Over the last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers star has a.320 hitting average and a.560 slugging percentage against Cincinnati Reds starter Frankie Montas, where he is batting.444 in his career. The wind at Dodger Stadium is anticipated to blow heavily out to right-center field throughout the game, so this is a fantastic position to bet on Betts.