MLB Today’s Best Bets for 07/17: Home Run Picks & Top Player Props

MLB Today’s Best Bets for 07/17: Home Run Picks & Top Player Props

It’s a solid 15-game slate on the diamond to as we come out of the All-Star break Friday, starting at 1:35 pm ET when the Rays open a weekend set and a doubleheader with the Red Sox in Beantown. The schedule gives plenty of opportunities to find the best MLB bets today, including the top home run props. After looking over the slate, we’ve identified our favorite plays to bolster your bankroll. Without further ado, let’s get to the best options on the board for Friday, July 17.

Best MLB Bets Today: Player Props for July 17

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs Over 1.5 Total Bases (-120, DraftKings)

Crow-Armstrong is hot right now so taking advantage of this situation is the smart thing to do. He has 12 hits, including three homers, in his last 10 games. In addition, he’s racked up 23 total bases in his last 10 games entering this one. Crow-Armstrong has cashed in six of his last 10 games. In addition, he has a .371 average with seven doubles, 14 homers and 12 steals since June 1. He’s hitting .291 with 15 doubles, four triples, 21 homers, 53 RBI and 24 steals on the year. Crow-Armstrong has never faced the Twins’ Bailey Ober in his career. With as hot as Crow-Armstrong is right now, ride the over again here.

Chris Sale, Braves Over 7.5 Strikeouts (+105, Fanatics)

Sale may be 37 and not going as deep into games for the Braves as in the past but he still gets the job done. He owns a 9-6 record with a 2.20 ERA, a 1.112 WHIP and 117 punchouts over 98 innings of work on the year. Meanwhile, his 10.7 K/9 innings marks the seventh straight season where he pitched at least 40 innings with a double-digit K/9 rate. The Rangers are slightly above average in terms of strikeouts as they fan 8.39 times per nine innings this season. Meanwhile, that number climbs to 8.96 whiffs a game on the road. In his career, Sale has limited current Rangers’ hitters to a .185 average in 27 at-bats. Meanwhile, he has a 40.7% whiff rate (11 Ks) in that sample size. Take the over here as a result.

Roki Sasaki, Dodgers Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-132, DraftKings)

Sasaki has had a tough year for the Dodgers but he’s been better of late. He enters this one 3-5 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.358 WHIP over 81 innings of work. Sasaki has served up 19 homers on the year but does have 80 strikeouts to his credit. Facing a Yankees squad that strikes out at the fifth-highest rate in the majors (9.03 punchouts per nine innings) could prove beneficial for Sasaki. None of the current Yankees’ hitters have faced Sasaki in the majors so he has the advantage. This is a low strikeout total. While Sasaki is prone to the long ball, he passed this number in six of his last 10 starts. Take the over here as he should be able to get five or six Ks here.

Home Run Picks Today (07/17):

James Wood, Nationals (+316, DraftKings)

Wood had a solid first half for the Nationals. He enters the second half of the year with a .279 average, 23 doubles, 28 homers, 64 RBI and 15 steals. In addition, he has 79 walks to his credit. Sure, he strikes out a fair amount (129 Ks) but more than half (52 of 103) of his hits are for extra bases. Temperatures at first pitch are expected to be in the high-80s with winds between 10 and 15 miles per hour toward left-center. Sutter Health Park is extremely hitter friendly this season and Wood should take full advantage of what the park has to offer. Look for him to deposit a ball in the seats during this contest.

Hunter Goodman, Rockies (+271, DraftKings)

The Rockies haven’t been great this season but Goodman has found his power stroke. After clubbing 31 homers in 144 games last season for Colorado, he’s turned the power up in 2026. Goodman enters the second half hitting .254 but has 27 homers in 338 at-bats on the year. Meanwhile, that puts him on pace for what would be a career-high 45 bombs this season. While he’s been surprisingly better on the road (.282 average, 18 HR) than at Coors Field (.223 average, 9 HR in 157 at-bats) this season, he’s primed for a breakout at Coors. Game-time temperatures are in the low 90s, which helps the ball carry. Goodman is one for three in his career against Cincinnati’s Brady Singer with a triple to his credit. Meanwhile, Singer has coughed up 20 long balls in 89.2 innings this season. Back him here as he keeps the power surge going.