MLB

3 MLB Prop Bets to Target on 5/17/18

Our models see value in Josh Donaldson in his matchup with Andrew Triggs. Which other prop bets are exploitable?

Prop betting odds can be useful in daily fantasy sports to help gauge the potential performance of a player on any given night in the MLB. Likewise, the same principles can be applied in the opposite direction -- by using our fantasy projections and models to help make more informed prop bets.

Using the odds available at Bovada Sportsbook, here are three prop bets available for Opening Day that are good plays based on our daily MLB game projections.

Please note that Vegas lines and our game projections may change throughout the day after this article is published.

Oakland Athletics at Toronto Blue Jays

Josh Donaldson OVER 2.5 Runs, Hits, and RBI (+115)

Josh Donaldson drove in two runs on Wednesday to go with a pair of runs scored. Tonight, the Toronto Blue Jays open a series with the Oakland Athletics, and our models think Donaldson could continue producing runs and hits.

The Jays are up against righty Andrew Triggs, and even though Donaldson is batting just .215 against right-handers this season, he also has a .246 isolated power against them. This has led to Donaldson owning some nice home run odds, and a projection of 2.89 runs, hits, and RBIs, per our models.

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox

Mookie Betts OVER 2.5 Runs, Hits, and RBI (-115)

Even though Mookie Betts hasn't hit a home run in a few weeks, that hasn't stopped him from getting on base and scoring runs. Betts has 47 combined runs, hits, and RBIs over 65 plate appearances this month, and against Kevin Gausman, his odds of keeping that going are pretty strong.

Betts has destroyed Gasuman over his career, hitting 12-for-29 (.414) with 3 home runs and 7 RBIs. We are projecting a combined 3.05 runs, hits, and RBIs from Betts on Thursday, making him a nice value.

Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox

Jose Abreu OVER 2 Runs, Hits, and RBI (+100)

The battle between the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers should be a good one, and Bovada is offering some nice value once again on the White Sox's first baseman, Jose Abreu.

Abreu has a lifetime .380 wOBA and .231 isolated power versus left-handers, and he's seeing Cole Hamels on Thursday. We are projecting Abreu for 2.76 runs, hits and RBIs in this one.