Thursday's Major League Baseball slate largely features a whole afternoon of MLB action and only one evening game on tap. We get to scratch that MLB Underdog Fantasy itch earlier than normal as you watch some afternoon baseball today. Let's take a look at the top MLB picks and MLB player props to target for Thursday's daily fantasy baseball slate. Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. headlines our MLB daily picks today. Plus, Kevin Gausman toes the rubber for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight if you want some action later. Check out these free MLB player props and MLB daily picks on Underdog Fantasy for “Pick'Em” contests tonight. Don't forget to check out the latest MLB weather report and the confirmed MLB lineups when placing those MLB betting picks. Plus, the MLB daily projections and MLB Batter vs Pitcher page will help you find the best matchups for MLB player props and MLB DFS lineups. Now, let's dive into the top MLB player picks on Underdog Fantasy for Thursday, May 4th.

 

MLB Underdog Fantasy Top Picks May 4

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves – OVER 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI

With how hot Ronald Acuna Jr. is at the plate, it’s usually a good idea to back his player props on a nightly basis. Through 31 games, the early-season MVP contender is hitting .355 with a 1.039 OPS, six homers, 28 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, and 19 RBI. Although his batting average has decreased a bit in the past week, he’s still batting .318 over the past seven games with seven runs and eight RBI in that span. Acuna has gone over 1.5 combined hits+runs+RBI in six of his past seven full games (he exited early in one), in 17 of the past 22 games, and 24 of 31 games overall this season. Tonight, he plays in Miami at a ballpark he loves to hit at. Acuna has a career .333 BA and 1.035 OPS in Miami. The Braves will face Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who owns a 3.48 ERA and 3.71 FIP this year. It’s not the best of matchups, but we’re still backing Acuna here. 

Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays – OVER 101.5 Pitch Count

In their current series against the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays' starting pitchers have been getting hit hard this week. Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, and Alek Manoah each gave up five runs apiece and neither lasted six innings. This has forced Toronto to use a ton of relievers over the past three games and days in Boston, and even going back a fourth straight day in a high-scoring loss to Seattle. In fact, the last time the Jays got a good outing from a starting pitcher was in Kevin Gausman’s previous outing this past Saturday. He tossed seven scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts and 108 pitches. 

Toronto needs Gausman to go out and have another strong appearance to not only avoid a sweep by the Red Sox, but also because the bullpen is overworked right now. Gausman has tossed at least 103 pitches in three of his four starts and he has 14 shutout innings with a 24:1 K:BB ratio over the last two outings. The Jays starter boasts a 2.33 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over his first six starts this season. The advanced metrics show that he’s been pitching just as well as that low ERA says – with a 2.37 FIP and 3.08 xERA. This matchup vs Boston is definitely tough, but Toronto needs Gausman to go as deep as he can. That’s why we’re banking on a high pitch count instead of strikeouts or other props.  

 

MLB Best Bets

If you are looking for some MLB Best Bets today, make sure you check out betting picks from Howard Bender for today's slate of games.

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