MLB Best Bets – Free (Friday 8/2)

After a small five-game slate Thursday, MLB is rolling deep Friday with a huge 15-gamer. Let’s build off of our Lawrence Butler wins last week with some more plus-money action here.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Oakland Athletics

Last week we cashed in on the Athletics’ scorching-hot young outfielder Lawrence Butler. Friday, we’ll look at his teammate who has arguably been even hotter at the plate, Brent Rooker. Over his last seven games, Rooker has posted a .321 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBIs and .679 SLG. Rooker’s numbers stack up even better over his last 15 games as well, at .362, 8, 22 and .828. Rooker will face Dodgers 25-year-old right-hander Gavin Stone. While Stone has been solid this season for LA, his pitch mix to right-handed hitters makes me intrigued by his matchup with Rooker.

Gavin Stone Pitch Mix to RHB:

• Sinker — 31.8%
• Slider — 28.2%
• Fastball — 19.7%

Brent Rooker vs. RHP 2024:

• .294 AVG
• .930 OPS
• 17 HR
• 16 Doubles

Brent Rooker vs. Gavin Stone’s Top 3 Pitches to RHB:

• SNK — .468 AVG, 22 Hits, 4 HR, .766 SLG
• SL — .340 AVG, 17 Hits, 6 HR, .780 SLG
• 4SFB — .261 AVG, 23 Hits, 3 HR, .443 SLG

Brent Rooker vs. SL, SNK, 4SFB from RHP L30 Days:

• 22/50
• .440 AVG, .440 ISO, 94.0 AVG Exit Velocity, 53% Hard Hit Rate
• 10 XBH
• 6 HR

With Rooker’s success against Stone’s pitch mix and his great play at home this season, I believe he’s in store for a big night. Rooker has a whopping 13 HRs against Stone’s top three pitches, let’s get the ladders out again.

Our MLB model pictured below supports Brent Rooker as well, projecting him for 1.86 total bases and 2.15 Hits+Runs+RBIs.

Best Bets

Brent Rooker o1.5 Total Bases (+150, Bet365), 1U
Brent Rooker o1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (+100, BetMGM), 1U)
Brent Rooker 4+ Total Bases (+375, Bet365), 0.25U