Although Thursday’s Major League Baseball schedule includes only three games, there remain promising opportunities for placing valuable MLB player prop bets. The New York Yankees will aim for their third consecutive home victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx. Later, the Cincinnati Reds begin a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves, while the Seattle Mariners open a four-game series against the Texas Rangers, seeking to rebound.
Elly De La Cruz MLB props stand out among the top player bets on this date, drawing significant attention from MLB bettors looking to capitalize on individual performances.
Value Found in Player Prop Bets with Advanced Analytics
MLB player props have become a favored option for bettors seeking value across sportsbooks. These props are offered for nearly every player on the roster for each game, allowing a wide range of betting choices. Leveraging these bets, SportsLine’s advanced computer model runs 10,000 simulations per game to provide projections that help identify advantageous picks. As it enters Week 19 of the 2025 season, this model maintains a profitable record of 27-22 on top-rated money-line selections, highlighting its predictive strength.
The model has particularly excelled in selecting home run props this season, generating more than 40 units of profit for bettors. Users have benefited from combining these insights with sportsbook promotions such as Fanatics Sportsbook’s recent offer of 10x $100 No Sweat Bets in FanCash.
Highlighting the Best Player Prop Picks for July 31
Among the most promising bets for this MLB betting slate are:
- Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees, projected to have over 0.5 hits at -150 odds
- Elly De La Cruz of the Reds, expected to surpass 2.5 total bases at +160 odds
- George Kirby of the Mariners, likely to record over 5.5 strikeouts at -125 odds
Bettors looking to maximize value can consider a parlay of these picks, with combined odds at +680 through sportsbooks like DraftKings.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Hitting Consistency in Thursday’s Matchup
Giancarlo Stanton has demonstrated solid form lately, registering at least one hit in eight of his last nine contests before Thursday’s game against the Rays. His performance this year is stronger against right-handed pitchers, where he’s slashing .289/.366/.530. He faces Tampa Bay right-hander Ryan Pepiot, whom Stanton has matched well, particularly during day games where he’s accumulated 10 hits, including a double and two home runs, alongside five runs batted in.
Elly De La Cruz Looks to Exploit Braves’ Pitching
Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati’s dynamic shortstop, has been effective in recent series play, compiling three hits and a walk across three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Against the Atlanta Braves this season, he has secured three hits and scored once already. Atlanta starter Carlos Carrasco, who has an elevated 5.91 ERA, surrendered 13 hits over his last two starts, potentially providing De La Cruz multiple chances to get on base and advance.
George Kirby’s Strikeout Potential Against Texas Rangers
George Kirby remains a reliable strikeout pitcher despite allowing hits. In two of his previous four starts, he recorded nine strikeouts each, often working deep into games. Kirby has impressive history facing the Rangers, striking out 13 batters over three games last season, which indicates he is well-positioned to exceed 5.5 strikeouts in the upcoming game.
Where to Access Additional MLB Player Prop Projections
The projections discussed here highlight several standout picks for Thursday’s MLB games, but a comprehensive set of player prop projections is available through SportsLine’s platform. Bettors seeking a wider range of options for their wagering strategies can consult these models to analyze every player prop for the day.