Best MLB Player Prop Picks Today 4/26: Phillies punk Joe Musgrove | Pickswise

Friday calls for a 14-Game slate, and what better way than by diving into a couple of MLB player props?  You can find out our MLB picks for today’s huge matchups, but for now, let’s dive into our best MLB player prop bets for Friday, April 26.

Joe Musgrove (SD) Over 2.5 earned runs (-110)

Line available at ESPNBET at time of publishing.

It has not been a stellar start to 2024 for Joe Musgrove. Following a 2023 campaign with him in the top 10% of xERA, he answered that with a 6.73 xERA through 6 starts this season. Musgrove will battle the Phillies, which is not a great sign — especially after the Padres used 5 bullpen arms yesterday. The Phillies’ offense is surging at the moment. Trea Turner is playing like an MVP candidate, Bryce Harper returned to the lineup yesterday following the birth of his third child and hit a home run and Alec Bohm is off to a career-best start. One through 6 in this lineup can put a ton of pressure on Musgrove, who has allowed at least 3 earned runs in all but one start this season.

Musgrove is slated to go deep into this Game like he has the last few seasons on most occasions. The deeper Musgrove goes into this Game, the better chance the Phillies have at scoring three runs off him.

Read our full Philadelphia Phillies vs San Diego Padres predictions

Shota Imanaga (CHC) Under 2.5 earned runs (-137)

Line available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.

I’ll be sure to tune into the pitching matchup between Shota Imanaga and Kutter Crawford. Both pitchers rank in the top 5 in ERA at below 1.00, while Imanaga has done a great job limiting walks and having batters chase outside the strike zone.

I’m confused by this line, as the Red Sox aren’t an offense many left-handed pitchers fear. They rank in the bottom 10 in batting average and middle of the pack in slugging and wRC+. The weather looks more than ideal for both pitchers tonight. Give me the side of Imanaga to continue his sensational start to 2024. 

Read our full Chicago Cubs vs Boston Red Sox predictions

Zac Gallen (ARI) Over 4.5 hits allowed (-111)

Line available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.

Zac Gallen will face off against the disappointing Seattle Mariners on the road — on the road being emphasized. Gallen has been much worse on the road in his career than at home. Even last season, during his Cy Young-esque year, Gallen registered a 4.42 ERA while allowing at least 5 hits in 12 of 19 starts.

Following a tough start to the season, the Mariners find themselves winners of 7 of their last 9 Games primarily due to the offense finally heating up. During that 9-Game span, the Mariners are averaging close to 5 runs per Game. A series at Coors Field was all they needed. Nonetheless, they have found themselves in the top 10 in almost all major hitting categories against RHP in the last week.