Monday, September 18 MLB odds, props, trends: Bettors backing Mets slugger Pete Alonso, fading teammate Jose Butto

MLB's stretch run is here, with less than two weeks remaining in the 2023 regular season. The New York Mets are playing for nothing but pride and as potential spoiler as they're well under .500, but the two most-wagered player props on the DraftKings MLB board tonight are on New York pitcher Jose Butto and slugger Pete Alonso in Miami.

Atlanta already has clinched the NL East, so it's Wild Card or bust for the Marlins (78-72) to reach the playoffs for the first time in a full season since winning their last World Series in 2003. They did reach in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign and were swept in the NLDS. Miami enters off a huge three-game home sweep of the Braves and starts Edward Cabrera (6-7, 4.52 ERA).

Cabrera has allowed 11 homers in 19 outings this year, and Alonso Over 0.5 homers (+450) is among the most popular props overall as well and is the No. 1 home run prop. Alonso's 45 homers are No. 2 in the National League and eight shy of his career high set in his 2019 NL Rookie of the Year campaign. Alonso's road splits are actually better than his numbers at home -- he's batting .243 with a .929 OPS and 24 homers away. Against the Marlins this year, he has three homers in 26 at-bats. Against Cabrera, Alonso is 3-for-10 with three homers.

The rookie Butto (1-2, 3.46 ERA) makes his seventh appearance of the season. He was called back up from Triple-A early this month to take the spot of the injured Carlos Carrasco in the rotation. Butto has had consecutive starts with at least five innings pitched and two runs or fewer allowed, with at least six strikeouts in each, as he makes a case for a possible 2024 spot.

Yet Butto Under 4.5 strikeouts (-150) is the popular prop. Butto hasn't faced Miami. The Marlins rank 25th in batter strikeouts overall.

Tonight's other popular MLB player props at DraftKings:

Rangers' Jordan Montgomery Over 15.5 outs (+100) vs. Red Sox: The lefty has topped this number in six of eight starts since being traded to Texas.

Marlins' Edward Cabrera Over 3.5 hits allowed (+120) vs. Mets: Cabrera has allowed fewer than 3.5 hits in each of his past three outings, but also didn't go more than 4.2 innings in those games. He is expected to be a true starter here and not follow an opener.

Twins' Joe Ryan Over 6.5 strikeouts (+110) at Reds: Ryan has topped this in three of his past four, but his road splits overall are significantly worse.  

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