Sports analysts identify three MLB players with favorable home run matchups for Saturday
A 15-game slate on May 9 features matchups where batters possess significant historical advantages against right-handed starters.
Sports analysts have identified three Major League Baseball players as strong candidates for home run prop bets on Saturday, May 9. The selections, driven by specific statistical advantages, feature Chicago White Sox phenom Munetaka Murakami against Seattle's Luis Castillo, Miami catcher Javy Hicks against Washington's Zack Littell, and Chicago Cubs outfielder David Happ against Texas's Jack Leiter.
The Chicago White Sox matchup centres on Murakami, who is currently tied for the MLB lead with 15 home runs in the 2026 season. The Japanese slugger has homered 11 times against right-handed pitchers this year, a metric that becomes relevant as he faces Castillo. The Seattle Mariners pitcher has recorded a 6.29 ERA in 2026 and has allowed three home runs in his last three starts, presenting a vulnerability in his recent form.
In Miami, catcher Javy Hicks has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the campaign, hitting .316 with an OPS of .948. He has homered nine times this year and faces Zack Littell of the Washington Nationals. Littell has allowed 13 home runs in just 32 1/3 innings, resulting in a high clip of 3.6 home runs per nine innings. Hicks holds an OPS over 1.000 against right-handed pitching, with eight of his nine home runs coming off right-handers.
The Chicago Cubs outfielder David Happ leads his team with nine homers and an OPS of .869 in 2026. He is scheduled to face Jack Leiter, a young right-hander for the Texas Rangers who has posted a 5.45 ERA in seven starts. Leiter has been susceptible to the long ball of late, having allowed seven home runs this year, including four in his last two starts. Happ has an OPS of .955 against right-handed pitching, with six of his nine home runs coming off right-handers.
The MLB schedule features a 15-game slate on Saturday, May 9, providing a concentrated opportunity for these specific player prop opportunities. While historical context notes that Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin recently recorded a career-best start against the Miami Marlins, this performance is unrelated to the specific May 9 matchup involving Zack Littell.
General betting context highlights the popularity of MLB home run player props, with analysts noting that these three selections offer distinct statistical edges based on current season performance and pitching matchups.
