SportsLine expert targets Acuna and Yelich for June 5 MLB home run props
With Mitch Keller and Ryan Feltner showing vulnerability in recent starts, SportsLine’s Matt Severance has identified Ronald Acuna Jr. and Christian Yelich as key home run prop bets for Friday’s slate.
SportsLine expert Matt Severance has released his primary home run prop selections for Friday, June 5, focusing on Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich. The picks come as part of a full 15-game Major League Baseball slate that includes the Boston Red Sox’s first visit to Yankee Stadium in the 2026 season.
Severance, who reports a cumulative profit of $1,681 on MLB picks over the past four seasons, identified Acuna as a strong candidate against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller. Acuna has established a significant historical advantage over Keller, hitting three home runs in 19 at-bats for an 8-for-19 record and a 1.371 OPS. This performance contrasts with Acuna’s slower start to the 2026 season, which followed time on the injured list, though he has recently returned to form with a .333 batting average and four home runs over the past seven days.
The matchup at Truist Park is further bolstered by Keller’s recent struggles. The Pirates pitcher posted a 5.50 ERA in May 2026 after being hit hard in three of his five starts during the month. While Keller has surrendered only four home runs in his 12 starts spanning 68.1 innings this season, Severance noted that Acuna’s ability to capitalise on his position as a leadoff hitter provides additional value, potentially securing extra at-bats compared to middle-order batters.
In the National League West, Severance targeted Christian Yelich for the series opener between the Brewers and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The decision is driven by the high-scoring environment created by thin air and favourable weather conditions, with forecasts indicating 83-degree temperatures and 8 mph winds blowing out at first pitch. Yelich holds a career .904 OPS and five home runs in 36 at-bats at Coors Field, making him a logical target against Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner.
Feltner enters the game with a 4.85 ERA in the 2026 season and has allowed five home runs in six total outings spanning 26.0 innings. Despite the Brewers ranking last in the majors for home runs with 44 this season, Yelich’s recent hitting average of .289 and his proficiency in Denver’s conditions make him a focal point for the prop market. Severance’s analysis underscores a broader trend of expecting high run totals on Friday due to widespread warm weather and blowing winds across multiple stadiums.
