Home run props are the focus for today's MLB betting, featuring players like Alec Burleson, Brandon Lowe, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Maikel Garcia. Burleson has shown impressive power recently, hitting 10 homers this season and enjoying a favorable matchup against Colin Rea, who struggles against left-handed hitters. Lowe, with 19 homers and a solid 1.000 OPS in the last three weeks, faces Chris Paddack. Guerrero Jr. is another strong candidate with 12 homers to his name, looking to capitalize on a weak Angels' bullpen. Garcia, while less prolific, has potential in a hitter-friendly park.

As fantasy baseball enthusiasts prepare for Week 15, several prospects have emerged as prime candidates to stash on benches or NA spots. Notable promotions from the minors include Colby Thomas, Harry Ford, and Colson Montgomery, all making their major league debuts recently.

Among the top prospects to watch, Samuel Basallo of the Baltimore Orioles has continued to shine, boasting a 147 WRC+ with 16 home runs. Despite injuries plaguing the Orioles' catcher position, Basallo remains uncalled. Meanwhile, Carson Williams of the Tampa Bay Rays is showing promise with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases but is still working through adjustments at Triple-A. Moises Ballesteros of the Cubs has shown flashes of potential but needs opportunities to cement his role. Lastly, Chase DeLauter and Kristian Campbell are making strong cases for call-ups, with the Guardians and Red Sox potentially in need of their offensive contributions soon.

The Seattle Mariners are currently embroiled in a significant gambling investigation by Major League Baseball, sparked by incidents involving Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. On June 15, during a game against the Mariners, Ortiz's first pitch in the bottom of the second inning was flagged for its notable betting activity, which saw wagers placed on whether it would be a ball or hit batsman. The pitch was a slider that missed the strike zone markedly, leading to alerts from a betting-integrity firm.

This type of betting, known as microbetting, is increasingly popular, especially in states like Ohio, New York, and New Jersey, where betting on specific outcomes such as first pitches is permitted. Further scrutiny has been placed on Ortiz following another similar incident on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. As a precautionary measure during the investigation, Ortiz has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the All-Star Break.

In a much-needed victory, the Tampa Bay Rays edged out the Oakland Athletics 6-5, improving their season record to 48-39. Ryan Pepiot took the mound and delivered an impressive performance, pitching six innings while allowing only four hits and striking out nine batters, marking his sixth win of the season. This win comes after a tough stretch where the Rays had lost three consecutive games. Manager Kevin Cash expressed optimism about the potential return of Ha-Seong Kim, which could bolster their lineup significantly.

With this win, the Rays remain only a game behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East. The team is looking to build momentum as they continue to navigate a competitive division. Pepiot's strong outing may solidify his role within the rotation, a crucial aspect for the team's aspirations as the season progresses.

The Tampa Bay Rays are showing strong performance lately, trailing just a half-game behind the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees in the American League East. Their offense has been prolific, particularly in stolen bases, and they’ve shifted to a more traditional starting rotation strategy. Although their bullpen remains solid, a trade for a quality reliever could further enhance their postseason chances. ESPN’s David Schoenfield suggests acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar, who is having a stellar season with a 2.73 ERA and 12 saves. Adding him could alleviate depth issues in the bullpen and bolster their playoff aspirations.