Casey Wilson's MLB Prop Bets for 8/26/2025 center four homer props: Aaron Judge, James Wood, Taylor Ward, and Nick Kurtz. Yankee Stadium’s wind-out setup and Gore’s four-seamer usage boost Judge’s odds, while the Nationals' Wood taps a favorable righty matchup. Ward benefits from Corbin’s lefty weakness, and Kurtz targets Morton in a park-friendly swing for the fence.

The piece stresses a disciplined, bankroll-conscious approach: avoid chasing four HRs, lean into round-robin stacking, and shop odds across FanDuel and DraftKings. It leans on pitch-mix and BVP data to sharpen edge for fantasy and betting.

James Wood is the marquee homer play tonight at +600 as Washington faces Sean Manaea of the Mets. Wood has 25 homers this season and thrives against lefties, posting a .494 slugging mark versus southpaws compared with .463 against righties, a pattern that tilts the odds in his favor tonight. Manaea’s penchant for giving up homers (1.7 HR/9) in 2024 adds upside to Wood’s giant-play potential in a high-variance short slate.

Carlos Correa closes the night as a +900 longshot sleeper after rejoining Houston and flashing a .492 slugging since the deadline, a sign he can pop one against Brandon Young of Baltimore, who carries a 5.68 ERA and the HR/9 leakage that Correa can exploit. BetMGM promos add extra juice for new players, but the core angles remain: power upside against a vulnerable pitcher and a reduced upside ceiling for the underdogs. This nine-game slate lends itself to bold plays and careful exposure management.

Bottom line: leverage Wood’s lefty-smashing profile and Correa’s late-season spark for big-rate returns, while respecting risk on a tight MLB Thursday. The bets hinge on split data, homer pace, and a contrarian payout that could deliver a solid night for fantasy and sports bettors willing to chase the upside.

Justin Verlander joined MLB’s 3,500 strikeout club, becoming the 10th pitcher to reach the milestone. He pumped a 95 mph fastball to begin the night, then the Nationals exploded for four runs in the second inning as Washington cruised to an 8-0 win at Oracle Park. The moment drew a standing ovation from about 40,000 Giants fans, who still watched Verlander depart after six strikeouts and five runs allowed on 11 hits.

Verlander’s 3,500th is tethered to a storied career that already includes multiple Cy Young awards and a place among the all-time greats; Nolan Ryan remains the Ks king, with Walter Johnson close behind and Verlander now carving out a historic chapter. For fantasy audiences, the night underscored the volatility of the Giants’ offense (three hits) against a Washington squad that piled hits and produced the bulk of the scoring by the middle innings.

With this milestone on display, fantasy managers will weigh Verlander’s durability against age and the Giants’ offensive upside in future matchups. The day’s lopsided result and Verlander’s ascent into the 3,500-strikeout club add a compelling storyline for bettors and managers tracking veteran aces and their twilight performances.

The Nationals still play, still building. A weekend in San Francisco offered a snapshot of their future: Gore showed why he’s the present-and-future ace in six stellar innings, Abrams delivered a homer off Verlander, and Wood anchored a multi-hit, run-producing day with Wood and Lile contributing in the leadoff and middle order. Brady House and Daylen Lile added important knocks, underscoring a growing core that could turn Washington into a competitive threat next season. With a month and a half left, the focus is on confidence, habits, and proving they can contend, even if the season’s destination remains distant.

As the fantasy baseball season hits Week 19, managers face tough decisions regarding underperforming players. A mix of established stars and emerging talents, players like Kodai Senga and Paul Goldschmidt have stirred concern among their fantasy owners. Senga, previously a standout for the New York Mets, is struggling post-injury with a concerning ERA and control issues. Meanwhile, Goldschmidt's recent slump leaves many questioning if it's time to part ways. On the other hand, Jake Mangum and James Wood present opportunities for savvy managers to buy low as they navigate through their struggles while still holding potential upside.

Fantasy managers must evaluate whether to hold, drop, or sell low on these players as the playoffs approach. With the season reaching its critical phase, making informed moves can determine league outcomes. Senga and Wood's talent suggests patience may pay off, while Goldschmidt's decline indicates it might be time to cut losses.