Donnie Rightside urged caution backing Cincinnati with Hunter Greene fresh off the IL. Greene had been dealing with a groin strain and, according to Rightside, "you almost never know if the guy is truly 100 percent or just throwing at 90 percent in rehab starts." The spot also brings sneaky hitter-friendly elements—65-degree night at Great American Ballpark with an 8 mph breeze pushing toward left-center. On the other side, lefty Matthew Boyd owns a 3.72 ERA and 3.22 xFIP over his last 29 innings while holding left-handed bats in check. Rightside noted that the Reds' key right-handed sticks have struggled versus southpaws in limited samples: Elly De La Cruz sits on a .032 ISO and .242 wOBA from the right side with a near-25 percent K-rate. Because Greene’s workload and velocity are unknown and Cincinnati’s offense is ill-equipped to punish Boyd, Rightside leaned to the Cubs in what books have lined as a pick’em and recommended staying off any Greene strikeout props until he proves healthy.

Mike Maher said fantasy managers should NOT panic about Hunter Greene’s early exit on Wednesday. Greene asked out after feeling tightness during his between-inning warm-ups and is getting an MRI, but skipper Terry Francona told reporters he “doesn’t expect bad news.” Maher stressed the silver lining: it’s a groin, not an arm, so the long-feared velocity-related elbow or shoulder blow-up is off the table for now. He pointed to Cole Ragans’ recent one-start absence with a similar issue as proof that groin strains often require minimal time. Given Greene’s league-leading fastball (100–102 mph), 0.89 WHIP and top-5 strikeout rate to date, Maher advised simply holding or even floating buy-low offers in leagues where nervous managers overreact.

Razzle is once again on Hunter Greene, who owns a 7.5 strikeout prop (best on the slate) even with juice to the under. The total is only 7.5, and Greene has already logged three games of 20+ DK points and two over 34 points this season. Home-run issues linger, but Atlanta’s projected lineup carries a middling 22% K rate and Greene’s high-powered four-seam/slider combo just carved up the Dodgers. A win bonus isn’t required for him to smash, making him an ideal GPP anchor.

Stephen cautioned bettors about backing Hunter Greene’s strikeout over against Atlanta. While Greene carries one of the slate’s top raw K-rates, the Braves have posted the ninth-lowest strikeout rate versus right-handed pitching over the past three weeks. That clash of styles led him to conclude that Greene’s total is more likely to fall short than exceed the posted number and labeled this a potential under-K spot.

Guy Boston said to take Hunter Greene under 2.5 earned runs on DraftKings at –170. He pointed out that Greene has held opponents below this number in 4 of 6 starts this year (67%) while posting just 1.83 ER per outing. Looking back 20 starts, the hit rate rises to 75% with a 1.5 ER average. Washington ranks only 18th in batting average against right-handed pitching, and Greene sits in the 94th percentile for batting-average allowed. Although he was rocked in Colorado (3 ER) and Baltimore (5 ER), Boston expects a bounce-back because Greene limited the Nats to exactly two earned runs in their last meeting (3/30/24). All told, he sees a favorable matchup and historical trend that make the under a solid leg for his Freaky Friday parlay.

Greg Peterson laid the -1.5 run line with Cincinnati at +130 because Hunter Greene has tightened up his control (1.5 BB/9 after 3.4+ the previous three seasons) while still missing bats at an elite 10.6 K/9 clip and carrying a 2.70 ERA. Washington counters with rookie Mitchell Parker, whose 2.65 ERA looks shaky next to a 3.80 FIP and a meek 4.8 K/9. Peterson added that the Nationals’ bullpen entered Thursday with a league-worst 7.41 ERA, giving the Reds a big edge once Greene exits. He power-rated the run line at -1.5 +105, so anything at plus money is a bet for him.

Ron Romanelli said to back the Reds on both the money-line and run-line because Hunter Greene still owns the clear ceiling edge over rookie Mitchell Parker. Greene has coughed up five homers and eight earned runs in his last nine innings, but his 29 % strikeout rate lines up well against a Nationals lineup that chases at the sixth-highest clip in baseball. Great American Ball Park can punish any pitcher, yet Romanelli argues Parker is far more vulnerable after walking five and striking out none in his most recent start and now heading into the league’s most homer-friendly yard. Cincinnati has been top-10 in wRC+ versus lefties the past two weeks, and their bullpen is rested, so Romanelli expects Greene to pile up punch-outs while the Reds provide enough support to cover multiple ways.

Drew Martin said to back Hunter Greene and the Reds on the Friday card, expecting the number to open no higher than ‑150. Greene has been electric through six starts (3-2 record, 43 strikeouts) and comes in off three straight outings with exactly eight punch-outs while regularly touching 99-100 mph at home. Martin called Mitchell Parker an auto-fade after a disastrous last turn in which the rookie left-hander walked five and failed to record a strikeout over six earned runs. He also noted Washington owns the worst bullpen on his personal ratings while Cincinnati sits almost +30 in run differential. All of that combines for a clear wager on the Reds moneyline and, if the price somehow balloons, a possible run-line pivot.

Peterson set Saturday’s Reds–Rockies total at 9.6 and happily took the under 10.5. Hunter Greene has allowed two runs or fewer in four of five starts, flashing triple-digit velocity and a whiff rate that should play even at altitude. Colorado’s offense is averaging just five runs per game at home—mediocre by Coors standards—and still owns only one homer per game in the thin air. On the other side, Peterson noted Cincinnati’s lineup looks far better on paper thanks to the 24-run outlier against Baltimore; outside that game the Reds have logged several 1-0 losses. Antonio Senzatela pitches to contact, but the Reds’ BABIP has nosedived without Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Cincinnati’s middle-of-the-road bullpen (Rogers, Suter, Barlow) is still a tier above Colorado’s unit that lost Victor Vodnik to the IL. All told, Peterson believes 10.5 is at least a run too high and would play the under down to 9.5.

Kenny G thinks the Under 10.5 is very live at Coors. His case: Hunter Greene’s fastball/slider combo should neutralize Colorado’s league-worst lineup, which has posted just seven, two and four runs the last three games and sits 30th in runs and 29th in average. On the other side, Antonio Senzatela is capable of limiting damage enough to keep the game respectable, and neither bullpen is an outright gas can (Reds 3.90 ERA; Rockies 3.99). With both clubs 12-12-1 and 15-8-1 to the under respectively, Kenny expects a rare low-scoring affair in Denver.

Brian Howard circled Hunter Greene’s strikeout props as the way to attack Saturday’s Reds–Rockies game. Howard dug into Colorado’s numbers and found they have fanned 180 times in just 553 plate appearances versus right-handed pitching – a 32.5% K-rate that dwarfs every other club once you adjust for volume. Greene’s high-octane four-seamer (average 98.6 mph) and 30% career strikeout rate match perfectly with that weakness. Howard wants plus money before firing: he’d pass on 8+ Ks at +110 but would gladly ladder to 10+ if books hang something near 3-to-1. He framed the play purely as a Rockies “auto-fade” against good righties and expects Greene’s velocity to overwhelm a lineup that has struck out more on the road than at Coors.

Zola urged fantasy managers to start Hunter Greene at Coors Field even though most ranking models fade any pitcher there. He referenced Tristan H. Cockcroft’s research showing the 2025 Rockies carry a historically poor offense (league-low .274 wOBA, 77 wRC+ despite altitude). Greene’s 31% strikeout rate and 98 mph average fastball give him the raw stuff to neutralize Colorado, and with Cincinnati favored he projects well for a win. Zola admitted overriding his own rankings is rare but called this matchup ‘the exception that proves the rule.’

Doubling down on his earlier moneyline stance, Scott Reichel shifted to the plus‑money run line, taking Reds –1.5 at +130 behind Hunter Greene. Reichel emphasized that Greene not only owns a sub‑1.00 ERA and 15.2 straight scoreless innings, but he also routinely works into the seventh because his 4.2 % walk rate keeps pitch counts manageable. Baltimore counters with brand‑new call‑up Brandon Young (2.76 ERA in limited Double‑A/Triple‑A action), and Reichel questions how long the rookie can last against a patient Cincy lineup that sees the sixth‑most pitches per plate appearance in MLB. With the Orioles bullpen carrying a 4.98 ERA over the past ten days and Greene capable of minimizing leverage innings for the Reds’ relievers, Reichel sees Cincinnati winning by multiple runs far more than the implied 43 %. He would still endorse the –1.5 down to +115 but prefers locking in +130 while it is available.

Scott Reichel advised backing Cincinnati at –115 because Hunter Greene has been untouchable while Baltimore is sending debutant Brandon Young. Greene owns a 0.98 ERA through his first three starts, firing 15.2 consecutive scoreless innings and limiting every opponent to four hits or fewer. That stretch came against legitimate line‑ups—San Francisco twice and Texas—so Reichel considers it more than early‑season noise. Meanwhile, the Orioles’ rotation sits above a 5.00 ERA and turns to Young, a 26‑year‑old with zero MLB innings and middling Triple‑A strikeout numbers. Neither club has separated in the standings (Reds 9‑10, O’s 8‑10), but Reichel deemed the pitching gap massive enough to overlook Cincinnati’s streaky bats and even floated Greene as a dark‑horse Cy Young candidate. He would play the Reds up to –125 but prefers the current cheap road price.

Brian Howard is doubling down on the Reds by taking Cincinnati -0.5 in the first five innings and betting Hunter Greene’s strikeout over if books post 7.5 or lower. Baltimore just whiffed 11 times against soft‑tossing lefty Andrew Abbott and now draws Greene’s 99‑mph heater and slider that owns a 38 % whiff rate. The Orioles may sit Gary Sanchez—three Ks Friday—giving Greene an even cleaner lineup of righties who swing through high velocity. Opposing him is Brandon Young, a right‑hander making his MLB debut; Howard believes Cincinnati’s right‑hand‑heavy lineup (Elly De La Cruz, Jeimer Candelario, Spencer Steer) will jump Young early, mirroring the Abbott game script in reverse. He’ll also sprinkle Reds -1.5 at +130 but prefers the first‑five angle to isolate Greene’s edge before the shaky Reds bullpen arrives.

Kingpin hammered Greene Over 7.5 Ks. Greene’s new splitter has pushed his swinging‑strike rate to 17.8%, and the Orioles whiff 31% of the time on pitches in the upper third—the exact zone where Greene lives with 100‑mph heat. He has eclipsed eight strikeouts in three consecutive starts and is projected for ~102 pitches.

Gary Sheffield Jr. named Hunter Greene as MLB's top pitcher due to his current domination, highlighting Greene's phenomenal ERA of 0.98. Despite facing tremendous challenges from a weak Cincinnati offense providing minimal run support, Greene consistently dominates opponents. Sheffield stressed Greene's form makes him a must-watch pitcher and a highly attractive option for DFS and betting.

Building upon the recommendation to sell Hunter Greene, Joe Orrico stated he'd confidently trade peak-performing Hunter Greene for Jacob deGrom, whose early struggles are temporary. Orrico believes fantasy managers could leverage Greene’s scorching start, featuring a 0.98 ERA and strikeout-heavy dominance, to acquire deGrom plus an additional asset, capitalizing on the market perception to improve their roster significantly.

Joe Orrico recommends selling Hunter Greene at peak market value, despite his phenomenal 0.98 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts through four starts. Orrico believes Greene's impressive performance is not fully sustainable, noting prior career volatility, persistent home run issues pitching at Great American Ballpark, and probable regression in walk rate and command. While Orrico acknowledged Greene has shown undeniable skill, including increased fastball velocity by nearly two mph and significantly improved slider velocity, he remains skeptical Greene has fully solved command issues permanently. Orrico recommended selling at maximum value, potentially acquiring a proven SP1-type player such as Chris Sale in return.

Chris Morgan praised Hunter Greene as a strong DFS pitching option due to marked improvement from last year, noting Greene drastically lowered his ERA from 4.82 to 2.75 last season by better managing home run prevention. In 2025, he has further improved, lowering his walk rate significantly and posting a stellar 1.31 ERA along with a 7.67 K/BB ratio. The matchup is extra favorable as Greene faces the Pirates, who have struggled offensively, batting below the Mendoza Line. Morgan views Greene as potentially becoming an ace and legitimate Cy Young contender, projecting considerable DFS upside in this contest.

Andy Smith recommends Hunter Greene as a strong DFS pitching option on Sunday based on his recent dominance. Greene has opened his campaign with a stellar 1.31 ERA and 0.63 WHIP over 20 2/3 innings while striking out 23 batters against just three walks. He benefits from a favorable matchup against the Pirates, who have one of the league's higher strikeout rates (11th highest) and among the weakest power outputs (sixth-lowest ISO) against right-handed pitchers this season. Considering Greene's strikeout ability and the Pirates' offensive struggles, Smith expects a robust DFS payoff.

Kingpin identifies Hunter Greene as a strong play today against the struggling Pirates offense. Greene has been lights-out this season (1-1 with a 1.31 ERA and double-digit strikeout rate), showcasing elite velocity. Pittsburgh's offense has sputtered, scoring just five runs combined in the first two games of this series. The Pirates are sending an inexperienced pitcher in Carmen Mlodzinski to the mound, creating a significant pitching mismatch. Kingpin strongly recommends backing Greene and the Reds, potentially on the run line.

Mike Maher suggested selling high on Hunter Greene despite Greene's dominant early-season performance, expressing significant concerns about durability and potential injury risk. Maher referenced Greene's elite velocity reaching nearly 101 MPH in the ninth inning of his recent start, noting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Justin Verlander previously accomplished similar feats before eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery. Given Hunter Greene's history with Tommy John and injury problems, Maher believes the probability of sustaining this pace for a full season without injury is low. Maher pointed out Greene's value cannot get much higher and suggested targeting offensive stars like Alex Bregman or Kyle Schwarber as returns, capitalizing on Greene's current peak market perception.

Chris Welsh strongly suggested holding on to Hunter Greene, pointing to his improved whiff rates on both slider and splitter this season. He cautioned managers against prematurely trading a player just as he begins achieving his lofty preseason potential, especially a pitcher with Greene's dominant strikeout capability. Welsh noted the ballpark presents minor ERA concerns but stated that Greene can realistically approach a high-2 to low-3 ERA, making him someone fantasy managers should keep rather than actively trying to sell high unless offered overwhelming value in return.

Joe Pisapia definitively stated he would not look to trade Hunter Greene despite concerns from listeners about injury risk. Pisapia pointed to Greene's noticeable improvement, specifically highlighting the successful addition of a splitter last year, which complements his already devastating fastball-slider combination. Pisapia affirmed his belief that Greene will sustain excellent ratios this season with ERA potential in the high-2 to low-3 range, recommending managers stick confidently with Greene unless presented an exceptionally strong offer due to his Cy Young-level upside.

Ryan Wormeli confidently took an early victory lap on Hunter Greene, highlighting his frustration at Greene’s shockingly low draft day ADP in the 90s. Greene, coming off a solid 2023, has impressively pushed his game higher, posting a 1.31 ERA over 20.2 innings and a sterling 0.63 WHIP, backed by 233 strikeouts considered excellent by Wormeli. Wormeli underscored Greene's elite underlying metrics, especially his exceptional Stuff+ numbers described as 'breaking the chart,' notably in line with his dominating spring training figures. Greene elevated his four-seamer usage from 55% to 62%, but has maintained generally similar pitch mix effectiveness. The only highlighted concern is a dangerously low groundball rate possibly problematic in Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly ballpark. Nonetheless, Wormeli believes strongly Greene will represent a substantial draft-day steal and likely fantasy league-winner given his draft spot.

Erik Halterman recommended selling high on Hunter Greene despite his dominant start to the season. Greene currently holds a 1.31 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, and a 31% strikeout rate, boosting him to third in NL Cy Young odds after three impressive starts. Halterman warned about Greene's significant injury risk, referencing his previous Tommy John surgery in the minors and his inability to surpass 26 starts in a season. Greene's fastball velocity averages 99.4 mph, increasing his susceptibility to injury. Halterman suggested leveraging Greene's strong early performance to trade for safer, more durable pitchers drafted several rounds earlier.

Adam Rosenberg recommended betting Hunter Greene under 4.5 hits allowed against the Giants. Greene historically pitches effectively against San Francisco, and Adam pointed out Greene's general consistency in limiting hits despite receiving minimal run support. Adam believes Greene's talent level and past success versus the Giants suggest he will comfortably stay below the 4.5 hits allowed prop in this matchup.

Just A Bet Outside highlighted Hunter Greene's strong start to the season, emphasizing his strikeout prowess. Greene has put together solid outings, allowing only three earned runs over 12 innings, combined with an impressive 16 strikeouts. His ability to consistently miss bats makes Greene a strong consideration for strikeout-focused betting props and DFS lineups in today's matchup versus the Giants.

Data Skrive identifies Hunter Greene as particularly likely to exceed his listed strikeout total of 6.5 (Over -146) when facing the Giants. Greene has started this season strong, averaging 8 Ks per outing across his two appearances. This promising early performance positions Greene firmly to make short work of the relatively modest 6.5 line against San Francisco.

Brian highlighted Hunter Greene as a must-start DFS pick for his Saturday matchup against the Pirates, emphasizing Greene's elite strikeout potential and favorable matchup. Greene holds a top-5 K-rate of 32% among qualified starters, which Brian presented as a key reason for his DFS upside. Additionally, he noted Pittsburgh ranks in the bottom-five of the league in team strikeout percentage versus right-handed pitching, setting Greene up to post a premium fantasy outing at his DFS salary.

JD Bets likes the Reds moneyline primarily due to Hunter Greene's strong numbers and favorable matchup against Texas. Greene consistently pitched deep into games last season, averaging 5.2 innings per start, and managed to stay under 2.5 earned runs allowed in most outings. He posted good results controlling hits and avoiding excessive damage. JD notes Texas was average with strikeouts and believes Texas won't significantly score off Greene. On the flip side, Jack Leiter of Texas had a rough 2024 season, allowing at least three earned runs in all but one appearance. Given Leiter's struggles against right-handed hitters, JD expects Cincinnati's offense to have success, leading to a Reds victory and making the moneyline at minus 130 a solid play.

Bettor Mark is confidently backing the Cincinnati Reds on the money line against the Texas Rangers, highlighting Hunter Greene as a primary reason. Greene had an unspectacular first outing (no decision, 3.60 ERA) but Mark trusts his talent, especially playing at home at Great American Ballpark, a hitter-friendly park. Mark acknowledges Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter's strong first performance but favors Greene and the Reds, citing betting splits that support this selection, with Reds seeing 93% of the money despite only 56% of the bets, indicating sharp bettors backing Cincinnati as well.

Kyle Purviance suggested his interest in Hunter Greene's strikeout prop against the Giants on MLB opening day. Greene's odds of recording 8+ strikeouts are attractive at +185, and even more ambitious 9+ strikeouts are available at +360. Purviance explained his reasoning, focusing on Greene's notable improvement last season. Historically inefficient, Greene showed signs of better inning management and greater pitching efficiency late last year, allowing him to work deeper into games and significantly enhance his strikeout potential. Though Purviance tempered enthusiasm slightly with concerns over Greene's occasional control issues, he remained optimistic about the upside, especially considering the Giants' elevated strikeout rate last season. The cold weather further reinforces the possibility of lower offense, benefiting pitchers with strong strikeout stuff like Greene.