Shubham Soni labeled Taylor Ward a classic boom-or-bust home-run prop at +450, citing a healthy 16.6% barrel rate and 47% hard-hit percentage that remain intact despite Ward’s batting-average dip. Guardians righty Luis L. Ortiz owns a 4.73 ERA and has yielded nine homers in 45.2 innings, with xSLG north of .480 to right-handed bats. Soni argued Ortiz’s tendency to miss up in the zone plays directly into Ward’s pull-side power, and the Angels’ cleanup man already has 15 homers on the season. A warm evening in Anaheim with slight out-blowing winds provides an extra nudge toward the over.

Scott Jenstad said Taylor Ward belongs at the very top of this week’s pickup list after an outrageous May in which the outfielder has already launched 9 homers and driven in 27 runs. Jenstad acknowledged Ward’s profile remains "boom-or-bust"—his average launch angle keeps the BABIP volatile—but emphasized that fantasy managers cannot ignore the counting-stat avalanche. Ward is locked into the No. 3 spot in an Angels lineup that just rattled off an eight-game winning streak and quietly paces the league in runs scored since May 1. Even if the batting average settles around .255, Jenstad thinks Ward’s combination of everyday volume, above-average hard-hit rate, and the license Phil Nevin gives him to swing early in counts puts a 30-plus homer, 90-RBI season firmly in play. He recommended double-digit FAAB bids in 12-team mixers and labeled Ward a core cash-game piece on next week’s thin Monday slate where he’ll face two soft Oakland right-handers at Angel Stadium.

Soni pushed Taylor Ward’s +400 homer prop, pointing to a torrid 12-game stretch (7 HR, 20 RBI, .375 AVG, 1.377 OPS). The Angels outfielder faces Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (5.50 ERA) who has struggled to neutralize right-handed power. Ward’s 18 hits in his last 48 at-bats and balanced on-base skills make him, in Soni’s words, a 'prime threat to leave the yard' again tonight.

Cash Out Sports Picks flagged Taylor Ward as a go-to play for Saturday slates and hitter props. The tout pointed out that Ward owns a sizzling 5-for-9 line with 4 RBI against Cal Quantrill and just launched a grand slam Thursday in Oakland. Los Angeles, as a team, has torched right-handed pitching lately with a .858 OPS and 142 wRC+ over the last 10 days, and Ward has ridden that surge with a 46% hard-hit rate during the same window. Quantrill may have steadied in May, but Miami's bullpen still carries a 5.46 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over the past 10 days, so Ward should see at least one at-bat against a shaky relief corps on top of his plus history versus the starter. Cash Out expects multiple run-producing opportunities and recommended Ward in DFS cash builds plus over 1.5 total bases or to record an RBI in the prop market.

Scott Reichel backed Taylor Ward to leave the yard against Sandy Alcantara. Ward already sits at 14 homers after another blast Thursday and ranks top-15 in barrels per plate appearance. Alcantara’s road numbers are grim—14.81 ERA, 40% hard-hit rate, seven homers allowed in just 10.1 innings—and Angel Stadium will have a mild breeze out to left on Friday. Reichel added that Miami’s bullpen carries the seventh-worst HR/FB rate, giving Ward an extra plate appearance or two against another homer-prone unit. He’s playing Ward’s home-run prop down to +350 and pairing it with the Angels’ team total Over 4.5.

John Venezia urged managers not to let Taylor Ward remain on waivers simply because of his .196 average and .682 OPS. Ward already has 11 home runs and has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with three homers over his last six games, signaling another one of his familiar hot streaks. After posting 25 bombs last season, Ward projects to finish 2025 with a more palatable .240-.260 average once the cold spells level out. Venezia views the current 55% roster rate as too low and recommended bench-stashing Ward now so you have him active when the power binge continues.

Shubham Soni recommended Taylor Ward at +370 even against Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin. Ward has launched 3 homers in his last 5 games and owns a 40.2 % hard-hit rate with healthy barrel numbers. Soni argued that a hitter riding this kind of momentum only needs one mistake, and the market is pricing in Gonsolin’s reputation more than Ward’s current power tear.

Lonte Smith tabbed Taylor Ward as his favorite home-run prop for Saturday’s Orioles–Angels clash. Ward has rediscovered his stroke, leaving the yard in two of his last three games after an 0-for-8 slump earlier in May. He now faces Kyle Gibson, who has already surrendered a long ball in each of his two 2025 outings (six total) and sports a homer-happy sinker that has been tagged for a .220 ISO. Ward is 3-for-4 lifetime against Gibson and owns a .507 slugging percentage versus right-handed sinkers dating back to last season. With Angel Stadium expecting mid-80s temperatures and a light breeze to left, Smith called Ward “a prime candidate” to clear the fences at attractive odds of +425 or better.

Bettor Mark said he is betting UNDER 0.5 total bases for Taylor Ward at a juicy +155 (Bet365), grading it as a full-unit play. Ward has failed to record even a single base in six straight games, and Mark believes the market has not adjusted. Saturday he draws red-hot Jack Flaherty, who owns a 2.80 ERA, a 30% strikeout rate and is especially tough on right-handed hitters (.189 BAA). Meanwhile, the Angels’ offense has cratered, ranking 25th in wRC+ over the past two weeks, and their bullpen is exhausted after Jansen blew another save Friday. With Ward slumping and Detroit rolling, Mark sees strong positive EV in fading the Halos’ No. 2 hitter at plus money rather than laying juice on a traditional over/under.

Zola highlighted Taylor Ward as a plug-and-play streamer against Pirates rookie Carmen Mlodzinski, who enters with a 7.41 ERA and bloated 2.00 WHIP. Angel Stadium adds a modest park boost, and Ward has posted a .366 wOBA versus right-handers since 2023. With Pittsburgh’s bullpen ranking bottom-10 in xFIP, Ward is positioned for multiple run-producing plate appearances in both daily lineup leagues and mid-tier DFS builds.

Andrew Geller noted Taylor Ward is quickly becoming a potential roster casualty on his fantasy teams despite a recent home run. Ward's overall profile is replaceable due to decent but unspectacular power and minimal stolen base production. His ongoing struggles at the plate could soon lead the Angels to shift him down in the batting order, further diminishing his fantasy value. Geller is closely monitoring Ward and likely just a week or two away from cutting him unless he noticeably improves.