We’re still gathering data on players early in this 2026 MLB season, but we’re starting to see who was ready and who wasn’t.
We’re also reaching the back-end of most rotations, which provides a good spot to fade certain pitchers who maybe shouldn’t be on a big-league roster. Yeah, I’m looking at you, German Marquez.
Here are my three favorite MLB player props for Tuesday, March 31.
Best MLB player props today
| Player | Pick | Odds |
|---|---|---|
 Max Scherzer |
Over 5.5 strikeouts | -102 |
 Rafael Devers |
Over 1.5 total bases | -110 |
 Francisco Lindor |
Over 1.5 total bases | +105 |
Max Scherzer Over 5.5 strikeouts
He may be 41 years old, but Max Scherzer looked like he was in his prime in spring training. In three starts, he posted a 0.66 WHIP with as many strikeouts (nine) as hits and walks combined.
His first start sees him taking on a Colorado Rockies squad that is fanning like they’re serving a pharaoh during his leisure period. They rank second in MLB with a 37.2% chase rate and third with a whiff rate of 34.9%. That’s led to them averaging more than a strikeout per inning at the plate.
Cody Ponce’s knee injury yesterday led to five relievers pitching nearly seven innings, so Scherzer will likely be allowed a bit more rope today. He should get six innings against an offense posting a .215 xBA so far this season.
- Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: COLR, Sportsnet
Rafael Devers Over 1.5 total bases
Anytime you get an opportunity to fade German Marquez is a good time to fade German Marquez.
It’s an understatement to say the San Francisco Giants have gotten off to a bad start offensively this season, with four runs through four games. Rafael Devers has been a tad unlucky to be slugging only .333 though, given his 62.5% hard hit rate and 94.1 average exit velocity.
Tuesday gives him a great opportunity to find some luck. Marquez was awful last season, and he followed that up by posting a 7.16 ERA in spring training. He allowed three HR in four starts, as opponents slugged .438 on him.
Devers posted a .256 ISO vs. RHP last season, and should get at least two appearances against Marquez. I won’t be surprised to see one of them resulting in a trot around the bases, but we’ll settle for an extra-base hit.
- Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC Sports Bay Area, SDPA
Francisco Lindor Over 1.5 total bases
A hitter’s stats against a certain pitcher don’t often mean much going forward, but they can indicate that a hitter sees the ball well coming from said pitcher’s hand.
That’s exactly what we have with Francisco Lindor going up against Andre Pallante. It’s not simply that he’s posted a .462 average and slugged .462 against the RHP, but that he’s averaged an exit velo of 98.6 mph in 13 ABs while striking out just twice.
And if you don't love the small sample, Pallante ranked in the fourth percentile in strikeout rate last season, and he doesn’t throw with much velocity. Not a great combo against a hitter rocking a career .204 ISO and .474 SLG vs. RHP.
My MLB picks love Lindor to get into one, especially given St. Louis may flirt with a record-high temperature today.
- Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SNY, CARD
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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