It seems like sportsbooks offer more MLB prop bets than ever before but even still we’re seeing something new—thanks to two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani is scheduled to take the ball as the Angels open a series against the Texas Rangers but he is pressing hard to pull double duty, so he would hit too. As a result, sportbooks have posted a total bases prop for a pitcher—and we are all over it.
We break down that pick and more with our best free MLB prop bets and predictions for Monday, April 26.
Today’s MLB props and picks
Trevor Rogers Over 7.5 Strikeouts (+100)
Corbin Burnes will be the starter getting the headlines when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Miami Marlins on Monday, and rightfully so. The right-hander has started the season on fire but don’t overlook Mister Rogers, as strikeouts come by the trolley load in his neighborhood too.
Marlins rookie Trevor Rogers has been fantastic so far this season, as the lefty relies mostly on his fastball that has surprising movement and is hard to barrel up. Rogers mixes it well with a slider and a devastating change that falls off the table. As a result, Rogers is racking up the Ks at a rate almost as good as Burnes, getting 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings through his first four starts.
But what has us leaning towards Rogers as opposed to Burnes is the matchup.
The Brewers are the epitome of the “swing for the fences” offense of today’s baseball. While they rank 11th in home runs they strike out more than anyone in the Big Leagues, getting punched out 10.9 times per game.
With Rogers in a groove, it's hard not to like him to go punch-out for punch-out with Burnes, at least for a while.
Shohei Ohtani Over 0.5 Total Bases (+105)
The complete Shohei Ohtani experience is everything a baseball fan could have dreamed of. The two-way star is tied for the major league lead in home runs with seven and is striking out 14.5 batters per nine innings. And for the second time this season, he will be a true two-way player hitting and pitching and the Texas Rangers.
While it would be nice to attack Ohtani’s strikeout prop against the free-swinging Rangers (do so if/when a line gets posted), for now, we’re on his total bases prop. Ohtani has hit safely in 14 of 19 games this season and went 1 for 3 with a dinger the only other time he pulled double duty.
He’ll face off against the Rangers’ Jordan Lyles, who allows lefties to hit .270 and ranks in the Bottom-5 percent of the MLB in max exit velocity.
That means he gets hit hard and not many are hitting it harder than Ohtani, who has four extra-base hits, including three dingers, over his last five games.
Jesse Winker Over 0.5 Total Bases (-140)
The Cincinnati Reds sit in last place in the National League Central at 8-13 but you can’t blame their offense. The Reds lead the MLB in scoring and home runs, are second in OPS and fifth in batting average. Those bats will be put to the test when they open a series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
When you think of the Reds hitters you may not think of lefty Jesse Winker, but he is the hottest Red going at the moment. Cincy's left fielder is raking, hitting .381 for the season with a 1.101 OPS and is currently on a 10-game hitting streak.
While he gets a tough matchup against southpaw Julio Urias, Winker has still managed a .273 average against left-handed pitchers. On top of that, the Dodgers’ bullpen is struggling, ranking 14th in ERA, 20th in opponent batting average, and 28th in WHIP.
With that in mind, we like Winker to keep his streak going in this one.
Yesterday's MLB record: 1-1-1, -0.23 units
Season MLB betting record: 33-39-2, -9.21 units
MLB betting card for April 26
- Trevor Rogers Over 7.5 Strikeouts (+100)
- Shohei Ohtani Over 0.5 Total Bases (+105)
- Jesse Winker Over 0.5 Total Bases (-140)
Picks made on 4/26/2021 at 11:27 a.m. ET
MLB parlays
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