Here at Covers, we jump at the chance to mention the KBO, and Kwang-hyun Kim of the St. Louis Cardinals is giving us that chance today.
The former KBO star has started to add more strikeouts to his arsenal in his second MLB season and is thus providing us with some value in the MLB prop betting market. Plus, can Trevor Bauer keep racking up the Ks when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Milwaukee Brewers?
We break down that pick and more with our best free MLB prop bets and predictions for Thursday, April 29.
Today’s MLB props and picks
Kwang-hyun Kim Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-115)
One of our favorite former-KBO stars takes center stage in today’s best MLB prop bets as the Kwang-hyun Kim toes the rubber for the St. Louis Cardinals when they host the Philadelphia Phillies.
The former SK Wyvern was a breakout star for the Cardinals last season, and after beginning the year on the IL, Kim has picked up right where he left off. Kim was a little rusty in his first start but is coming off allowing just one run on five hits in 5 2-3 innings against the hard-hitting Cincinnati Reds.
But what has been impressive is that Kim’s strikeout numbers are way up. The lefty has recorded 12 punchouts in his first 8 2-3 innings, including eight against the Reds.
Next up for Kim is the Phillies, who have struggled against southpaws. They hit just .226 against left-handers, striking out the sixth-most times against them while ranking 22nd in strikeouts per game overall. Kim will have plenty of opportunities to eclipse a modest strikeout total in this one.
Trevor Bauer Over 8.5 Strikeouts (-130)
Trevor Bauer has carried his Cy Young form over into his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander, on top of making the rivalry with Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres uber fun, has been pitching lights out.
Bauer’s Dodgers’ debut was so-so, but he has looked close to unhittable since then. He has pitched to a 1.75 ERA, a 0.62 WHIP, and is limiting opponents to a .136 batting average over his last four starts. Bauer has also been racking up Ks at a very good rate.
Bauer has recorded 45 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched and has had nine or more strikeouts in four of his five starts this season. Thursday, he goes up against a Milwaukee Brewers squad that strikes out the second-most in the majors at 10.46 times per game.
There’s no reason to think Bauer won’t keep dealing in this matchup.
Nick Solak Over 1.5 Total Bases (+125)
Texas Rangers second baseman Nick Solak is having a breakout season, hitting .319 with a .986 OPS while slugging seven home runs and 18 RBIs. He will look to stay hot when the Rangers host the Boston Red Sox.
Solak has been particularly hot over his last 13 games, where he is hitting .417 with a 1.333 OPS. He also has seven multi-hit games over that stretch and now gets to face Red Sox left-hander Martin Perez. Perez has pitched to a 5.75 ERA and is allowing opponents to hit .290 off him this season. Solak has also been raking against lefties, hitting .343 with a 1.052 OPS.
All these things considered, you shouldn’t be getting plus money on Solak’s total bases in this one. This value is too good to pass up.
Yesterday's MLB record: 2-1, 0.68 units
Season MLB betting record: 38-43-2, -8.16 units
MLB betting card for April 29
- Kwang-hyun Kim Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-115)
- Trevor Bauer Over 8.5 Strikeouts (-130)
- Nick Solak Over 1.5 total bases (+125)
Picks made on 4/29/2021 at 11:15 a.m. ET
MLB parlays
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