The MLB betting season is upon us and with it, all the markets that we’ve come to love/hate. Along with sides and totals, there is a diverse and increasingly popular MLB prop bet market that includes such wagers as first-five inning wagers (who likes relievers anyway?) and player stat totals. All the choices make wagering in baseball this year a unique and hopefully more enjoyable experience.
This article will lay out the best MLB prop bets for the day and do all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. If there’s a line on it, we’ll look into it. Check out our favorite MLB free prop bet picks and predictions for Saturday, April 3, 2021.
Today’s MLB props and picks
Luis Robert Over 0.5 stolen bases (+600) and Over 0.5 runs scored (+120)
The White Sox’s Luis Robert finished second in AL ROY voting last season and came away with a Gold Glove for his play in center field. His combination of power and speed makes him one of the most exciting young players to watch in the league. His numbers last year (11 HR, 9 SB, 20 BB in 202 at-bats) were slightly overshadowed by the play of AL MVP Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez but don’t sleep on Robert, his prop market is exploitable due to his five-tool talent.
In his first game of the year, facing a dialed-in Dylan Bundy, Robert showed his talents when he ripped a two-out double in the second, stole third base easily and then scored on a wild pitch. That one stretch cashed his three big player props: Over 1.5 total bases (+145), Over 0.5 steals (+400) and Over 0.5 runs (+120). Not bad for his first plate appearance.
Robert batted seventh in the order on Thursday but could get bumped up with another big showing on Friday. The sophomore will face the Angels’ Alex Cobb who had very pedestrian numbers last year in Baltimore and made only three starts in 2018.
The Angels, interestingly, allowed the most stolen bases last year at 0.83 per game. Catcher Max Stassi allowed 32 stolen bases in 2020, which was the most in the league. If Robert can get on base, he has a great matchup to swipe another bag.
We are going to stack his Over 0.5 stolen bases with the Over 0.5 runs as any stolen base obviously puts him in scoring position and his power could have us cashing the Over 0.5 runs in one swing, as well.
Corbin Burnes Over 7.5 strikeouts (-132)
The Minnesota Twins managed five runs on 10 hits in their opener with the Brewers, but they also struck out a league-high 17 times over 39 at-bats. Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff K’d five batters over his four frames of work and he owns a career K/9 north of 10.
Saturday, the Twins will face 26-year-old right-hander Corbin Burnes, who struck out 26 batters over 16.1 innings this spring. Burnes had a 13.1 K/9 in 2020 and even picked up a Cy Young vote (who voted last year?).
Over his last eight starts, Burnes has struck out at least five batters and has hit double-digit K’s three times. The starting pitcher reached five innings in his latest spring start, so getting deep shouldn’t be a problem for the former fourth-round pick.
Burnes went 7-1 O/U on his K totals to finish the year in 2020. His strikeout totals ranged from 4.5 to 7.5 and if you can find his total anywhere at 6.5 or below Saturday, we’d say that’s a great value.
Toronto Blue Jays F5 ML (+140)
Corey Kluber will be making his first start for the Pinstripes on Saturday. The former Cy Young winner has thrown just 36.2 innings over the last two seasons, as a combination of injuries has kept him off the bump.
Now recovered from a teres major muscle tear, Kluber has struggled to find his command this spring, having walked seven batters, hit another three and threw a wild pitch in his 13 innings of Grapefruit action. He failed to pitch four innings in any spring start and the Yankees will probably lift him early due to his previous injuries and lack of time on the mound over the last two years.
If Kluber has trouble locating, the potent Blue Jays lineup will be more than grateful to take advantage as Toronto may have one of the most difficult lineups to navigate one-through-nine. The Jays already took a win off Gerrit Cole and the Yanks in the opener, and will be riding the confidence that comes with knocking off the highest-paid pitcher at home.
Ross Stripling will be making the start for Toronto. The former Dodger was good-to-great this spring with an 11:1 K/BB ratio and cut down his home runs allowed last season (0.6 HR/9). Stripling tossed 5.2 innings in his last spring start, so he should be good to go deeper than Kluber on Saturday.
We’re suckers for getting action on the early game and with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch, we’re hoping to start Saturday off with a winner. We feel the Jays can get on the board early and have the advantage for the first five innings of the game. A tie is a push with the F5 ML, which just gives us another out on this tasty first-five prop.
Yesterday's MLB record: 0-3, -3.0 units
Season MLB betting record: 2-4, -2.46 units
MLB betting card for April 3
- Luis Robert Over 0.5 stolen bases (+600) and Over 0.5 runs scored (+120)
- Corbin Burnes Over 7.5 strikeouts (-132)
- Toronto Blue Jays F5 ML (+140)
MLB parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s MLB prop picks, you could win $639.60 on a $10 bet?
Use our MLB parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on MLB props?
You can bet on MLB props at every online and casino sportsbook, including MLB player props, derivatives, and a ton of other MLB prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on MLB props in your area.
