Sundays are always chock full of early MLB betting action, so we got up nice and early to check out the best MLB props and side bets for the day to let you know where the value lies.
Today, we’re backing a pair of young aces and riding with one of the hottest bats in the majors in Angels' first baseman Jared Walsh.
Here are our favorite MLB free prop bets and predictions for Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Today’s MLB props and picks
Marlins vs Nationals First 5 Innings Under 4 (-120)
The Marlins will try to rebound from back-to-back defeats in Washington by sending rookie lefthander Trevor Rogers to the mound. The 23-year-old has been outstanding in his first year in the bigs, pitching to a 1.29 ERA with 38 strikeouts through 28 innings, and not allowing a run across 13 innings in his last two starts.
If you feel like the 23-year-old is due for regression, keep in mind that he was the 13th pick in the 2017 MLB draft and that his swinging-strike rate this season is fourth in the majors. Facing a Nationals lineup that ranks 28th in the majors in scoring with 3.84 runs per game won't hurt either.
The Nats will give the ball to ace Max Scherzer in this contest. Scherzer is coming off a brutal start against the Blue Jays where he surrendered seven runs (five earned) in five innings, but he still has a solid 3.00 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP with 38 strikeouts through 30 innings on the season.
Expect the future Hall of Famer to bounce back with a more typical performance against a Marlins team that ranks 26th in the majors with an OPS of .666. The first five innings Under is the obvious play here.
4.5 Innings Line Astros -0.5 (-115)
Speaking of young pitchers who are red-hot to start the year, Astros righty Cristian Javier hasn't allowed a single run over his last three starts. The 24-year-old is now 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts in 20 2-3 innings across four starts.
Tampa Bay will send Rich Hill, and his godawful 7.25 ERA, to the mound for this contest. While the veteran southpaw is coming off his best performance of the season, he was absolutely brutal before that, surrendering four earned runs in each of his first four starts of the year.
The Astros also have the advantage at the plate in this game, ranking fifth in the majors with 4.96 runs per game, while the Rays are 19th with 4.07 runs/game.
Being able to grab the visiting Astros at -115 to lead by the midway point of the fourth inning looks like an absolute steal.
Jared Walsh Over 0.5 Singles (+100)
MVP candidates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani have been getting most of the attention in L.A. with the Angels currently ranking second in the majors in OPS. But first baseman Jared Walsh has also been outstanding this year, slashing .360/.429/.640 and coming off an incredible performance yesterday where he went 4-for-4 with two home runs.
Perhaps most impressively, the 27-year-old has been a model of consistency and has hit at least one single in 13 of his last 14 games.
The Mariners will give the ball to Justus Sheffield in this contest and the young lefty has struggled this year, pitching to a 5.32 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP in four starts. Sheffield is coming off a brutal game against the Astros where he allowed 12 hits, including 11 singles, before getting the hook midway through the fifth.
The Over on Walsh's singles prop — at plus money in this game — is a terrific value.
Yesterday's MLB record: 2-2, +3.33 units (thank you Mitch Haniger home run)
Season MLB betting record: 42-49, -6.91 units
MLB betting card for May 2
- Marlins vs Nationals First 5 Innings Under 4 (-120)
- 4.5 Innings Line Astros -0.5 (-115)
- Jared Walsh Over 0.5 Singles (+100)
Picks made on 5/02/2021 at 9:25 a.m. ET
MLB parlays
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