MLB Player Props for Monday, April 1st
The 2024 MLB season is finally here. After another wild offseason and an exciting couple of weeks of Spring Training, we’re ready for some games that matter. This season, VSiN Managing Editor Adam Burke will have you covered when it comes to MLB sides and totals in his daily best bets column. You’ll also get some First Five Inning analysis from Jonathan Von Tobel. On top of that, our analytics guru Steve Makinen will feed you some interesting trends and systems on a daily basis. But I’ll be focusing specifically on MLB player props this season, dishing out at least three per day every Monday to Friday. With that in mind, let’s get into the plays for Monday, April 1st.
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MLB Odds | MLB Betting Splits | MLB Matchups
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs – 2:20 pm ET
This might be a low point as far as Shota Imanaga’s strikeout totals go with his MLB player props. The lefty had some issues in Spring Training, finishing with a 5.68 ERA over 12.2 innings pitched. But he struck out at least five batters in all four of his outings, and three of those four starts saw him pitch 3.0 or fewer innings. So, now that the 30-year-old will have a bit of a longer leash, he should be able to go out and miss some bats. And Colorado had the second-highest strikeout rate in the league against left-handed pitching last year. So, this is a very good matchup for “The Throwing Philosopher.” There could be some nerves as Imanaga makes his first-ever start in the regular season. But I like him to go Over this mark, even if he gives up some runs.
Pick: Imanaga Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-118)
Detroit Tigers at New York Mets – 7:10 pm ET
The Mets didn’t strike out at a high rate against right-handed pitching last year, but this total still feels too low for a pitcher like Reese Olson. Last season, Olson had at least six strikeouts in five of his final nine starts, and I was on a few of those with my MLB player props story. Well, Olson picked up where he left off as he started to stretch out in Spring Training, striking out 11 batters over his final 11.0 innings. Olson can occasionally struggle with his command, but he has impressive stuff. And that’s backed up by Stuff+, where he has above-average marks on most of his pitches. But his slider is downright special. So, if he isn’t completely missing the mark out there, he should fool some Mets hitters. After all, it is April 1st.
Pick: Olson Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+135)
New York Yankees at Arizona Diamondbacks – 9:40 pm ET
Juan Soto’s Yankees career is off to a thrilling start, with the 25-year-old batting .529 with a homer and four RBIs. Soto has also come up big with both his bat and his glove late in games, energizing a New York team that is 4-0 to start the season. Well, I like Soto to stay hot for the Yankees, so I’m taking him to go Over 1.5 total bases tonight. Soto has gone Over that mark in three consecutive games, and he now faces a pitcher he has had some success against. Soto is 3 for 11 with a triple and two homers against Diamondbacks righty Ryne Nelson, so I was surprised to see even-money odds on this total. And I’m not going to second guess it one bit, as the Yankees also happen to be playing in a very hitter-friendly ballpark. Fire this one up with today’s MLB player props.
Pick: Soto Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100)
2024 Record: 9-7 (+1.99 units)
Weekend Recap
Saturday’s MLB Player Props
India O2.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs vs. Nationals (+125)
Hendricks Over 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed vs. Ranges (-120
Crawford O5.5 Strikeouts vs. Mariners (-125)
Walker O2.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs vs. Rockies (125)
Sunday’s MLB Player Props
Detmers O4.5 Strikeouts vs. Orioles (-135)
Fraley O1.5 Total Bases vs. Nationals (+125)
Reynolds O1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs vs. Marlins (-115)
King Over 5.5 Ks vs. Giants (-115)
Carroll O2.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs vs. Rockies (+120)
