MLB Home Run Props, Bets & Picks: Saturday (8/16)
Welcome to another day of baseball as we've reached the dog days of summer - after the trade deadline but before playoff races heat up. Still, there's baseball to be played, which means we get to keep betting on some home run odds. Saturday's slate features plenty of games as we continue a solid season, hitting some metaphorical and literal longshots. Let’s dive into the top MLB home run props and predictions for this weekend's matchups.
Betting on specific players to hit a home run is an exciting way to bet on baseball, and the wins are some of the biggest. The plus-money odds can provide larger payouts that make for some great betting. As a friendly reminder, shop around for the best odds because home run odds differ widely across sportsbooks. Here are some of my favorite players to hit a home run in today's games.
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Saturday's Best MLB Home Run Prop Bets
Last Time: 0-3 | Season: 9-37 (+10.1 Units) | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Christian Yelich (+275)
Let's start simple. They’re not the longest odds and this might be the shortest home run bet I've ever made, but the Brewers are hot and I want to jump on that train before it loses steam. After being traded from the Rays, Zack Littell makes his third start as a Red, and it's not like he's had a spectacular season. His 3.60 ERA is solid, no doubt, but he does have a career-high 1.68 HR/9 this season.
Christian Yelich has been on an absolute tear of late, slashing .412/.483/.745 with five home runs in his last 12 games during this Brewers winning streak. Now it doesn't help that he homered twice already yesterday, but throwing a bet at any of these Brewers hitters seems like a good idea right now. I'm going with the guy on fire that will see the most at-bats, who is helped by the short porch in right field.
J.T. Realmuto (+450)
J.T. Realmuto hasn't exactly been clobbering the ball this year with seven total home runs, but the splits are lining up for the Phillies catcher to go deep today. Cade Cavalli takes the bump for the Nationals, making his third start of the season and fourth of his career. In a limited sample size, righties have done well off Cavalli with a .917 OPS and .350 batting average.
Realmuto is batting .297/.355/.420 off righties, seeing them much better with six of his seven homers coming off them. He's also picked it up since the All-Star break, with five home runs coming in that time frame. I'm hoping to ride the wave with Realmuto going deep off the inexperienced Cavalli in Washington.
Jose Ramirez (+320)
Finally, I'm taking the man who has already homered twice off Braves starting pitcher Joey Wentz. Jose Ramirez is also much better on the right side of the plate, with a .906 OPS versus southpaws. Pair that with his .969 home OPS compared to an .816 mark on the road, and you can see why I like him so much.
I'm surprised Ramirez’s odds aren't shorter, but this is a reminder to shop around for the best lines because they are rarely consistent across sportsbooks. Wentz has allowed five of his six home runs to righties this year, and Ramirez will likely get five plate appearances. The opportunity will be there, and he's coming off a hitless game after clobbering the ball all week. He's due, and I'm jumping on board.