MLB Props: Betting On a Player to Hit a Home Run

The most common ways to bet on any MLB game is with the use of moneyline and total line odds. A third option is the run line which builds a 1 ½ run spread into the betting odds. However, savvy MLB bettors also realize that any number of online sportsbooks also offer daily prop bet options for every single game.

MLB moneylines, total lines and runs line rely heavily on a game’s starting pitchers. Other factors such as the home plate umpire, current injuries and field conditions also come into play. This adds a challenge to handicapping any matchup with multiple factors impacting the outcome.

Finding Value Betting on MLB Home Run Single Game Props

MLB Prop bet options covering a wide array of player performance categories makes things a bit easier to manage. For example, betting a prop covering a player’s chance to hit a home run comes down to two basic factors. The first is overall performance and the other is current form.

MLB Oddsmakers tend to focus heavily on overall performance. Savvy bettors can often times gain the edge tracking current form.


Bet on MLB Home Runs at BetOnline


Using home run props as an example, a certain player’s odds will reflect their ability to hit a home run in general. If they just belted a bunch of home runs in their past few games, there is a good chance their betting odds will be undervalued in their upcoming game.

The same could be said for a slugger that is in a hitting slump. His odds may be overvalued to hit a home run in his next outing.

Fernando Tatis Jr. Leads MLB in Home Runs

Turning to this season’s top home run hitters, San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. is leading the way with 12 through Monday’s games. He has been rather streaky all season long. Over his last six games he has posted just one home run. This followed a three-game run where he knocked three balls out of the park.

Earlier in the MLB season, Tatis belted a total of five home runs in four games. Coming off a minor slump, you might want to take a chance betting on him to get hot once again depending on the odds.

Nelson Cruz of the Minnesota Twins and Mike Trout of the LA Angels are seasoned hitters that tend to have more consistency in their overall performance. Cruz has hit 11 home runs in his first 29 games with Trout hitting 10 in 26 previous contests.

Interestingly enough, Cruz has now hit three home runs in his last four games. You might want to ride that hot streak with a home run prop bet in his next game or two.

Trout has been rather cold in the home run department lately. He has gone seven games without a dinger and he only has one home run in his last nine outings.

You can go either way in this one. On the road against Houston in his next two games, you may want to go against him hitting any home runs in those games.


Get Free MLB Picks and Baseball Game Recaps Daily at SAS.


Successfully betting MLB props is all about weighing potential against current form. The best players will always break out of a slump with a couple of really productive games. The hottest players are always going to eventually cool down.

By putting more weight on current form and less weight on overall performance, you should be able to find value in MLB props. One online book that tends to post quite a few daily MLB prop options is BetOnline.

About the Author
Dave Schwab
Click to Contact
DocSports, The most trusted name in sports handicapping