There is a full slate of MLB games today and it is heavy on daytime baseball. Three players I have my eye on today are Kazuma Okamoto, Tarik Skubal, and Giancarlo Stanton.
Let's dive into my MLB player props picks for the MLB games on Wednesday, April 1
MLB Player Props for Wednesday, April 1
- Kazuma Okamoto Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Batted In (-134)
- Tarik Skubal Over 7.5 Strikeouts (+118)
- Giancarlo Stanton Over 1.5 Total Bases (+161)
Rockies vs Blue Jays Player Props: Kazuma Okamoto Over 1.5 RBI
In Japan, Okamoto hit 281 home runs, which earned him a four-year, $60 million contract from the Blue Jays. However, it has not taken him long to adapt to major league pitching. Through his first five games in the MLB, the 30-year-old is hitting .300 with two home runs, three runs batted in, and a .991 OPS. Of course, opening up with the Athletics and Rockies' pitching staffs will help with that transition and the Blue Jays will conclude their three-game with the Rockies today.
Colorado will start Kyle Freeland today and that should be a recipe for Blue Jays' runs today. Freeland has had a WHIP of 1.40 or higher in each of his last seven seasons. He also allowed right-handed hitters to hit .300 with 47 extra-base hits and .821 OPS last season. That should play to Okamoto's benefit, but also George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Okamoto has been in the cleanup spot behind Springer and Guerrero against lefties this season. If they get on, he will be able to drive them in with a hit. However, his third solo home run of the year will do as well and that is +365 on Fanatics tonight. Regardless, he has recorded two hits, runs, and runs batted in four of his first five games and I like that trend to continue today.
Pick: Kazuma Okamoto Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
Tigers vs Diamondbacks Player Props: Tarik Skubal Over 7.5 Strikeouts
Coming off two consecutive AL Cy Young wins, Tarik Skubal looked the part with six dominant innings, allowing three hits and one unearned run. He recorded six strikeouts against a Padres lineup that is difficult to strike out, but also did not need to exert himself too much as he only threw 74 pitches.
Today, he has another difficult matchup on paper against Arizona, who was 28th in strikeout rate against left-handers last season. However, the Diamondbacks are striking out more in 2026 than they did last season. Four of the first five starters they have faced this season have recorded six or more strikeouts and three of them cleared their lines. Last night, Casey Mize doubled his line with nine strikeouts in six innings.
Today, he gets to watch his good friend to go to work and we have value. Last season, Skubal averaged 8.1 strikeouts per game across 34 starts. If he navigates Arizona's lineup as well as Mize did last night, he should not have much trouble getting to that average today in six innings or so. Additionally, manager A.J. Hinch may need an extra frame from him the Tigers' bullpen melted down in the eighth inning last night.
Pick: Tarik Skubal Over 7.5 Strikeouts
Yankees vs Mariners Player Props: Giancarlo Stanton Over 1.5 Total Bases
Since Stanton's debut in mid-June last season, he is slashing .290/.360/.606 with 25 home runs and 70 runs batted in through 82 games played. Now considering Stanton has a career .875 OPS, that stretch may not seem particularly shocking. However, he has been limited by injuries in recent years and did not have an .800 OPS for three straight seasons.
Healthy and available to begin this season, Stanton has gotten off to a fast start. He has recorded two hits in each of his first five games and that has translated to a .500 batting average. Three of his 10 hits have gone for extra bases with two doubles and a home run.
Today, Stanton will face George Kirby, who was dominant in his first start against the Guardians. However, Stanton is mashing to begin this season with a 94.4 mph average exit velocity, 22.1% barrel rate, and 55.2% hard hit percentage. That will give him a chance to record two total bases for the sixth straight game to begin this season, whether it is against Kirby or a Mariners reliever. He also +406 for two hits if that streak continues as well.
Pick: Giancarlo Stanton Over 1.5 Total Bases
MLB Player Props for Wednesday, April 1
- Kazuma Okamoto Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Batted In (-134)
- Tarik Skubal Over 7.5 Strikeouts (+118)
- Giancarlo Stanton Over 1.5 Total Bases (+161)
