Three hitters that I have my eye on this Monday are James Wood, Byron Buxton, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Let's dive into my MLB player props for Monday, June 15.
MLB Player Props Today
- James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases (+109, DraftKings)
- Byron Buxton Over 1.5 Total Bases (+108, DraftKings)
- Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 Total Bases (-115, BetMGM)
Royals vs. Nationals Props
Yesterday, James Wood hit his 20th home run of the season, giving him his second consecutive season with 20 home runs. With 13 stolen bases as well, his first 30-30 season is well within reach as well. While we expect Wood to slug given his hulking 6-foot-7 frame, he has shown an increased ability to get on base in general.
This season, Wood is slashing .281/.414/.558. In addition to his home runs, he also has 16 doubles, which means over half of his hits have gone for extra bases. He enters tonight's game with a hit in six straight and eight of his last nine games. Against Mitch Spence, I would expect that streak to continue.
Spence has made just one appearance for the Royals this season, and he allowed six runs against the Yankees. Additionally, left-handed hitters slashed .287/.332/.496 and .311/.358/.522 against him in his two years with the Athletics. Wood has 25 of his extra-base hits (15 home runs and 10 doubles) against right-handed pitchers.
Wood has homered in three of his last four games and also doubled yesterday. He has recorded two total bases in four of his last five games, and he is +397 on DraftKings for a home run tonight.
Pick: James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases
Twins vs. Rangers Props
While Wood is tied fourth in the MLB in home runs, Buxton is just ahead of him in third with 22 home runs. He has homered in five of his last eight games and left one of those early. Buxton had some great matchups over the weekend against the Cardinals, but his five hits over the last two games and home run on Saturday were still surprising. In day games, he has just two home runs and a .608 OPS.
Tonight, Buxton gets to play both at night and face a left-handed starter. In night games, he is slashing .317/.373/.800 with 10 doubles and 20 home runs. Left-handed hitters have fared better against Gore, batting average-wise, but 17 of the 23 extra-base hits he has allowed have been to right-handed hitters. Now, he has to deal with Buxton, who is hitting .290 with three doubles and three home runs against left-handed pitchers.
Buxton is +316 for a home run tonight. While he may go again, he has five multi-hit games of late, and another would give him two total bases even with just two singles. He has cleared two total bases in six of his last eight games, and I like that trend to continue tonight.
Pick: Byron Buxton Over 1.5 Total Bases
Rockies vs. Cubs Props
Coming off a year with 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases, Crow-Armstrong got off to a slow start. However, he has picked it up of late, hitting .314 with six doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 15 RBI, and a 1.016 OPS. Five of those home runs have come in June, where he is hitting .392 with a 1.210 OPS. He has recorded a hit in 17 of his last 18 games.
Ironically, PCA's hitting streak came to an end against the Rockies at Coors Field. Now, he gets them back home again from the "friendly confines" of Wrigley Field. He will face Michael Lorenzen tonight, who enters with a 7.54 ERA.
While making half of his starts at Coors Field hasn't helped, Lorenzen has a 6.68 ERA and .327 opposing batting average on the road. He has given up a 45% hard hit rate and 9.3% barrel rate with left-handers hitting .404 with 24 extra-base hits against him.
PCA tripled off him to lead off the fourth last Wednesday. That was the first straight games in which he has recorded two total bases. While he should get them off Lorenzen, the Rockies also have the worst bullpen in the MLB.
Pick: Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 Total Bases
MLB Player Props for Monday, June 8
- James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases (+109, DraftKings)
- Byron Buxton Over 1.5 Total Bases (+108, DraftKings)
- Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 Total Bases (-115, BetMGM)
