Two left-handed batters that I like tonight are Jonathan Aranda and Kody Clemens. However, we will begin in Cincinnati, where Chase Burns will get the ball against the Royals.
Let's dive into my MLB player props for Monday, June 1.
MLB Player Props Today
- Chase Burns Under 1.5 Earned Runs (+132, bet365)
- Jonathan Aranda Over 1.5 Total Bases (+130, bet365)
- Kody Clemens Over 1.5 Total Bases (+130, DraftKings)
Royals vs Reds Props
Less than two years ago, the Reds made Burns the No. 2 overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft, a clear indication that they expected him to become a frontline starter for them. However, it may be happening even sooner than expected. Through his first 11 starts, Burns has a 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 2.9 WAR, and 72 strikeouts in 64 and 1/3 innings. He is fifth in the MLB in ERA and seventh in WHIP.
Tonight, Burns gets a struggling Royals lineup. Over the weekend, the Royals were swept in Texas and scored just 10 runs in the series. However, Rangers' starters MacKenzie Gore, Kumar Rocker, and Jack Leiter did not allow an earned run. A trip to Great American Ballpark may be what their offense needs to wake up, but tonight their matchup is not ideal.
Despite his hitter-friendly park, Burns sports a 2.10 ERA at home. He ranks in the 84th percentile or better in xERA, xBA, whiff rate, and strikeout rate. He has allowed just eight earned runs at home this season, and five of them were in one start against the Angels. He has gone under this line in four of six home starts this season.
Pick: Chase Burns Under 1.5 Earned Runs
Tigers vs Rays Props
Aranda begins this series against the Tigers riding a nine-game hitting streak. He has four multi-hit games in that span and six extra-base hits with three doubles and home runs apiece. Aranda is now slashing .290/.393/.500 with 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in. He hit just 14 home runs last season when he earned his first All-Star appearance.
Aranda figures to see Ty Madden at some point tonight, whether it is as a traditional starter or bulk reliever. Madden will be coming back from an IL stint, but he has posted a 2.38 ERA in 11 and 1/3 innings this season. However, the real edge may come against the Tigers' relievers that follow him.
The Tigers have lost 21 games; they were leading at some point, 13 of which were blown saves by their bullpen. Yesterday, Colson Montgomery, a fellow left-handed batter, tied the game with a solo home run, and the White Sox won 2-1.
If the Rays need any late-inning magic of their own, Aranda figures to be involved.
He has recorded two hits, runs, and runs batted in or more in eight of his last nine games and two total bases in seven of those games. In that span, he is averaging 2.9 total bases per game. Given that his bases have a better price tonight, that is what I will be backing him for tonight.
Pick: Jonathan Aranda Over 1.5 Total Bases
White Sox vs Twins Props
Speaking of the White Sox, they will be in Minnesota to take on the Twins. They took three of four from the Twins in Chicago last weekend, but Clemens was one of the Twins' hitters who stood out. Clemens had an RBI triple last Tuesday and hit a solo home run on Wednesday.
David Sandlin started that game and allowed just one hit in six innings. His first two MLB starts will come against the Twins, and with another look at him so quickly, the Twins' hitters may have the edge this time around. However, Clemens may find success against the White Sox bullpen again.
Clemens also homered over the weekend in Pittsburgh and is up to six on the year. He got off to a rough start to this season, but he hit .261 with an .809 OPS in May. Of his 24 hits in May, 13 went for extra bases with eight doubles, two triples, and three home runs. As a result, he has recorded two total bases in five of his last eight games and three of his last against the White Sox.
Pick: Kody Clemens Over 1.5 Total Bases
MLB Player Props for Monday, June 1
- Chase Burns Under 1.5 Earned Runs (+132, bet365)
- Jonathan Aranda Over 1.5 Total Bases (+130, bet365)
- Kody Clemens Over 1.5 Total Bases (+130, DraftKings)
