On this Monday, we have a 10-game slate as the work week begins. Three hitters I like today are Pete Alonso, Oneil Cruz, and Drake Baldwin.
Let's dive into my MLB player props picks for the MLB games on Monday, April 13.
MLB Player Props for Monday, April 13
- Pete Alonso Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105, BetMGM)
- Oneil Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120, Fanatics)
- Drake Baldwin Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-114, DraftKings)
Diamondbacks vs Orioles Player Props: Pete Alonso Over 1.5 Total Bases
Pete Alonso ended last season as the Mets' franchise leader with 264 home runs. However, he is wearing a new uniform for the first time in his career as he signed with the Orioles in the offseason. His time in Baltimore has gotten off to a slow start as he is hitting just .190 with a home run and five runs batted in thus far.
However, yesterday, Alonso went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in. The Polar Bear may be awakening just in time to take advantage of a great matchup. Against Ryne Nelson, Alonso is 5-for-11 (.455) with four home runs, eight runs batted in, and a 2.000 OPS.
Last year, Nelson allowed 35 extra-base hits, including 12 home runs, to right-handed hitters. Nelson has already allowed four home runs in his first three starts this season.
Each of Alonso's last three hits have been doubles and that would give two total bases tonight. Alonso is +135 for an extra base hit and +337 for a home run on DraftKings.
Pick: Pete Alonso Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105)
Nationals vs Pirates Player Props: Oneil Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases
Yesterday, the Capitals and Penguins met for what could be the 100th and final matchup between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Tonight, Washington and Pittsburgh will meet on the baseball diamond with the Pirates out to an early lead in the NL Central. Oneil Cruz has led the offense at the plate and likely will bat leadoff once again.
The 27-year-old is hitting .339 and enters tonight's game on an 11-game hitting streak. Yesterday, he led off the game with his fifth home run against the Cubs. While yesterday was one of those "Wrigley wind" games, Cruz's home run went 422 feet, which is not exactly a surprise for him. He enters today's game in the 99th percentile in average exit velocity and 96th in barrel rate and hard-hit percentage.
Cruz will face Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli, who enters with a 2.51 ERA thus far. However, he has needed to pitch out of danger a lot with a 1.47 WHIP, allowing 12 hits and nine walks in 14 and 1/3 innings. Cruz is 1-for-2 with a single against him thus far.
If Cruz extends his hitting streak tonight to 12, he will also be in line to clear his total bases as well. He has three doubles and yesterday's home run in his last five games. He has recorded two total bases in four of them and will look to continue that trend tonight.
Pick: Oneil Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120)
Marlins vs Braves Player Props: Drake Baldwin Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
Last night, the Braves' offense went completely off as they scored 13 runs on Sunday Night Baseball. Drake Baldwin played a minimal role, going 0-for-5 with a run scored and run batted in. However, that has not been the case much to begin this season.
Baldwin enters play today hitting .303 with five home runs, 17 runs batted in, and a .930 OPS. He has reached safely in eight of his last 10 games. Last season, Baldwin hit 19 home runs, drove in 80 and posted a 3.3 WAR, which earned him NL Rookie of the Year. He hit two of those home runs off Marlins right-hander Eury Perez in four at-bats.
Perez was a dark horse Cy Young candidate for some this season, but he has gotten off to a rocky start. Through his first three starts, Perez is 1-1 with a 5.08 ERA while walking nine and allowing four home runs in 16 innings. The Braves have always given Perez fits as he has a 12.19 ERA in three career starts against them.
This year, the Braves are third in runs scored and batting average as a team. Baldwin's placement in the lineup, behind Ronald Acuna Jr. and in front of Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies, makes him a great target for his HRRBI line.
Averaging an RBI per game, he has driven in a run in 11 of 16 games while scoring in 12 of those games. He has recorded two HRRBI in 12 of 16 games while averaging 3.3 per game. Yesterday, he even cashed this line without recording a hit.
Pick: Drake Baldwin Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-114)
MLB Player Props for Monday, April 13
- Pete Alonso Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105, BetMGM)
- Oneil Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120, Fanatics)
- Drake Baldwin Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-114, DraftKings)
