After a rough outing last time out, Max Scherzer returns to Arizona, where he began his career. Additionally, two hitters I like to stay hot tonight are Jeremiah Jackson and Ramon Laureano.
Let's dive into my MLB player props picks for the MLB games on Saturday, April 18.
MLB Player Props
- Jeremiah Jackson Over 1.5 Hits + Runs Batted In
- Max Scherzer Over 2.5 Earned Runs
- Ramon Laureano Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
Orioles vs Guardians Player Props
Jeremiah Jackson Over 1.5 Hits + Runs Batted In
For the last two days, the Orioles' offense had been having a rough go of it in Cleveland. After nearly getting no-hit by Parker Messick on Thursday, they were shut out through seven innings last night. After breaking through in the eighth, Jackson gave them the lead for good with a three-run home run.
The 26-year-old has provided a punch from the bottom of the lineup, hitting .317 with five home runs, 17 runs batted in, and a .923 OPS. He currently leads a team that rosters Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso in runs batted in. He has recorded a hit in seven of his last eight games.
Gavin Williams will put that to the test today as he enters with a 2.38 ERA through his first four starts. However, he has also had two walks in each of his first four starts (16 in total), and he ranks in the 15th percentile in barrel rate and 28th in hard-hit percentage. Jackson ranks in the 81st percentile in barrel rate and 82nd percentile in xSLG.
Batting ninth again means Jackson may only see Williams twice, which would give him an at-bat or two against a Guardians bullpen that needs four arms to cover the final three frames yesterday. At any rate, in six of his last eight games, Jackson has recorded two or more hits, runs, and runs batted in. At plus odds, I'm taking the swing with him here.
Pick: Jeremiah Jackson Over 1.5 Hits + Runs Batted In
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks Player Props
Max Scherzer Over 2.5 Earned Runs
Scherzer has enjoyed a long and illustrious career that will land him in Cooperstown after he is done playing. He should record his 3,500th strikeout tonight as he is just two away. However, year 19 has not gotten off to a great start.
Scherzer has allowed three earned runs in just one of his first three starts. However, he allowed two earned runs in two innings before leaving with an injury early against the Dodgers, a game they would go on to score 14 runs. He made his next start and still only lasted 2 and 1/3 innings, allowing eight earned runs while surrendering five hits and two walks.
Scherzer will return to Arizona to face the team that drafted him today. The Diamondbacks have scored three runs in 11 straight games. In the last four games, they have had three runs by the fifth inning with 10 hits in all four games. If that trend continues and they have three runs in the first five innings today, they will likely be off Scherzer and cash his earned runs line.
Pick: Max Scherzer Over 2.5 Earned Runs
Padres vs Angels Player Props
Ramon Laureano Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
In the final game of the night, the Padres will take on the Angels. Laureano will likely be the first batter of the game, and he will do so looking to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Laureano has nine hits in his last six games with five going extra bases, including two home runs. He is +_ for a home run tonight.
Laureano has not homered off Yusei Kikuchi yet, but he is 8-for-26 (.308) with two doubles against him. Last season, Kikuchi allowed 72 runs, 52 extra-base hits, and a .781 OPS against right-handed hitters. He has not had much more success against him this season, as righties are hitting .322 with two home runs and a .908 OPS against him.
He has allowed four earned runs in each of his last three starts. Laureano may be a factor in the Padres' scoring today as he has scored or driven in a run in four of his last five games. He has recorded two hits, runs, and runs batted in all five games in that span while averaging 4.4 per game. He has cleared this line in 12 of 18 games this season, and considering his history against Kikuchi, I like that trend to continue.
Pick: Ramon Laureano Over 1.5 Hits + Runs Batted In
MLB Player Props for Saturday, April 18
- Jeremiah Jackson Over 1.5 Hits + Runs Batted In
- Max Scherzer Over 2.5 Earned Runs
- Ramon Laureano Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
