We are rolling into this Easter Sunday fresh off a 2-1 Saturday where we were one Tanner Houck strikeout away from a sweep. Today, we're targeting the men on the mound, as there are a few totals that can't be overlooked. Let's find out whom we're targeting in today's top player props.
MLB Player Props For Sunday, April 9
Tyler Wells Under 4.5 Strikeouts -110
| Yankees vs. Orioles | |
| First Pitch | 1:35 pm ET |
| Best Line | Draftkings |
The Yankees have been striking out at a slightly higher rate than the league average, and it may have created this over-inflated total for Orioles starter Tyler Wells. However, Wells is not your prototypical strikeout pitcher, and this total is unjustified, given what we've seen from him in his young career.
Last season, Wells had a Strikeout Rate of just 18 percent. That ranked in the bottom 20 percent of the majors.
In his first start of this season, he was dominant as he threw five perfect innings against the Rangers, but he notched just two strikeouts. This afternoon, he'll face a division rival who's already gotten a few looks at him last season, and the Yankees did not strike out much.
In three starts against the Bronx Bombers, Wells tallied just 13 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched and did not record more than five in any outing.
However, this total is not just high for the matchup but also too high in general. Wells has gone under this total in 21 of his 24 starts, which gives us incredible implied odds of -700 that he'll go under again this afternoon.
Pick: Tyler Wells Under 4.5 Strikeouts |
Reid Detmers Under 5.5 Hits Allowed -125
| Blue Jays vs. Angels | |
| First Pitch | 4:07 pm ET |
| Best Line | Draftkings |
Reid Detmers is a pitcher whom many are high on this season, as he was dominant in the second half of 2022, and there is a clear velocity spike in his entire arsenal. However, that velocity uptick may have worked against him in his first outing, as his command was not sharp.
He walked three, struck out seven and allowed four hits against the Mariners. He'll face an even better offense in the Blue Jays today, but his outstanding stuff and lack of command will work in our favor.
Detmers is determined to miss bats, and he's shown he can do that whether the opponent swings or not. His hits prop is far too high, even against the high-powered Toronto lineup.
Over his last 25 starts, Detmers has allowed five or fewer hits in 19 of them. That gives us implied odds of -316 that he'll go under today.
Don't let the matchup scare you away from this incredible value.
Pick: Under 5.5 Hits Allowed
Yusei Kikuchi Under 5.5 Strikeouts -155
| Blue Jays vs. Angels | |
| First Pitch | 4:07 pm ET |
| Best Line | bet365 |
Since his arrival in 2019, we've seen Yusei Kikuchi's ability to make hitters swing and miss. However, his command has failed him over the last few seasons, which has capped his strikeout upside.
Last season, Kikuchi was one of the hardest-hit pitchers in the league, as he finished in the bottom one percent in Average Exit Velocity, Hard-Hit Rate and Barrel Rate. Although, he finished in the top 25 percent in Strikeout and Whiff Rate.
It seems that his command within the zone has been poor, and he rarely gets away with mistakes. The Angels are a capable offensive club that has cut down on the strikeouts early this season.
We should see the middle of the Angels batting order continue to punish Kikuchi's mistakes and keep the strikeouts to a minimum.
Pick: Under 5.5 Strikeouts
