Today, we have a full slate of Saturday baseball, highlighted by a doubleheader in Kansas City. Kyle Isabel is one Royals hitter I am eyeing early, along with Chandler Simpson and Emerson Hancock in the night games.
Let's dive into my MLB player props picks for the MLB games on Saturday, April 4.
MLB Player Props for Saturday, April 4
- Kyle Isabel Over 0.5 Hits (-125, BetMGM)
- Chandler Simpson Over 0.5 Singles (-132, DraftKings)
- Emerson Hancock Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-146, FanDuel)
Royals vs Brewers Player Props: Kyle Isabel Over 0.5 Hits
The Royals are off to a 3-3 start and have scored 23 runs in their first six games. However, they have gotten some punch from the bottom of their order from Isabel. The 29-year-old opened the Royals' last series against the Twins by going 6-for-7 and homering in consecutive games while driving in four. Isabel has hit two of the team's six home runs this year and is seven out from his career high already.
Isabel is hitting .500 to begin this season, and he has done so while recording a hit in each of his first five games. He may leave today with a seven-game hitting streak as the Brewers are set for two with the Royals today. While I like him against both projected starters (Chad Patrick and Brandon Sproat), props are only available for the first game as of this writing.
While Patrick had a solid first start against the White Sox, he did not stick around long enough to qualify for the win. He allowed five hits, and three of them were to left-handed hitters. Last season, he allowed left-handers to hit .267 against him compared to .233 against right-handed hitters. That should also benefit Isabel if he gets two of his four plate appearances against Patrick.
Pick: Kyle Isabel Over 0.5 Hits
Twins vs Rays Player Props: Chandler Simpson Over 0.5 Singles
Like Isabel, Simpson has gotten off to a fast start this season. Simpson is hitting .417 and has a hit in six of his first seven games. While his early-season hitting streak came to an end last night, he has a matchup to get back on track against Mick Abel.
While debuting with the Phillies last season, Abel dazzled at times, including outdueling Paul Skenes. However, after being acquired by Minnesota at the trade deadline, Abel had an 8.36 ERA in four starts. His first outing this season did not go much better, as he allowed eight hits, five earned runs, and four walks in 3 1/3 innings against Baltimore.
Three of the hits that Abel allowed last week were doubles, but that may not apply to Simpson. Nine of Simpson's 10 hits this season are singles, and several have not left the infield. Simpson's elite speed is a weapon for the Rays offense and allows him to beat out many balls he puts in play on the infield. On another cold and dreary day in Minnesota, he may be one of the hitters who is not affected.
Pick: Chandler Simpson Over 0.5 Singles
Angels vs Mariners Player Props: Emerson Hancock Over 4.5 Strikeouts
It is hard to be much better than Hancock was in his season debut against the Guardians. He only allowed a walk in six scoreless innings while striking out nine. While baseball purists may not love that he did not get the chance to finish a no-hitter, he was already at 97 pitches on the night. However, the fact that he is already stretched out over 90 pitches is a positive for tonight's start.
Tonight, Hancock will face an Angels lineup that led the league in strikeout rate last season. Hancock had six strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against them last season. Not much has changed, as the Angels have 92 strikeouts through their first eight games.
Thus far, Hancock has not been a high-strikeout pitcher, with 118 strikeouts in 168 career innings. However, he has always had the potential to become one, given his stuff and long being heralded as an elite prospect. If last week's start was the first sign of his breakout, we are still buying low on him here in a great matchup.
If he goes six innings again, he should be able to get five strikeouts against this Angels lineup. Additionally, if he is able to repeat last week's outing, nine strikeouts is +1100 on DraftKings.
Pick: Emerson Hancock Over 4.5 Strikeouts
