On this Wednesday, three left-handed sluggers that I will be targeting include Shohei Ohtani, James Wood, and Ben Rice.
Let's dive into my MLB player props picks for the MLB games on Wednesday, April 8.
MLB Player Props for Wednesday, April 8
- Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100, Fanatics)
- James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases (+136, DraftKings)
- Ben Rice Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-110, bet365)
Dodgers vs Blue Jays Player Props: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases
While Ohtani was dominant in his first start of the season against Cleveland, he got off to an un-Ohtani-like start at the plate. Through the Dodgers' first two series, he was hitting just .167 and had yet to homer or drive in a run. However, he has perked up on the Dodgers' road trip.
Over his last five games, Ohtani is 9-for-23 (.391) with three home runs and eight runs batted in. He has recorded two total bases in four of his last five games. Today, he is pulling double duty again as he makes his second start on the mound this season, but he should be comfortable at the plate working against Dylan Cease.
Ohtani is 10-for-26 (.385) with two doubles, three home runs, 10 runs batted in, and a 1.274 OPS. He has seen a lot of him over the last few years while Cease was with the rival Padres and now he gets him again in this early season World Series rematch.
Ohtani has two hits in four of his last five games and an extra base hit in three of them. Either a multi-hit game or an extra base hit would give him two total bases today.
Pick: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases
Cardinals vs Nationals Player Props: James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases
Like Ohtani, Wood got off to a slow start with just three hits in his first 23 at-bats. Considering his slump after the Home Run Derby last season, there was a bit more of a concern for fans in the nation's capital. Wood still enters this game, hitting just .191 this season, but he has done damage when he has connected.
Of his nine hits this season, seven have gone for extra bases with three doubles and four home runs. That has produced one of the strangest early season slash lines -.191/.309/.511- that you will see. Wood's extra base hits have helped him record two total bases in seven of 11 games this season and has homered in each of his last three games.
I would not rule out a fourth today considering his matchup. Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy allowed eight doubles, two triples, nine home runs, and a .912 OPS to left-handed hitters last season. He tossed six no-hit innings in his first outing, but allowed seven hits and three earned runs against the Tigers in his last start.
Left-handed Kevin McGonigle and Riley Greene both got him for doubles as well. If Wood joins that group today, he is +185 for an extra base hit and +407 on DraftKings for a home run.
Pick: James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases
Athletics vs Yankees Player Props: Ben Rice Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
While Yankees fans are usually not easy to please, they were particularly upset last season whenever Rice was benched or pulled for Paul Goldschmidt. In Game 1 of the AL Wildcard Series, Rice was benched for Goldschmidt and the Yankees' offense was shut down. He then sparked a Game 2 victory with a home run in his first at-bat.
Rice has provided further vindication for Yankees' fans with his start this season. He currently ranks in the top 10 in the MLB in batting average (.379), RBI (11), and OPS (1.378) while adding three home runs. Tonight, he will face former Yankee Luis Severino, who allowed 25 extra base hits, a .270 batting average and a .752 OPS to left-handed hitters last season.
Rice has homered in three of his last five games and will be in play for most Yankees' home games with the short porch in right field. While that would make a total bases target as well, I am going with his HRRBI line instead.
Rice has scored a run in eight of nine games this season and driven in a run in five. As a result, he has recorded two hits, runs, and runs batted in eight times in nine games this season, averaging 3.7 per game. With an early season 89% hit rate, he gives us great value for a -110 line.
Pick: Ben Rice Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, and Runs Batted In
MLB Player Props for Wednesday, April 8
- Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100, Fanatics)
- James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases (+136, DraftKings)
- Ben Rice Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-110, bet365)
