MLB Monday player props: Best bets to hit a home run
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It's a brand-new week on the diamond and we only have one question for you: Are you ready to bet some home run candidates?
Here are the top players primed to go yard in Monday's 10-game slate:
Bryce Harper, Phillies +330
Harper has quietly gone about his business through his first 10 games of the 2020 season. He enters Monday slashing .267/.463/.500 with two homers, seven runs, and 0.5 WAR.
Harper is due for more round-trippers: He's second on the Phillies in average exit velocity (90.9 mph), while his hard-hit percentage is currently in the 87th percentile. Expect some results sooner than later, especially against a pitcher he's menaced throughout his career.
The Phillies draw Sean Newcomb for Monday's opener against the Braves. Harper is 3-for-9 with two homers, a whopping seven walks, and just one strikeout over 16 career plate appearances against the southpaw.
To top it off, the forecast in Philadelphia calls for warm conditions and 8-mph winds blowing out.
This is an easy bet.
Michael Conforto, Mets +500
The Mets have high expectations for the 27-year-old Conforto, who's putting his power on full display in the early portion of the campaign. He's 18-for-58 (.310) with three homers, three more doubles, and 0.7 WAR through 16 games.
Conforto's advanced stats won't wow the analytics crowd - his hard-hit percentage is below average and his exit velocity could use a boost - but let's stick to the basics for this pick.
The Mets face left-hander Patrick Corbin on Monday, setting up a favorable matchup for Conforto. He's 8-for-22 with five homers, 11 driven in, and a 1.402 OPS in his career against the Nationals starter.
Getting 5-1 here is a steal.
Charlie Blackmon, Rockies +450
This is another solid number on a hitter who's tearing the cover off the ball. Blackmon rides a 13-game hit streak into Monday's action. The Rockies outfielder has multi-hit outings in each of his last four, with a pair of jacks over that span.
Blackmon's .458/.492/.695 slash line will gradually return to earth, but why not ride the hot hand? He's 20-for-46 with five homers in his career against Robbie Ray, who gets the start Monday for the Diamondbacks.
In a contest played at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Blackmon's stock remains unbelievably high.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.