For my Tuesday MLB props, I will be backing Kyle Tucker, who gets a favorable matchup against Patrick Corbin. On the mound, I will be backing aces Zack Wheeler and Freddy Peralta.
Let's dive into my MLB player prop picks for Tuesday, April 8.
MLB Prop Picks — Tuesday, April 8
- Zack Wheeler Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-150, Fanatics)
- Kyle Tucker Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-115, BetMGM)
- Freddy Peralta Over 6.5 Strikeouts (- 130, DraftKings)
Phillies vs. Braves Player Props: Take Wheeler's Over
It’s been rare that the Braves’ offense has been a clear fade. However, they were shut out at home by the Marlins before Sunday’s rainout, are last in runs scored this season and rank 26th in wRC+.
Now, Atlanta faces Zack Wheeler, against whom they scored just two runs across 19 innings last season. Wheeler is off to a dominant start this year, with 18 strikeouts and a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings. Dating back to last season, he has worked six innings in each of his past 10 starts and has gone into the seventh in six of them. This includes his last start against the Braves, where he worked seven scoreless innings.
Wheeler also hasn't issued a walk in his past three starts against Atlanta. If that trend continues, it will help keep his pitch count down. He has thrown 97 and 105 pitches in his first two starts, which means he should be stretched out and primed to work six innings for the fourth consecutive time against the Braves.
Rangers vs. Cubs Player Props: Count on Tucker
If your only exposure to the Cubs this season was their Tokyo series against the Dodgers, you might have missed how impressive their offense has been. The Cubs lead MLB with 84 runs scored in 13 games. Since that Tokyo series, they are also third in home runs and first in runs.
The leader of the Cubs' attack has been the newly acquired Kyle Tucker. The 28-year-old has reached base safely in each of his past 12 games. He is hitting .327 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and a 1.165 OPS.
Tucker will face Patrick Corbin tonight, who will be making his season debut with the Rangers. The veteran southpaw has had an ERA above 5.00 in each of the past four seasons. Tucker is 1-for-2 with a solo home run against Corbin and handles left-handed pitchers well in general. So, the left-on-left matchup shouldn’t trouble him tonight.
Tucker has recorded two total bases in six of his past 10 games and has cleared his hits + runs + RBI line in seven of contests. While I lean toward both hitting tonight, Tucker has already drawn 12 walks. If he walks and comes around to score, he can cash this line with just a hit of any variety.
Brewers vs. Rockies Player Props: Peralta Can Rack Up Strikeouts
Through his first two starts, Freddy Peralta has been on fire with a 2.08 ERA across 13 innings. Against Kansas City, he pitched eight innings — his longest outing in six years. He has recorded eight strikeouts in each of his two starts, including against the Yankees and their torpedo bats.
Tonight, Peralta gets the Rockies, who are leading MLB in Strikeout Rate. Pitching at Coors Field is never easy, but this Rockies lineup isn't as potent as it has been in years past.
Peralta has fanned Kris Bryant, Brenton Doyle, Kyle Farmer, Ryan McMahon and Jacob Stallings at least four times. He has also struck out Michael Toglia and Ezequiel Tovar. Bryant, McMahon, Tovar, Toglia and Hunter Goodman all have a strikeout rate north of 22.5%. If Peralta works six innings tonight, I like his chances of getting seven strikeouts.
