MLB Home Run Predictions: Bobby Witt & Bryce Harper (Thursday)
Baseball fans across the country can rejoice. The wait is over. Opening Day of the 2025 MLB regular season is here, and the sport's best are set for action. There is no better way to ignite a passionate home crowd or quiet a raucous road one than with a home run. Here’s a glance at a few players worth backing to leave the yard on Thursday.
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Thursday’s Best MLB Home Run Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Bobby Witt Jr. (+550)
Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. is a different animal when he steps on the diamond at Kauffman Stadium. The All-Star shortstop finished last year with the highest batting average (.382) and the most extra-base knocks (54) of any hitter during home games. Those statistics began when Witt went 6-for-11 with three doubles, one triple and one home run in an opening series versus the Minnesota Twins. Expect him to get off to another hot start in 2025.
Right-hander Tanner Bibee will be on the mound to face Witt on Thursday afternoon. The Cleveland ace is not an easy pitcher to beat by any means, but he did concede a 385-foot blast to Witt back in August. Overall, 22 of the 35 homers Bibee has allowed in his career have come on the road. Look for Witt to take advantage of a pitch left in the middle of the plate by launching it toward the outfield fountains.
Nick Castellanos (+650) & Bryce Harper (+500)
The Phillies are built to overpower southpaws. After all, they have ranked among the top six teams in home runs and slugging percentage against left-handers in each of the previous two seasons. That is bad news for Washington’s MacKenzie Gore. Gore enters Thursday with a lackluster 1-4 record and a 4.96 ERA in nine battles with Philadelphia. There are a ton of reliable sluggers to choose from in this National League East clash.
I’ll double-dip with Nick Castellanos and Bryce Harper. Castellanos is 7-for-20 with a pair of dingers versus Gore. Harper is tied for the most Opening Day homers among active players (five). Not only that, but both Philly batters boast an OPS north of .950 when facing the Nationals. Maintaining that level of success across 50-80 career showdowns with one squad is impressive, to say the least. Root for moonshots in the nation’s capital.
