Top 3 MLB Player Props for Sunday, August 21 (2022)
We close out another week of Major League Baseball as all 30 teams are set to take the field this afternoon. The action gets underway with a rubber match between the White Sox and Guardians at 12:05 p.m. ET, and it concludes with the Little League Classic between the Red Sox and Orioles in Williamsport.
Below I’ve listed my top three player props for today’s 15-game slate.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Luis Robert O/U 1.5 Total Bases
The White Sox knotted up their weekend series with the Guardians behind 8.2 scoreless innings from Johnny Cueto in a 2-0 win last night. They’ll look to keep things rolling as Tony LA Russa gives Dylan Cease the nod this afternoon. Cleveland counters with Aaron Civale in this A.L. Central showdown set for 12:05 p.m. ET from Ohio.
Civale hasn’t been great this season as he comes into today’s game at 2-5 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 14 starts. The right-hander did have a good outing last time he took the ball, going 6.0 innings against the Tigers and allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk.
Chicago has hit Civale pretty well throughout his career. They’re 23-80 (.286) against the 27-year-old with three home runs, three doubles, and a triple. Luis Robert has seen him especially well, going 5-12 (.417) with a long ball. The star outfielder is hitting .302 on the year with 12 home runs and an OPS of .791. I like for him to record at least two total bases today.
Bet: Luis Robert Over 1.5 Total Bases (-120 via DraftKings)
Eloy Jimenez O/U 1.5 Total Bases
Keeping it in the same game and moving down the lineup, I’m going to ride with Eloy Jimenez and lock in his over on total bases. The slugger is hitting .307 through 47 games with six big flies and an OPS of .819.
He’s also 5-11 (.455) against Civale with a pair of home runs in his career.
Bet: Eloy Jimenez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105 via DraftKings)
Kevin Newman O/U 1.5 Total Bases
It’s a rubber match in Pittsburgh as the Reds and Pirates square off at 1:35 p.m. ET this afternoon. The Bucs go with Zach Thompson while the Reds counter with Mike Minor.
Minor is having a terrible first year in Cincinnati. The left-hander is just 1-10 in 13 starts this season with a 6.31 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. Most recently, Minor was tagged for four earned runs on 10 hits and a walk over 5.0 innings against the Phillies in a losing effort.
There isn’t a huge head-to-head data set for Minor vs. the Pirates, but Kevin Newman leads the way at 2-5 (.400) with a double against him. The infielder is hitting a respectable .275 over 49 games this year with 17 RBI and an OPS of .691. I think it’s worth a shot with the plus-money payout to back Newman on his total bases number today. It’s also worth mentioning that the Reds rank dead last in bullpen ERA (4.94) and 29th in WHIP (1.43).
Bet: Kevin Newman Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120 via DraftKings)
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