Day 1 of the Divisional Series did not disappoint. Three underdogs won outright, with the Houston Astros being the lone home team to win. Today, just the American League will be in action with the Baltimore Orioles looking to even up the series at home at 4:07 E.T. To follow that game, the Minnesota Twins will look to steal a game in Houston to even up the series. Let’s dive into our top MLB home run picks and player prop bets for Sunday, Oct. 8.
Top MLB Home Run Pick & Player Prop Bet for Sunday, Oct. 8
Twins-Astros Player Prop Bet
When: 8:03 p.m. ET
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
Justin’s Target: Yordan Alvarez at BetMGM
The most feared postseason batter in baseball is back at it again. Yordan Alvarez put on a clinic in the Astros Game 1 victory. He hit two home runs and continues to be a cash cow in the player prop department. This specific MLB player prop bet is available on BetMGM and DraftKings – both being +110. Alvarez will be called upon against Pablo Lopez, an off-season acquisition that has paid wonders for the Twins.
Pablo Lopez put together one of the best performances from a pitcher in the Wild Card series. He went 5.1 innings and allowed just one run against a talented but mentally weak Toronto Blue Jays team. The Astros, unlike the Blue Jays, are meant for this moment. They’re looking to make it back to the World Series for the third straight season, led by the top of the order that continues to deliver—headlined by Yordan Alvarez, who is hitting .326 against RHP in the last 30 days. That includes six home runs and six walks.
We’re trusting the Astros offense to deliver against Lopez, who have limited at-bats in their career against the RHP. But Alvarez is a career 2/2 with two singles. A threat to always walk with his 93rd percentile BB%; we’re baking on the middle of the order to drive Alvarez in if he finds himself on the basepaths.
Best MLB Player Prop Bet: Yordan Alvarez Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI (+110 at BetMGM)
Rangers-Orioles Home Run Pick
When: 4:07 p.m. ET
Where: Camden Yards, Baltimore
Justin’s Target: Anthony Santander at FanDuel
Boring call here, huh? Here I am targeting another hitter that went yard yesterday. But, Anthony Santander is showing great value on FanDuel, according to OddsShopper’s tools.
At just +370 on DraftKings, FanDuel is coming in at the best price for this home run prop. Santander has a solid history against LHP Jordan Montgomery. In 15 at-bats, Santander has three extra-base hits, including a home run that dates back to last season when Montgomery was a member of the New York Yankees. Being division rivals years back, Santander knows what Montgomery is capable of and what to expect from the southpaw.
Santander’s 420-foot home run yesterday hit 108 MPH and left in a hurry. He also roped a single that was hit over 100 MPH. The one that most won’t talk about is his 104 MPH double play that he hit into. He’s not only hitting the ball hard but seeing the ball well with his low K% against LHP. Mix that in with Montgomery, who doesn’t have the greatest strikeout stuff; Santander will have plenty of opportunities to hit a home run at home with all the pressure on him.
Best MLB Home Run Bet: Anthony Santander +500 at FanDuel
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