MLB Best Bets Today, 4/7 - Expert Picks, Predictions, Props, & Odds
We have a full 15-game slate of MLB action on Sunday with a ton of afternoon matchups and the lone night game. Let’s find some winners with today’s MLB bets and predictions. The best bets went 4-0 yesterday, so let’s keep it going. Our game predictions for Sunday feature the White Sox vs Royals and Astros vs Rangers. We also have a few MLB player props to lock in for Sunday’s games.
As always, be sure to shop around for the best odds and lines at different sportsbooks. The odds in this article below are accurate as of this writing. Without further ado, let’s check out the MLB best bets and baseball predictions for Sunday, April 7th.
MLB Best Bets For Today: Sunday, April 7
White Sox vs Royals Prediction Today, 4/7
Chicago White Sox fans don’t have a lot to be excited about these days. Garrett Crochet, though, is at least a bright spot. The converted reliever is now essentially the “ace” of the White Sox rotation in his first year as a starter. Crochet has been excellent in his first two starts this season with six innings of one-run ball against the Tigers and seven innings with only one run allowed vs the Braves. He also boasts an impressive 16:1 K:BB ratio so far with eight strikeouts in both outings.
It’s also noteworthy that Crochet did this against the loaded Atlanta lineup and an underrated Detroit offense. The southpaw should keep it going against the Kansas City Royals today. They are below average in multiple offensive categories and averaging just 4.3 runs per game. Look for Crochet to limit the Royals bats with another solid outing. It’s a small sample size, but it’s encouraging that his 1.95 FIP backs up the strong start so far.
On the other side, let’s count on Royals starter Alec Marsh keeping the White Sox lineup in check. Marsh also had a strong first start with seven innings of one-run ball against the dangerous Orioles offense. The right-hander’s outings won’t all be that good, as this is still a guy who had a 5.69 ERA last year. Still, this is more of a fade of the Chicago offense. The White Sox have just a .278 wOBA and .200 BA against right-handed pitching this season and are averaging less than two runs per game.
Take the under for the full game and first five innings as we bank on both starting pitchers having success against two subpar offenses. White Sox games are 5-2-1 to the under so far while the Royals are 4-3-1 to the under.
Expert White Sox vs Royals Predictions:
- Under 9 Total Runs (-120 FanDuel)
- 1st 5 Innings Under 4.5 (-110 BetMGM)
Astros vs Rangers Prediction Today, 4/7
Ronel Blanco made headlines Monday when he tossed a no-hitter in his first start of the season. What might we see from the Houston Astros starter for his encore on Sunday night against the Rangers? Well, history tells us Blanco may struggle. More often than not recently, pitchers come crashing back down to Earth in their starts right after a flawless outing.
We had three pitchers toss a complete game no-hitter or perfect game last year, here’s how their next starts went. Michael Lorenzen: 7 runs (6 earned) and 8 hits allowed in 3.1 innings. Framber Valdez: 6 runs and 8 hits allowed in 7 innings. Domingo German: 3 runs and 9 hits allowed in 4.1 innings. That’s a combined 8.59 ERA. Going back a bit further to the past nine no-hitters, pitchers have a combined 8.66 ERA in their starts right after.
Give Blanco a ton of credit, but we have to temper expectations after he just threw 105 pitches in that first start of the year. He also now has to face a potent Texas Rangers offense that boasts a .379 wOBA and a low 17.4% K rate vs righties this season.
Meanwhile, the Astros offense has woken up lately after beginning the season slow. Houston put up 10 and eight runs against the Blue Jays this past week. Against right-handed pitching this year, the Astros boast a .377 wOBA, .306 BA, and a 16.8% K rate. They should put up some runs against Rangers righty Dane Dunning, who has a career 5.46 ERA against Houston. He had an up-and-down first outing of 2024 with three runs allowed over 6.1 innings, but his four walks and two homers allowed are a bit worrisome.
Expert Astros vs Rangers Predictions:
- Over 9.5 Total Runs (-120 FanDuel)
- 1st 5 Innings Over 5.5 (-120 BetMGM)
Best MLB Player Props Today, 4/7
- Mackenzie Gore Under 6.5 Strikeouts (-128 FanDuel)
- Sean Manaea Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-130 FanDuel)
- Chris Sale Under 5.5 Strikeouts (+120 FanDuel)
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.