MLB Best Bets Today, 4/7: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday
Welcome into the Monday slate of MLB best bets here at Fantasy Alarm on this Monday, April 7th! It was a great week of MLB picks last week and now with a new series starting today around the league we will look to keep the money flowing!
11 games in MLB today with many starting tonight and having colder temperatures so be sure to double check everything and check out my MLB predictions below.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/7
In addition to starting this season, like seasons past I am advocating that you start the season with half unit wagers on these MLB best bets as well. Every season is unique and until we get our footing into who these teams and players are this season let’s gamble smart and learn as we go!
In this MLB Best Bets Today article you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines and to game totals and on occasion some player props! Check out the rationale and if you agree with me make sure to tail and good luck!
Now, let's dive into my expert MLB Best Bets today!
- Season Record: 18-12-0
- Bankroll: +2.9 units
*Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10
Reds vs. Giants Predictions: Monday, April 7th
These two teams have not started the way I would have guessed but here we are roughly 10 days in the season with the Giants offense as a top 6 unit in MLB and the Reds can’t seem to buy runs! Things will level out I’m sure but for now let’s stick to the data we have and use it to win.
The Reds are solely relying on timely hitting and starting pitching right now and luckily for them Hunter Greene will start today. Greene has made 2 starts so far pitching 12 total innings and has allowed just 6 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 16 batters.
Impressive stuff from the righty and it should continue today as the Giants lineup holds a strikeout rate of 25.9%, the 5th highest in baseball. This will give San Francisco lineup fits as Greene is a swing and miss guy first and foremost. Give me the over on 6.5 strikeouts for Greene even with the juice.
I will add a total wager to the docket as well here with the Reds having gone under in half of their games and Logan Webb starting for the Giants. Webb has been the model of consistency for pitchers the last couple of seasons and that hasn’t changed so far this year through 2 starts allowing 4 runs over 12 innings pitched. The total of 7 is low for a reason so let’s fade the over tonight and hit the under.
- Expert Reds vs. Giants Picks:
- Cincinnati vs. San Francisco Under 7 Runs (-105 on ESPN Bet)
- Hunter Greene (CIN) Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-150 on DraftKings)
Rangers vs. Cubs Predictions: Monday, April 7th
This matchup is going to be a chilly one in the Windy City today as the weather looks to be a high of 35 degrees! That means lower scoring games historically and given that Texas is leaving the south to play this cold type of game doesn’t bode well for their hitting.
On top of the colder weather the pitchers going today aren’t too shabby either. I know the numbers for Justin Steele look subpar but it's mostly from his one start in Japan against the Dodgers inflating the numbers. Steele is a solid pitcher and we saw that with a much larger sample size last season.
On the Rangers side Nathan Eovaldi will start and from his years in Boston he knows a thing or two about pitching in cold games. He’s also been a rock for this Texas team through 2 starts allowing just 2 earned runs and 7 hits over 15 innings of work.
He also has 17 strikeouts to his resume and this Cubs lineup has some guys that will punch out. I will be taking the under in the first 5 innings in this matchup and counting myself lucky that I don’t have tickets to this chiller of a Monday matchup.
- Expert Rangers vs. Cubs Picks:
- Texas vs. Chicago Under 3.5 Runs 1st 5 Innings (-130 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/7
- New York Mets Run Line -1.5 (-130 on DraftKings)
- Arizona Diamondbacks Money Line (-120 on DraftKings)
- Bobby Witt (KC) Over 2.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (+115 on DraftKings)
Player News
Giants signed OF Cal Mitchell to a minor league contract.
It didn’t take Mitchell long to find a new home. The 26-year-old outfielder latches on with the Giants just a couple days after being cut loose by the White Sox. He was hitting .111 (3-for-27) in 10 games at the Triple-A level this season.
Mariners signed RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract.
Shaw fortifies Seattle’s relief depth at Triple-A Tacoma after failing to make the Reds’ season-opening roster in spring training. The 37-year-old journeyman righty has made a whopping 796 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2011.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was removed from Tuesday’s game against the Orioles with right flank discomfort.
We’re not licensed medical professionals, but the flank is defined as the area just below the rib cage and below the wait. The greater concern here is that it could be either an oblique or back issue, so fantasy managers should monitor his status closely in the coming days. Chisholm exhibited some discomfort during a first-inning plate appearance and was immediately lifted from the contest after a double to right field. He’s presumably day-to-day for now.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is not making progress with a throwing program.
Cora added that Yoshida, who is working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, might head back to Boston to undergo further evaluation since his throwing program is “not going well. He was expected to start playing in extended spring training games earlier this month, but hasn’t made enough progress with his throwing program for that to happen. The 31-year-old doesn’t have a path to at-bats in Boston unless he can get back into the club’s left field mix with Rafael Devers occupying the DH role. He’s in a bit of a holding pattern right now and it doesn’t seem like he’s close to making his season debut.
Padres activated 1B/2B Luis Arraez from the 7-day concussion injured list.
Arraez is back at first base and batting second on Tuesday night, as expected, after missing just over one week recovering from a concussion that he suffered during an on-field collision back on April 20.
Padres activated OF Jason Heyward from the 10-day injured list.
Heyward returns to San Diego’s lineup following a two-week absence recovering from left knee inflammation. The 35-year-old veteran outfielder’s days as a fantasy-relevant contributor are long gone, but he remains a strong fourth outfielder on a playoff contending roster.