MLB Best Player Props March 31: Don't Overlook White Sox Second Baseman Elvis Andrus
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 8:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston
Cristian Javier Isn't So Scary
It might seem scary to go against Astros' starter Cristian Javier after the season he had last year.
But, if at all, people are afraid of Javier because they remember what he achieved most recently.
For example, he did enjoy a sick end to his regular season in which he allowed zero runs in his final four starts.
The public perception surrounding Javier is misguided at the moment, though, because we are not approaching the end of the regular season.
Javier's late-season form is what makes him look intimidating, but we are only in the beginning of the season right now.
Last year, Javier suffered a spotty start to his season, with some of his first starts going rather poorly.
All of this is to say that Javier is far from infallible.
But the fact that he is a good pitcher has created value for some White Sox hitter props that we should look to take advantage of.
A lot of the props released by sportsbooks have high juice attached to them, and we should try to avoid that level of financial risk.
Elvis Andrus Is Back
The White Sox player whom I wish to target is second baseman Elvis Andrus.
After slogging through a miserable season in Texas and two bad seasons in Oakland, he enjoyed a rejuvenation as a member of the White Sox.
Last season for the White Sox, he hit .271 and slugged .464.
Andrus vs. Javier
Tonight, Andrus is particularly likable because of his personal track record against Houston's starter.
In his career, Andrus is 4-for-12 with three doubles and a home run with Javier on the mound.
Despite the fact that Javier is someone who strikes out a lot of batters, he is statistically unlikely to strike out Andrus.
Andrus evidently is comfortable against Javier's pitching repertoire, as his numbers against Javier amount to a .333 BA and .833 slugging rate.
How to Take Advantage
We should take advantage of Andrus' strong track record against Javier by investing in the following bet: Elvis Andrus over/under 0.5 hits.
This bet means that we need to decide whether Andrus will have at least one hit.
If we think that he will, then we need to bet the "over."
Conversely, if we think that he will not, then we need to bet the "under."
Andrus' uniquely strong track record against Javier should lead us to include the Andrus over 0.5 hits in our MLB picks.
Best Bet: Elvis Andrus over 0.5 hits at -122 with BetOnline
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 9:40 p.m. ET at Petco Park in San Diego
Who Will Win?
For my favorite prop bet for this game, we need to rely on there being a clear winner.
San Diego is primed to bounce back from its Opening Day loss yesterday.
The Rockies were fortunate yesterday to face a left-handed starter -- last year, Colorado was easily at its best hitting-wise when facing left-handed pitchers -- whom they finally figured out after a few innings.
Tonight, though, the starting pitching matchup is not in Colorado's favor, so the overall better team tonight will have the resources to flex its muscles.
Starting Pitcher Matchup
Nick Martinez is starting for San Diego tonight.
It is evident from his Spring Training that he is warmed up and ready to carry a full load for his team.
Martinez is promising because of his strong track record at home against the Rockies.
When they visited Petco Park last year, the Rockies scored one run in 9.1 innings with Martinez on the mound.
Conversely, Kyle Freeland's worst starts came when he faced the Padres.
San Diego's Jake Cronenworth
Among Padre batters, there is value in second baseman Jake Cronenworth, who is flying under the radar next to all the big names who San Diego has stocked its lineup with.
Cronenworth's outlook is uniquely strong tonight because, in 21 at-bats with Freeland on the mound, he enjoys a .333 BA and .524 slugging rate.
Betting Recommendation
All we need from Cronenworth is one hit, and then we can get the Padres to win at plus money.
I find that this type of prop bet offers incredible value, as it's monumentally better than betting the Padres ML at -187.
So, I recommend investing in this bet: Jake Cronenworth "To have 1+ Hits and SD To win."
To be clear, for this bet to hit the Padres need to win and Cronenworth needs to get at least one hit.
Best Bet: Jake Cronenworth to have 1+ hits and SD to win at +112 with BetOnline
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 8:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston
Cristian Javier Isn't So Scary
It might seem scary to go against Astros' starter Cristian Javier after the season he had last year.
But, if at all, people are afraid of Javier because they remember what he achieved most recently.
For example, he did enjoy a sick end to his regular season in which he allowed zero runs in his final four starts.
The public perception surrounding Javier is misguided at the moment, though, because we are not approaching the end of the regular season.
Javier's late-season form is what makes him look intimidating, but we are only in the beginning of the season right now.
Last year, Javier suffered a spotty start to his season, with some of his first starts going rather poorly.
All of this is to say that Javier is far from infallible.
But the fact that he is a good pitcher has created value for some White Sox hitter props that we should look to take advantage of.
A lot of the props released by sportsbooks have high juice attached to them, and we should try to avoid that level of financial risk.
Elvis Andrus Is Back
The White Sox player whom I wish to target is second baseman Elvis Andrus.
After slogging through a miserable season in Texas and two bad seasons in Oakland, he enjoyed a rejuvenation as a member of the White Sox.
Last season for the White Sox, he hit .271 and slugged .464.
Andrus vs. Javier
Tonight, Andrus is particularly likable because of his personal track record against Houston's starter.
In his career, Andrus is 4-for-12 with three doubles and a home run with Javier on the mound.
Despite the fact that Javier is someone who strikes out a lot of batters, he is statistically unlikely to strike out Andrus.
Andrus evidently is comfortable against Javier's pitching repertoire, as his numbers against Javier amount to a .333 BA and .833 slugging rate.
How to Take Advantage
We should take advantage of Andrus' strong track record against Javier by investing in the following bet: Elvis Andrus over/under 0.5 hits.
This bet means that we need to decide whether Andrus will have at least one hit.
If we think that he will, then we need to bet the "over."
Conversely, if we think that he will not, then we need to bet the "under."
Andrus' uniquely strong track record against Javier should lead us to include the Andrus over 0.5 hits in our MLB picks.
Best Bet: Elvis Andrus over 0.5 hits at -122 with BetOnline
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 9:40 p.m. ET at Petco Park in San Diego
Who Will Win?
For my favorite prop bet for this game, we need to rely on there being a clear winner.
San Diego is primed to bounce back from its Opening Day loss yesterday.
The Rockies were fortunate yesterday to face a left-handed starter -- last year, Colorado was easily at its best hitting-wise when facing left-handed pitchers -- whom they finally figured out after a few innings.
Tonight, though, the starting pitching matchup is not in Colorado's favor, so the overall better team tonight will have the resources to flex its muscles.
Starting Pitcher Matchup
Nick Martinez is starting for San Diego tonight.
It is evident from his Spring Training that he is warmed up and ready to carry a full load for his team.
Martinez is promising because of his strong track record at home against the Rockies.
When they visited Petco Park last year, the Rockies scored one run in 9.1 innings with Martinez on the mound.
Conversely, Kyle Freeland's worst starts came when he faced the Padres.
San Diego's Jake Cronenworth
Among Padre batters, there is value in second baseman Jake Cronenworth, who is flying under the radar next to all the big names who San Diego has stocked its lineup with.
Cronenworth's outlook is uniquely strong tonight because, in 21 at-bats with Freeland on the mound, he enjoys a .333 BA and .524 slugging rate.
Betting Recommendation
All we need from Cronenworth is one hit, and then we can get the Padres to win at plus money.
I find that this type of prop bet offers incredible value, as it's monumentally better than betting the Padres ML at -187.
So, I recommend investing in this bet: Jake Cronenworth "To have 1+ Hits and SD To win."
To be clear, for this bet to hit the Padres need to win and Cronenworth needs to get at least one hit.
Best Bet: Jake Cronenworth to have 1+ hits and SD to win at +112 with BetOnline
