MLB Home Run Props and Predictions Today: Top Player Props for Aug. 18

Written By Justin Carlucci | Published at August 18, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right fielder Jo Adell (7) bats a two run home run against Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Happy Tuesday! Today’s MLB home run props are popping off the page. I’m also fading a star pitcher in his first start back from a lengthy injury absence. Let’s get into my favorite MLB player props for Aug. 18!

MLB Home Run Props Today for Aug. 18

Jo Adell to hit a home run at +513 on DraftKings Sportsbook is my favorite MLB home run prop today. The Cleveland Guardians host the San Francisco Giants, and Adell draws a tremendous matchup against left-hander Carson Whisenhunt.

Whisenhunt owns an ugly 6.11 ERA and has had trouble limiting power in his limited Major League sample. Right-handed hitters own an expected ISO north of .200 against him, and he has allowed a .523 slugging percentage to righties. He has also struggled to keep the baseball on the ground or avoid hard contact.

That is a dangerous profile against Adell. Dating back to the beginning of 2025, Adell owns a .298 expected ISO against left-handed pitching. He has already hit 18 homers this season, and these MLB odds are simply too good to ignore.

Temperatures in Cleveland should sit in the mid-80s, creating a hitting environment that can give fly balls a little extra carry. At better than 5/1, I see Adell as one of the best values on the slate. Before betting a long shot like Adell, it's always worth comparing prices across different sports betting apps. I'll back him on DraftKings.

Best Bet: Jo Adell to Hit a Home Run DraftKings, +513

MLB Home Run Predictions: Hunter Goodman

Next, we’ll head to Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies host Eric Lauer and the Los Angeles Dodgers at 8:40 p.m. ET. This pick is contingent on Hunter Goodman being in the lineup after he was scratched Monday with shoulder inflammation.

If Goodman plays, he is the obvious Colorado home run candidate. He has been a machine this season, launching 34 homers while posting a slugging percentage above .500 against both left- and right-handed pitching.

Lauer has been miserable this year. He ranks in the fifth percentile in ground-ball rate and ninth percentile in barrel rate allowed, according to Baseball Savant. Right-handed hitters have already tagged him for 16 home runs.

Temperatures in Denver should reach the mid-to-high 80s, and late-summer conditions in Colorado are usually excellent for homer hunting.

If Goodman is active, I’ll be targeting him to go deep. He's one of the best hitters in baseball and is typically tightly priced, so it might be beneficial to shop around on various trusted betting sites before first pitch.

Best Bet: Hunter Goodman to Hit a Home Run DraftKings

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MLB Player Props Today: Carlos Rodon

For my MLB strikeout prop today, I’m taking Carlos Rodon under 5.5 strikeouts against the Baltimore Orioles.

This is mostly a workload play. Rodon will make his first MLB start since June 28, and the Yankees should have a cautious plan in place for his return. He threw 58 pitches during his most recent rehab appearance, so it is hard to envision New York letting him reach a normal workload immediately.

The Yankees also had Monday off, meaning Aaron Boone has a rested bullpen available. New York can make a quick move if Rodon runs into trouble or simply reaches a pre-set pitch count.

Max Fried hitting the injured list only makes Rodon more important, but that does not mean the Yankees will push him too hard in his first outing back. This is a favorable matchup on paper, but the limited leash is more important to me.

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Best Bet: Carlos Rodon Under 5.5 Strikeouts DraftKings, -150

Good luck, and let’s cash some MLB best bets today!