MLB Today’s Best Bets for 05/18: Home Run Picks & Top Player Props

It’s a hefty 14-game slate on the diamond to start the new week Monday, starting at 6:40 pm ET when the Braves open an early week set with the Marlins down in South Beach. The schedule gives plenty of opportunities to find the best MLB bets today, including the top home run props. After looking over the slate, we’ve identified our favorite plays to bolster your bankroll. Without further ado, let’s get to the best options on the board for Monday, May 18.

Best MLB Bets Today: Player Props for May 18

Bryan Woo, Mariners Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+120, Fanatics)

Woo fanned nine in his first start of the year and then hit a wall. He had six straight starts where he fanned six or less. In four of those starts, he failed to strike out more than three hitters. Woo is back on track lately as he fanned nine in six innings against Atlanta May 6 and nine more over six frames at Houston May 12. The White Sox took two of three in the Crosstown Classic from the Cubs but they strike out at the fifth-highest rate in baseball. With Woo pitching well and the way that T-Mobile Park tends to favor pitchers, look for this to cash.

Jake McCarthy, Rockies Over 1.5 Total Bases (+177, DraftKings)

Normally you think about the Rockies and go with props against them but this is one of those compelling cases to go contrarian. Colorado is at home to open a set and while MacKenzie Gore comes off a stellar outing his last time out, he struggled against current Rockies. In no case is that more prevalent that with McCarthy. The Rockies’ outfielder is a perfect six for six against Gore, including a triple, in his career. For the season, McCarthy is hitting .300 with two homers and 18 RBI. He had back-to-back two-hit games over the weekend. Look for him to stay hot here.

Junior Caminero, Rays Over 1.5 Total Bases (+115, Fanatics)

We had Caminero in this spot Sunday and he delivered, going one for two with a pair of walks. It just happened that his lone hit left the yard, making it an easy winner. Caminero cleared this mark on both Saturday and Sunday so he shoots for three in a row here. He faces Taylor Rogers, who has struggled to a 2-4 mark with a 5.77 ERA on the season. Caminero is two of five in his career against Rogers. With at least one hit in six of his last seven games, Caminero gets it done again to fatten your wallet.

Home Run Picks Today:

Juan Soto, Mets (Fanatics, +250)/conversion-link] Soto homered Thursday and Friday, bumping him to six homers on the season. You know there is plenty of pop in his bat and with the temperatures rising, the power game is on the horizon. What better team to do some damage against than one of his former clubs in the Nationals? Jake Irvin allowed six homers over 42.2 innings of work this year. Last season, he surrendered a league-high 38 long balls over 180 innings. Soto is three of nine in his career with a double and a homer against Irvin. He hits well at Nationals Park and it would be no surprise for that trend to continue here. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (+410, Fanatics)

Witt Jr. has a .303 average with 12 doubles, a triple and 13 steals on the year. His power hasn’t hit peak form yet as he has seven homers on the year. There is good news though as four of those long balls came in the last 10 games.  Witt Jr. has 29 total bases in his last 10 games, recording at least two in seven of those contests. Sonny Gray hasn’t gone deep in games, averaging less than five innings an outing in his seven starts this season. With winds blowing out at a steep clip toward left field, warm temperatures and a hot bat, this is a prime chance for Witt Jr. to add to his long ball total.