Best MLB Prop Bets Today | MLB Player Props August 21

Julio Rodriguez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-110 at DraftKings)

Not surprisingly, a talented hitter like Rodriguez is in the midst of a hot streak right now. On August 12, he was hitting .256, and today he’s hitting .278. That’s a massive shift this last in the season. It’s the kind of thing that requires 22 hits in an eight-game span. Obviously, Rodriguez has an eight-game hitting streak, including five games with multiple hits during that span. 

There is obviously good value in betting on Rodriguez to continue that hit streak. Even if he gets only one hit, Rodriguez always has a chance to collect multiple bases on that one hit. He’ll have a favorable matchup on Monday against Touki Toussaint and the White Sox bullpen. Despite being 0 for 2 in his career against Toussaint, Rodriguez should still have an edge over a pitcher who has a 4.47 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP on the season. Toussaint is the type of pitcher we’d expect Rodriguez to feast on given the form he’s in right now.

Brandon Nimmo Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105 at DraftKings)

Nimmo has found one of those grooves, so getting multiple bases on Monday with plus odds is a no-brainer. The Braves are sending youngster Allan Winans to the mound to face Nimmo and the Mets on Monday. While Winans pitched seven scoreless innings against the Mets earlier this month, Nimmo didn’t play in that game. He and the rest of the Mets should be motivated to turn the tables on the young pitcher, especially with the Mets averaging 6.6 runs per game over their last eight games.

Obviously, Nimmo has been a part of that recent uptick. Despite recently having his 10-game hitting streak snapped, Nimmo has a hit in 11 of his last 12 games. During that stretch, he has six multi-hit games, all of which have come in his last nine games. Nimmo also has three home runs and two doubles in those nine games. As a leadoff hitter, Nimmo almost always gets at least five plate appearances, increasing the chances of collecting multiple hits or getting an extra-base hit, making him an excellent value pick on Monday.

James Paxton Over 5.5 Hits (-125 at DraftKings), Under 5.5 Strikeouts (-125 at DraftKings)

Paxton is a good candidate to fade on Monday against a potent Houston lineup that has performed well against lefties this year. Likewise, Paxton has been a little erratic lately. He’s handled the Royals and Nationals in his last two starts. But without a lot of easy outs in Houston’s lineup, he’s bound to get into a little bit of trouble, even if he’s able to pitch his way out of that trouble.

In his last four starts, Paxton has given up at least six hits three times. That includes his 5.1 scoreless innings against the Royals. Paxton isn’t the type of pitcher to fold and walk a lot of hitters, making the Astros a team that can collect a lot of hits against him. Meanwhile, Paxton’s high-strikeouts games this season have come against subpar offensive teams, which doesn’t describe Houston. Paxton has gone over 5.5 strikeouts just twice in his last seven starts. He figures to have a hard time surpassing that total against the Astros.

Christian Javier Under 15.5 Outs Recorded (-155 at DraftKings), Under 5.5 Strikeouts (-115 at DraftKings), Over 2.5 ER (-105 at DraftKings)

There are multiple prop bets to consider as Javier takes on the Red Sox on Monday, and all of them involve him having a subpar performance. For starters, the Red Sox are coming off a weekend sweep of the Yankees, so their confidence is high. They’ve also scored at least five runs in seven of their last nine games and at least seven runs in three of their last four games. 

That means Javier could have his hands full with a potent lineup.

Meanwhile, Javier has failed to pitch beyond the fifth inning in three straight starts. He hasn’t even completed the fifth inning in two of those starts. Going back further, he’s recorded more than 15 outs just twice in his last nine appearances. A short outing also means fewer chances to record strikeouts. He’s gone over five strikeouts just twice in his last 15 appearances, so the strikeouts just aren’t coming for him this year. Finally, Javier has allowed more than 2.5 earned runs in eight of his last 11 starts. Against a hot Boston lineup, there’s an excellent chance that trend continues.

Lucas Giolito Over 2.5 ER (+105 at DraftKings), Over 4.5 Hits (-190 at DraftKings)

Unfortunately for the Angels, being a buyer at the trade deadline has backfired. They have faded, making Monday a good opportunity to fade Giolito, who has struggled since being traded to LA. In his four starts with the Halos, Giolito’s ERA has moved from 3.79 to 4.44, which is a huge leap in a short period of time this last in the season.

He’s allowed at least three earned runs in all four of his starts with the Angels. With Giolito getting plus odds to do the same on Monday, it’d be foolish not to stick with this trend. Even if the Reds have struggled lately, they have the young talent to take advantage of a struggling pitcher who might be lacking confidence. Meanwhile, we were prepared to take over 5.5 hits on Giolito, so the line at 4.5 is even better. He has allowed at least six hits in five of his last six starts, doing so even in starts that he’s only lasted five innings or less. Giolito isn’t missing enough bats right now, making him vulnerable to another poor showing against the Reds on Monday.

See different MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities!