After an incredible start to his MLB career, Shota Imanaga has struggled with his consistency over the last couple of months. That said, he has the perfect environment today to put together a great performance and my MLB player props expect the Cubs southpaw to do just that.
He's not the only lefty hurler I'm targeting today, either.
See what else I'm betting with my MLB props for Tuesday, August 6.
MLB props for August 6
- Shota Imanaga Under 1.5 earned runs (+130 at DraftKings)
- Juan Soto Over 1.5 total bases (+110 at bet365)
- Clayton Kershaw Under 15.5 outs (-120 at BetMGM)
Today’s best MLB props
Prop bet #1: Shota Imanaga Under 1.5 earned runs
In his first nine starts of the year, Shota Imanaga had a sizzling 0.84 ERA but that number has surged to 5.03 in his last 11 outings. However, even during that recent cold stretch, he allowed fewer than 1.5 earned runs in five of 11.
Today, Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs host the Minnesota Twins. The Twins have an MLB-best OPS of .799 at home but that number dips to .716 on the road. They should have major issues hitting in this away contest with the wind at Wrigley Field projected to blow toward the infield at more than 27 mph.
Imanaga's biggest weakness has been his tendency to allow fly balls, sitting in the bottom 10th percentile in ground-ball rate. However, the fly balls he gives up today will get swallowed up by the wind at Wrigley. With the O/U for the full game opening at just 6, the u1.5 earned runs for Imanaga at +130 makes plenty of sense.
Prop bet #2: Juan Soto Over 1.5 total bases
I've been consistently betting the Over on Juan Soto's "total bases" or "hits, runs, and RBI" props for the last few months and it's been paying off — especially when he's at home and has the platoon advantage.
The four-time Silver Slugger is fourth in the majors in slugging percentage .598 and his expected slugging percentage is even higher at an incredible .674. His overall slugging percentage vs. righties is a robust .611, which will bode well today when the Los Angeles Angels send rookie right-hander Davis Daniel to the mound. Daniel has a 4.91 ERA through four starts with an xBA of .282.
Soto has been red-hot, slashing .340/.438/.709 over his last 25 games and I expect that sizzling play to continue tonight. This is a five-star prop play for our MLB picks, according to THE BAT X, which is projecting 2.1 total bases for the New York Yankees superstar.
Prop bet #3: Clayton Kershaw Under 15.5 outs
The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw back to the rotation at the end of July but he's looked like a shell of his former self. The 36-year-old underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder last November and made his season debut on July 25, pitching four innings and allowing a pair of runs. He looked worse in his second start last Wednesday, surrendering seven runs (three earned) before getting the hook midway through the fourth.
The Dodgers organization is privately concerned about Kershaw and how he’s looked since coming off the injured list and has every reason to be. The veteran has a strikeout rate of just 14.6% this year, far lower than last year's 26.2% and his opponent xBA of .299 is significantly worse than his career-worst xBA of .237 back in 2018.
He also has a tough matchup today against a Philadelphia Phillies lineup that leads the majors with a .790 OPS against southpaws. Even if Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gives Kershaw a slightly longer leash tonight, don't expect him to pitch more than five innings.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Today’s MLB games
Here is the schedule and MLB odds for today’s matchups:
