Best MLB prop bets today (Trust MacKenzie Gore, fade Jack Flaherty)

There is a ton of afternoon baseball on Wednesday, a nice treat for sports fans before the NBA Play-In Tournament dominates tonight’s action.

I have a few prop bets that I love for today’s Major League Baseball slate, focusing mainly on pitching matchups.

Here are the three plays for April 12:

Best MLB prop bets today

• MacKenzie Gore OVER 4.5 Strikeouts
• Jack Flaherty OVER 2.5 Walks Allowed
• Chicago Cubs-Seattle Mariners First Five Innings UNDER 6

MacKenzie Gore OVER 4.5 Strikeouts

MacKenzie Gore has looked great in his first two starts for the Washington Nationals this season, punching out six hitters in each game.

Gore has also worked into the sixth inning in both matchups, giving him a solid floor against a Los Angeles Angels team that averages 8.55 strikeouts per game this season (13th in MLB).

Last season, Gore struck out 72 batters in 70 innings (9.3 K’s per nine innings). I think he’s a little undervalued here given his hot start to the season.

Jack Flaherty OVER 2.5 Walks Allowed

Jack Flaherty has struggled with his control so far this season, walking 13 batters in two starts.

He’s allowed at least six walks in each game, and I don’t think his control issues completely flip in his third start of the season against Colorado.

The Colorado Rockies are just 29th in the league in walks per game (2.25), but there’s some value on this prop at plus money given Flaherty’s struggles this season.

Chicago Cubs-Seattle Mariners First Five Innings UNDER 6

I am really surprised to see this total all the way up at six given how well Marcus Stroman has pitched for the Chicago Cubs so far this season.

Stroman has allowed just five hits and no runs in 12 innings of work in his first two starts, yet oddsmakers seem to think we’ll get a high-scoring affair early in this game.

Logan Gilbert hasn’t been as good as Stroman, but he’s allowed just four runs on 10 hits in 10 innings of work in 2023.

Gilbert lasted just four innings in his last outing, but he doesn’t have to be lights out with a total up at 6 for the first five innings. I’ll gladly take the UNDER.

—

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.