Kyle Tucker and the Chicago Cubs draw an excellent matchup on Tuesday, which is why I’m backing him in one of my three MLB prop bets.
The pregame narrative: Tucker has been everything the Cubs could ask for to this point, and his run prop looks like it’s oozing value tonight. I’m also buying the dip with Reds slugger Elly De La Cruz and hoping Jose Altuve can stay hot in Seattle.
Check out the best MLB prop bets for April 8.
MLB prop bets
Best bet: Tucker over 0.5 runs (-106)
Happy Patrick Corbin day to all who celebrate.
Corbin has been the pitching version of a meat shield for several years now, and yet he still manages to find work.
Over the past four seasons, Corbin has the highest ERA (5.71) and the highest opponent batting average (.295) in MLB.
For prop bettors, he’s been the gift that keeps on giving.
With that in mind, I felt I had to bet on somebody facing Corbin tonight in his season debut. Tucker looks like a great option, with his absurd .327/.453/.712 slash line through 13 games.
Tucker, in his first year with the Cubs, has batted in the No. 2 or 3 spot in every game and scored 14 runs.
This is a lefty-on-lefty matchup, which typically works against the hitter. But Tucker’s .847 career OPS against southpaws quells that concern.
And if he finds a way on base, there are tons of Cubs who should be able to bring him around.
Chicago’s active lineup is 52-for-148 (.351 BA) against Corbin with a .601 SLG and just a 13.8 K%, per Baseball Savant.
Key stat: Tucker has scored in eight of his past nine games, posting a 1.478 OPS in that span.
Best MLB picks
De La Cruz over 1.5 hits/runs/RBI (+100): De La Cruz hasn’t loaded up many box scores yet this season. But he’s not lacking for pop.
He ranks in the 90th percentile or better in xSLG, barrel rate, average exit velocity, and hard-hit rate.
To put it another way, his .634 xSLG is almost 200 points north of his actual slugging percentage (.442).
I view this as a buy-low spot for one of MLB’s most exciting and toolsy athletes. He’ll bat from the left side — his preferred side — tonight against little-known Giants starter, Landen Roupp.
Altuve over 0.5 runs (+145): I cashed this prop at +160 odds last night, so let’s go back to the well with Altuve against another tough pitcher.
The Astros’ leadoff man doesn’t have stellar numbers against Mariners starter Luis Castillo (3-for-13, five strikeouts), but at least there’s plenty of familiarity in this matchup.
Frankly, this bet is much more about striking at a compelling price while Altuve’s bat is hot.
He has a .357/.400/.571 slash line through 10 games, cashing this bet in six of his past seven.
Yordan Alvarez is 8-for-17 (.471) with three homers against Castillo, so if Altuve gets on, there’s at least one viable candidate to drive him in.
MLB prop picks made at 4:05 p.m. ET on 04/08/2025.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.