It is time to find a bet that we can tuck ourselves into bed and enjoy. There is no better place to back a hitter than at a minor league ballpark in Sacramento, where the Athletics look to get a win back after losing to the Rays on Monday night.
Tonight should be the perfect night for a certain Athletic to feast at the plate. With temperatures in the upper 80s and wind blowing out, we are all over Brent Rooker's bases prop.
Rooker has been tracking the ball well since Saturday, recording 10 bases in his last 13 at-bats. Normally, I do not chase guys who are this hot over a short stretch. However, prior to Saturday, Rooker had only nine bases in 28 at-bats over a seven-game span. This looks like the Athletics' stud getting back into a groove.
He holds an elite rating in both of Batters-Box's categories. In his last 60 plate appearances at home, he owns a .296 batting average, .391 wOBA, and .913 OPS.
Baz vs. Rooker
On the mound for the Rays tonight is Shane Baz, who carries a poorly rated matchup wOBA and ISO on Batters-Box. Baz, like many Rays pitchers, has been inconsistent. In his last 90 hitters faced on the road, opponents have a .408 xBA, .667 xSLG, and .313 xwOBA. Right-handed hitters are batting .247 with an OBP of .458 and a .778 OPS.
The 26-year-old has struggled at home in Tampa, where the Rays also play in a minor league field. My thought is he may struggle again in a similar environment and weather conditions, which favor hitters.
Given how well Rooker has performed at home this season and over the past few days, this is a strong spot to back the Athletics slugger.
Best Bet: Brent Rooker Over 1.5 Total Bases (-110) odds via BetOnline
More Baseball – August 12
Nationals vs. Royals: First Five Props — Breaking down pitching matchups and where the early-game value lies.
Cubs vs. Blue Jays: First Five Team Totals — Why the Blue Jays bats could get going early.
Rockies vs. Cardinals: Total Base Props— Key player trends and total bases projections to watch closely.
