Best MLB Bets Today – Free (Sunday 5/21)

Welcome to a special Sunday edition of MLB Best Bets presented by FTN. Today we will focus on the Sunday afternoon matchup between the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres taking place at Petco Park. With this being my introductory article into the FTN Baseball scene, I couldn’t think of a better way to get rolling than to back one of the hottest new markets in the MLB prop department from DraftKings Sportsbook, Hits + Runs + RBIs. 

Boston Red Sox @ San Diego Padres

In the series closer, Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Padres against his former club. He enters having a roller coaster of a start to the year, but the recent trends have him flying high. Over his last three starts, the 31-year-old has tossed 19 innings only allowing 1 run and racking up 18 strikeouts. Though Wacha has pitched well lately, I will be fading him a bit with one of his former Boston comrades. 

Alex Verdugo is off to a great start in his 2023 campaign, entering Sunday averaging .357 at the plate with an .867 OPS, 5 home runs and 19 RBIs. Jarren Duran has performed his best at the plate while facing RHP, which sets him up nicely for his matchup with Wacha. Though the two are former teammates, they have faced eight times before, with Verdugo averaging .375 with a .944 OPS in those encounters. 

Alex Verdugo on road 

Alex Verdugo vs. RHP

Best Bet

Alex Verdugo Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs

(-115, DraftKings Sportsbook)

The lefty Verdugo has crushed RHP this season with a .328 average and .232 ISO. Wacha has allowed left-handed batters to average .236 at the dish and has allowed 11 XBH to them as well. Verdugo will be in the leadoff spot in lineup today which should present him multiple chances at the plate, the Red Sox lineup has been red hot, I like our chances of Verdugo getting on base and being brought home the afternoon. Verdugo has also hit all 5 of his home runs against RHP this season — a Sunday bomb at Petco could get the job done for us as well. Best of luck.