With the start of the 2024 MLB season right around the corner it’s time to start thinking about season long props. There are some fantastic players in the league with props for home runs, hits, RBIs and others. No disrespect to Ronald Acuna Jr., but there is no player hotter than Shohei Ohtani, who did all he could to help the Los Angeles Angels but still failed to reach the postseason. So, after two MVP awards and a Rookie of the Year honor, Ohtani took the big money offered up by the Dodgers and moved a few miles north. For the first time in his seven-year career, Ohtani will play as a National Leaguer.
Since teams already play interleague matchups the shift to the NL shouldn’t be a stumbling block. And for the first time Ohtani isn’t the main target meaning he should get more opportunities to showcase his talents. The AL MVP winner in two of the previous three seasons, you can find Othani as high as 10/1 to win the NL MVP in his first season in the senior circuit. That’s probably not a good bet since Ohtani will have a hard time being the MVP on his own team. Instead we’ll look at some individual numbers.
2024 MLB Betting Lines
2024 Regular Season Home Runs
Over 38.5 (-126)
Under 38.5 (-104)
During his first MVP season Ohtani smashed a career-best 46 dingers and had 44 last year to claim the ultimate prize. In 2024 Ohtani will focus solely on offense since he elected not to pitch following elbow surgery. The issue didn’t appear to have an effect on his swing last season with Ohtani leading the AL with his 44 homers in only 135 games. He also topped the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases. What makes those numbers more surprising is that for a majority of the season Ohtani was the main threat in the Angels lineup with Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon missing a good chunk of games due to injury.
Surrounded by guys like Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy, it’ll be hard for opposing pitchers to work around Ohtani. And with more good looks at the dish you almost expect the numbers to at least be identical to last season. The Dodgers aren’t paying him a boat load of money to do less. Dodger Stadium isn’t considered a hitters park, probably because LA has always had talented arms limiting what visitors do. Though Ohtani played in just 135 games a season ago he was able to belt 44 homers and over the past three years he averaged 41 homers. As long as he remains healthy, and that’s always a concern for every player, I can see Ohtani belting at least 39 homers.
Prop Pick: OVER 38.5
2024 Regular Season Stolen Bases
Over 18.5 ( +108 )
Under 18.5 (-127)
Because of his raw power and the success he enjoyed as a pitcher when he took the mound, it’s easy to overlook the exploits of Ohtani as a base runner. He swiped 20 bags last year and also had 26 steals during the 2021 season. In between he had 11 steals. So it would seem like 19 stolen bases are well within his range, and they are, for the same reasons listed under the home run prop.
But, and there’s always a but, don’t go betting the OVER just yet. The Dodgers aren’t a base stealing team playing situational baseball under Dave Roberts. And I don’t believe Ohtani will have the green light on the base paths since his success rate hasn’t been the best. In 2021 he was caught stealing 10 times, the most of any player in the league, and he attempted to steal just 36 times. The Dodgers are strong offensively and don’t hurt themselves by running out of innings, and Ohtani will be kept in check so as not to hurt the club.
Prop Pick: UNDER 18.5
These are just a few of the season props on the board for Ohtani. You also have the NL MVP award as an option and under the home run umbrella you can wager on him, or any other player, to lead the majors in homers. Ohtani finished 10 dingers behind Matt Olson for the MLB lead last season with two other players ahead of him.
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