Key Points
- Unlikely Athletics' Slugger Leads MLB With 8 Home Runs
- Ohtani Shares National League Lead With 6 Home Runs
- Home Runs are up 4 Percent Compared to Same Time in 2024 MLB Season
It may seem like home runs are soaring out of MLB stadiums at a record pace. But it's not true. The frequency of home runs per game is about 4 percent higher than it was a year ago.
That may be due to warmer than normal weather on the west coast and south. It may be due to the torpedo bats (not likely), or it juts may be a statistical anomaly.
(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Last week we connected on four of our Best Bets to Hit a Home Run. This week we select odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Major League Baseball features 10 games today and this evening, from "The Heartbeat of the Midwest" (Chicago), to "The City of Brotherly Love" (Philadelphia), to "Motown" (Detroit), to the farthest western game on Thursday in Dallas (home of the Texas Rangers).
As always, our betting picks are based on $100 wagers. If your unit is smaller, adjust accordingly. Happy Homer Thursday, baseball fans.
Lock in MLB Picks Today at Legendz ⚾️
- Social Sportsbook + Slots
- Hundreds of Vegas-style slots
- Live dealer casino games
Sign up for 3 SC + 500 Gold Coins FREE and 50% extra on your First Purchase!
Open Legendz Casino
MLB Home Run Leaders
A quick glance at the leaders in home runs through Wednesday, April 16:
- Tyler Soderstrom, A's ... 8 HR
- Aaron Judge, Yankees ... 7
- Cal Raleigh, Mariners ... 7
- Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks ... 6
- Jazz Chisholm, Yankees ... 6
- Tommy Edman, Dodgers ... 6
- Wilmer Flores, Giants ... 6
- Matt Mervis, Marlins ... 6
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers ... 6
- Kyle Schwarber, Phillies ... 6
- Fernando Tatis Jr. Padres ... 6
- Spencer Torkelson, Tigers ... 6
- Mike Trout, Angels ... 6
- James Wood, Nationals ... 6
If you don't know James Wood yet, get familiar. The tall, athletic outfielder is a coming-fast star for the Nats. He's hit for power everywhere he's played in the Washington farm system.
This is his first full season in the National League
Torkelson is the most unlikely name on the home run leaderboard. Last season, "Tork" was sent to the minor leagues after struggling in The Show.
He's apparently worked on his swing, and found his groove. So far in 2025, the Detroit first baseman has shown improvement on pitches inside in the strike zone.
His quick bat results in pull field power
According to DraftKings, Aaron Judge is priced as the most likely to be MLB's home run leader, at -155. Next in line are Shohei Ohtani (+1000), and Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber at +1400 each.
That means you can still get nice odds and possible winnings for the season HR leader
A winning $100 bet on Alonso for example, will return $1,400 if "The Polar Bear" leads baseball in circuit blows in 2025.
Best Picks to Hit a Home Run Tonight
Paul Goldschmidt, Yanks (+450)
Goldie has one home run so far in his Yankee tenure. He has the ability to hit right or left-handed pitching, so his matchup tonight against Taj Bradley of the Rays should not be difficult.
BET:
$100 to Hit a HR at +450
Aaron Judge, Yanks (+180)
On Wednesday, Aaron Judge hit a go-ahead home run on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium against the Royals.
That blast proved to be the game-winner in a contest where Judge produced three hits. Judge now has 7 homers, on pace for 63.
BET:
$100 to Hit a HR at +180 for a possible $180 win
James Wood, Nats (+800)
At 6'7 with a long, beautiful swing, Wood looks a lot like a mirror image of Frank Thomas at the dish.
He won't be as great as the "Big Hurt," but it's quite possible Wood could become a "Big Ouch" or something like that.
He has an OPS over 900 in this young season for the Nats. The +800 odds for a Wood homer is a bargain.
BET:
$100 to Hit a HR at +800
Nick Castellanos, Phillies (+650)
Ol Nicky Two-Bags is off to his best start in his Philly years. Four years ago, Castellanis finished 12th in National League MVP voting.
He's still a formidable threat with a piece of lumber in his hand. He has three jacks so far in 2025.
BET:
$100 to Hit a HR at +650
Graham Pauley, Marlins (+1300)
Pauley is the Marlins third baseman. And since Miami is most likely not going to make the playoffs this season, he will labor in anonymity in southern Florida.
Pauley is a 24-year old who has gradually improved at the plate in his professional career.
In 2023 he hit 23 home runs for three different teams in the Padres' farm system
He has a swing that should translate into 20-25 HR pop at this level. So far he has zero home runs for Miami.
BET:
$100 to Hit a HR at +1300 for a possible $1,300 win
Where to Watch MLB Games on Thursday, April 17
- Arizona Diamondbacks @ Miami Marlins, 12:10 PM ET: ARID, FDSNFL
- Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 12:35 PM ET: MASN, SNP
- Seattle Mariners @ Cincinnati Reds, 12:40 PM ET: RSNW, FDSNOH
- Athletics @ Chicago White Sox, 2:10 PM ET: NBCSCA, CHSN
- San Francisco Giants @ Philadelphia Phillies, 4:05 PM ET: NBCSBA, NBCSP+
- Cleveland Guardians @ Baltimore Orioles, 6:35 PM ET: CLEG, MASN
- Kansas City Royals @ Detroit Tigers, 6:40 PM ET: FDSNKC, FDSNDTX, FS1
- New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays, 7:05 PM ET: Amazon PV, FDSNFL
- St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets, 7:10 PM ET: FDSNMW, SNY
- Los Angeles Angels @ Texas Rangers, 8:05 PM ET: FDSNW, RSN
BALLISLIFE.COM
