A surprisingly good start to the season has the Angels above .500 with a 9-8 record. Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Los Angeles is an ability to win without elite production from Mike Trout. The superstar has notched one hit all week; will that change tonight against the Rangers?
Texas enters as favorites (-155) vs. Los Angeles on Friday, with the over/under set at 9.5 runs. Before the start of tonight’s American League West showdown, here’s my favorite Mike Trout player prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Mike Trout O 1.5 bases (-110)
As weird as this might sound, Trout has looked mortal over the past three weeks. Despite crushing six homers, the three-time MVP has posted a paltry .190/.293/.492 slash line. The power is nice to see, but fans have come to expect more from the future Hall of Famer.
A deeper dive into Trout’s numbers offer hope that better days are ahead. Per Baseball Savant, the outfielder’s expected slugging percentage of .631 ranks inside the 95th percentile. In addition, his expected batting average (.269) and expected weighted on-base average (.403) all suggest bad luck rather than a decline in skill. Still, it’s difficult to feel confident in the veteran while he undergoes a 3-for-19 slump at the plate.
If anyone can help Trout get back on track, it’s Kumar Rocker. The right-hander has coughed up ten earned runs over 11.1 innings of work (7.94 ERA). Batters have recorded a 56.8% hard hit rate vs. the 25-year-old, ranking inside the bottom 5% for all starters.
Right now, Trout doesn’t appear capable of making consistent contact. However, when the Millville Comet does connect on a pitch, the ball usually travels a long distance. That’s especially true when facing a pitcher that allows plenty of hard hits. Trout is an extra-base threat against anyone, let alone a struggling rookie.
