Orioles vs Red Sox Player Props & Picks for Opening Day

Prop #1: Adley Rutschman OVER 0.5 Home Runs (+700)

The Orioles made significant gains last season, recording 83 victories during their first winning campaign since 2016, and could exceed expectations in the MLB win totals, where they are listed at just 76.5. Adley Rutschman played an important role in the club’s breakthrough after the rookie took over starting catcher duties in the second half of the campaign.

Now set to see his first-ever Opening Day action, Rutschman travels north with the club after continuing to shine in Grapefruit League action. The 25-year-old earned himself a spot among the club’s statistical leaders while compiling a .310 batting average, and continued to show flashes of his power at the plate with four home runs and nine RBI.

A font of infectious enthusiasm since arriving in the big leagues, Rutschman could hardly contain himself when asked about his thoughts on starting on Opening Day. “This is going to be cool, it’s going to be really cool”, said the 2019 first-round draft pick. And while long balls may come at a premium on what is expected to be a chilly Thursday afternoon clash featuring a pair of ace hurlers, Rutschman’s spring performance certainly make him worthy of a +700 value bet to open his first full MLB campaign by going yard at least once.

Prop #2: Adam Frazier UNDER 0.5 Hits (+155)

Signed in the offseason to a one-year contract, Adam Frazier will be expected to bring veteran depth to second base following the departure of Rougned Odor during the offseason. With Ramon Urias suffering from a thumb injury, Frazier is poised to make his O’s debut at Fenway Park when MLB lineups are decided on Thursday.

However, the 31-year-old has yet to find his stroke with his new club. After closing out last season with a steady October performance, Frazier struggled in Grapefruit league action, mustering just eight hits in 17 game appearances and closing out the spring with a dismal .186 average. Accordingly, look for Frazier’s struggles to continue under chilly conditions on Thursday, and to pay out as a +155 bit to go hitless.

Prop #3: Corey Kluber UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-115)

With Chris Sale injured, veteran Corey Kluber will make his Red Sox debut as the club’s Opening Day starter on Thursday afternoon. Kluber joins his fourth club in as many seasons after managing to avoid major injury last year while compiling a 10-10 record with Tampa Bay. Once a commanding presence in the AL Cy Young odds, the 36-year-old has seen his strikeout rate dip after enduring injury-plagued campaigns in 2020 in 2021.

Kluber showed flashes of his past greatness this spring, striking out 15 batters in 16.2 innings of work while compiling a 2-2 record. However, Kluber struggled at times in his final Grapefruit League start, a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay. And with slow starts to the season emerging as a theme in recent years, expect the veteran hurler to need some time to settle into his new home in Boston, and toss UNDER 4.5 strikeouts in Thursday’s contest.