Home Run Heroes: Busch, Torkelson, and Olson Prepare for Crucial Showdowns
With just eight days remaining in the MLB regular season, the stakes are rising as teams gear up for the Wild Card playoff round. This weekend’s matchups could play a pivotal role in playoff seeding, making our home run picks essential for bettors. Here’s a look at the most promising home run predictions for Saturday, alongside enticing betting options available through platforms like bet365 and DraftKings.
Michael Busch Aims for the Long Ball in Cincinnati
As summer’s warmth gives way to cooler temperatures, the prime conditions for home runs have diminished. However, Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati remains a favorable venue for power hitters, ranking as the second-best ballpark for home runs in Major League Baseball, trailing only Coors Field. With temperatures hovering in the mid-80s and favorable weather, today presents a solid opportunity for hitters.
Michael Busch, with odds set at +292, is a notable contender today. Over his last three starts—excluding his pinch-hit appearance—Busch has showcased remarkable form, recording five fly balls with exit velocities exceeding 100 mph, leading the league. His impressive metrics include two balls launched at over 105 mph, coupled with a launch angle between 10 and 40 degrees.
In the past week, Busch has logged six barrels and 14 hard-hit balls, sharing the league lead in barrels while ranking third in hard hits. To add to his momentum, he faces Zack Littell, who has the second-worst home run per nine innings (HR/9) among qualified pitchers. This matchup could yield a home run for Busch, making him a player to watch.
Spencer Torkelson Looks for Back-to-Back Power
Fresh off a home run performance, Spencer Torkelson is primed to deliver another impressive outing. Like Busch, Torkelson has been on a hot streak, matching his counterpart with six barrels in the past week, complemented by 12 hard-hit balls. Moreover, he leads MLB with eight hits featuring exit velocities over 100 mph in his last three games.
While Comerica Park is not renowned for being a hitter-friendly park due to its expansive center field, it does offer opportunities for those who can pull the ball. The right and left fields are more forgiving, particularly for a left-handed hitter like Torkelson.
In the last week, Torkelson has exhibited a pull-rate of 73% while maintaining a low ground ball rate of only 20%. He will be facing left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz, against whom Torkelson has excelled this season, boasting an isolated power (ISO) of .270 versus lefties, a significant jump from his .204 ISO against right-handers. This favorable matchup could see Torkelson clearing the fence once again.
Matt Olson Joins the Power Parade
Joining Busch and Torkelson in the spotlight is Matt Olson, who continues to demonstrate his power-hitting prowess. Olson has also recorded six barrels over the last week and is tied for second in the league with 16 hard-hit balls. He leads MLB in total balls launched over his last three games, with five, and has been consistent in his power output, tallying six launched balls in his last five appearances.
Despite not hitting a home run in yesterday’s game, Olson still managed to make an impact with two hard-hit balls, showcasing launch angles of 21 and 40 degrees at exit velocities of 98.9 and 98.8 mph. While he didn’t quite connect for a homer, his performance signals that he’s still a key threat at the plate.
Olson faces Keider Montero today, a matchup that bodes well for him. Montero has allowed a home run every 16 at-bats to left-handed hitters, resulting in a concerning HR/9 of 2.24. Although Montero hasn’t pitched enough innings to qualify for league stats, this rate would rank him among the worst in the league. With this advantageous matchup, Olson is well-positioned to send another ball over the fence.
As the regular season draws to a close, keep a close eye on these sluggers. Their performances could not only impact their teams’ standings but also provide exciting opportunities for fans and bettors alike.
