Monday, August 28 MLB odds, props, trends: Bettors backing Braves' Matt Olson for home run, Astros' Christian Javier Under 5.5 strikeouts

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson carries a four-game hitting streak into Monday night's matchup at Colorado but has been stuck at 43 home runs since Aug. 13 – his longest drought of the year. Olson homering in the thin air of Denver and Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier's strikeouts in Boston are the two most-wagered MLB player props on the DraftKings board tonight.

Olson is second in the MLB home run chase, one behind Angels star Shohei Ohtani (44), who may or may not able to finish out the season as a hitter despite a torn UCL in his right arm that will prevent him from appearing as a pitcher for the rest of the season. Olson has gone 12 straight games without a homer, his longest such streak of the season (had an 11-game run earlier), but is batting .315 this month with seven long balls. He's still on pace for 54 home runs, which would surpass Andruw Jones' single-season franchise record of 51 set in 2005.

Olson Over 0.5 home runs (+210) at Coors Field is the most-wagered prop. He has two homers in 16 at-bats off Rockies pitching this year and is 0-for-3 career against Rockies lefty Austin Gomber (9-9, 5.48 ERA), who has been touched for 25 homers in his 26 starts in 2023.

The Astros begin an important series in Boston with Javier on the hill, and Javier Under 5.5 strikeouts (-185) is the other big prop tonight in terms of action. The right-hander is 9-2 overall with a 4.52 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 24 starts, an average of 4.8 Ks per game. Javier faced the Red Sox last Monday in Houston and struck out only three in five innings. It was his fourth straight outing of five innings or fewer and four Ks or fewer. Javier's numbers across the board are worse on the road.

Tonight's other popular MLB player props at DraftKings:

Braves' Bryce Elder Over 1.5 walks (-150) at Rockies: Elder has walked at least two batters in four straight outings.

Padres' Blake Snell Under 17.5 outs recorded (-150) at Cardinals: Snell has an excellent 2.47 ERA on the road this year and has gone at least six innings in three straight starts overall.

Cardinals' Adam Wainwright Over 5.5 hits allowed (-135) vs. Padres: At 3-9 with an 8.61 ERA and 1.99 WHIP, the 41-year-old Wainwright might be the worst pitcher in the majors. He has allowed at least six hits in six of his past seven.

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