MLB Player Props Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Game 1 of the MLB Tokyo Series
What kind of performances can we expect on Tuesday from Kyle Tucker, Tommy Edman, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Follow along as our MLB betting analyst, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite MLB prop bets for Game 1 of the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more MLB player props, at ScoresAndOdds.
Major League Baseball is BACK! On Tuesday, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will play the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo as part of a 2-game international series to begin the 2025 season. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the bump for the Dodgers, with Shota Imanaga opposing him for the Cubs.
As always, be sure to monitor our MLB starting lineups page throughout the day, as unexpected changes in the batting order can result in value opportunities in the betting and DFS markets. Another great resource is our MLB weather page that is curated by Chief Meteorologist, Kevin Roth. There are countless edges to be found if we make the right reads on possible rain delays and great hitting weather, just to name a few. Of course, these first 2 games overseas will be played in the Tokyo Dome, so weather won’t have an impact just yet.
Since the beginning of the 2023 season, we are +46.83u on regular season MLB player props in this article. And below, you can find my 3 picks for Game 1 of the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and the Cubs!
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MLB Player Props Today – Game 1 of the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series
- Kyle Tucker Over/Under 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
- Tommy Edman Over/Under 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over/Under 14.5 Outs Recorded
Kyle Tucker OVER 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs (-110, BetMGM)
Tucker had only 1 hit in 30 plate appearances during Spring Training, but that isn’t much cause for concern. In 2022, Tucker had a .227 batting average and 30 wRC+ in Spring Training, but he went on to hit 30 home runs in 140 games during the regular season.
Simply, Tucker is one of the best hitters in all of baseball. In 2023, he was 1 of only 18 hitters to finish in the top 75 in xwOBA against all major pitch types. Last season, he finished in the top 50 in xwOBA against fastballs and breaking balls again. He was 1 of only 4 hitters (min. 300 plate appearances) in 2024 to walk more frequently than he struck out. Oh, and he had a 12.7% barrel rate as well.
This season, Tucker will hit in the top half of a talented Cubs lineup, which should give him plenty of RBI opportunities with Seiya Suzuki likely to hit directly in front of him. Of course, Tucker also gets on base at a high rate and has capable bats behind him as well. This line would be more appropriately priced at over/under 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs, even against a formidable starting pitcher.
Tommy Edman OVER 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs (-135, bet365)
A quick glance at Edman’s career stats doesn’t inspire much confidence, with a 99 wRC+ across 6 MLB seasons. However, a deeper dive into the numbers reveals a player who rakes against southpaws. In his career, Edman owns a .284 batting average, .831 OPS, and 124 wRC+ against LHP, compared to a .256 batting average, .689 OPS, and 91 wRC+ against RHP.
Mookie Betts will be absent from the Dodgers’ lineup on Tuesday, which should bump Edman into the 2-hole, directly behind Shohei Ohtani and directly in front of Freddie Freeman. Edman is always a threat to get on base against LHP, and the talent around him in the lineup should give him opportunities to tally a run scored or an RBI. This is good value.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto OVER 14.5 Outs Recorded (+105, DraftKings)
Yamamoto has been aggressively ramping up his workload during Spring Training this season and was up to 75 pitches against the Diamondbacks in his final tune-up outing. He completed 5 innings in that game, putting him in an excellent position to do the same on Tuesday.
The Cubs’ lineup should be improved from a season ago, with the additions of Kyle Tucker and Matt Shaw plus the return of a healthy Seiya Suzuki. That being said, 5 innings is a very attainable bar for Yamamoto given that he’s already stretched out to near 80 pitches. If he’s relatively effective here, this is tremendous value.
DRAFTKINGSImage Credit: Getty Images