Rangers vs. Angels: The best player prop bets for Sept. 3

All eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani (8-1, 3.00 ERA) on Friday night when the Japanese sensation leads the Los Angeles Angels (66-68) against the Texas Rangers (47-86). The prohibitive American League MVP will be pulling double duty for the 20th time this season as he heads to the bump and bats second in the order.

Although Ohtani’s exploits are now legendary, he’ll be facing something of an unknown commodity in Rangers hurler Glenn Otto (0-0, 0.00 ERA). The 25-year-old right-hander made his debut on Aug. 27 against the Houston Astros and has faced a grand total of 17 batters in his Major League career.

Although he may be lean on experience, Otto looked mighty impressive in his first start, giving up just two hits and striking out seven in five innings. That’s a stat line that pitchers with 10 times his tenure would be happy to record.

First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET, and we have the three best player prop bets to wager on below.

Shohei Ohtani: Over/Under 0.5 hits

Ohtani's dual value as a lights-out pitcher and slugger is undeniable, but the dirty little secret about the All-Star is that he seldom shines at the plate when he performs both roles in the same game. Need proof? Ohtani has gone just 3-for-18 with eight strikeouts during the last five games he's pitched.

Those numbers are eerily similar to his last five games overall, as Ohtani has gone 1-for-18 with eight punchouts. Is it possible that all that heavy lifting is wearing him down? Possibly, and that's reason enough for us to take the Under on Ohtani's plate production tonight.

Pick: Under 0.5 hits (+188)

Jared Walsh: Over/Under 0.5 hits

In contrast to Ohtani, Jared Walsh has been red hot lately. The All-Star first baseman has hit .316 with two home runs and six RBIs over the past week, and flashed some serious power on Tuesday when he took New York Yankees starter Jameson Taillon deep for his 25th tater of the season.

Walsh hasn't just feasted on the Yankees this year either. He's also hitting .400 with one home run and five RBIs against the Rangers in 33 plate appearances. Count on him connecting again tonight when the Angels need him most.

Pick: Over 0.5 hits (-205)

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: Over/Under 0.5 hits

Ohtani has generally been outstanding against the Rangers this season (2-0, 3.00 ERA), but one player who has had some success against the Angels ace is infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The Gold Glover has had three hits - including a double - in his nine at bats against Ohtani in 2021. 

Kiner-Falefa had a hit on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies and should stay hot again tonight, especially if Ohtani is still feeling the effects of a minor hand injury he suffered last Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

Pick: Over 0.5 hits (-250)