MLB Home Run Props and Best Bets for Today, August 22nd
These are the two best home run props for today, August 22, 2025:
- James Wood
- Addison Barger
We’re back to a full slate this Friday with the first game scheduled to start at 6:40 PM ET. It is a relatively light card, but there is plenty of value with both of our picks.
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Be sure to check out our comprehensive MLB home run odds.
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Home Runs Odds
James Wood to Hit a Home Run (+400 | BetMGM) vs. (SP: Taijuan Walker)
In the first half of the regular season, James Wood established himself as one of the most electrifying young players in baseball. Wood was one of the big-name prospects the Nationals got back in the Juan Soto trade, and he’s proven to be one of baseball’s best young pieces since then.
However, the 6’7 outfielder has hit a wall of sorts in the second half of the year. But he’s managed to slowly come back into form this past week, with three extra-base hits, five RBIs, including a home run in last night’s game.
Wood has been equally powerful against righties and lefties - he has a great opportunity on his hands to continue to build against Taijuan Walker.
Walker was signed by the Phillies in free agency in 2023 and has generally been a disappointment. But, in 2025, he has had his best season yet as a Phillie with a 3.34 ERA.
However, if you look beyond the surface-level stats, Walker is certainly due for some regression. His 1.29 WHIP suggests he is a more middling pitcher. And his Baseball Savant profile would tell you Walker’s ERA is an anomaly of sorts:
Although Walker has been able to limit the long ball, the +400 number at BetMGM Sportsbook is simply too good for a slugger like Wood to pass up on.
Addison Barger to Hit a Home Run (+450 | FanDuel) vs. (SP: Ryan Gusto)
Lastly, we have another promising young lefty power hitter in Addison Barger.
In 2025, Barger has proven he is developing into one of the best third basemen in all of baseball. He has been absolutely deadly against righties with 17 of his 18 long balls coming against that same side with an impressive .510 SLG and 122 wRC+.
He’ll take on Ryan Gusto of the Miami Marlins. Gusto was a part of the return from Houston in the Jesus Sanchez trade. Gusto is a decent rotation piece who is there to eat some innings, but is nothing more.
On the year, he’s relinquished 13 home runs - he’s struggled to limit hard contact. According to Baseball Savant, Gusto is in the 16th percentile in regards to Hard Hit%, and 19th percentile in ground ball%.
Most sportsbooks have Barger under +400 odds to hit a dinger - FanDuel Sportsbook’s +450 number has a lot of value.
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