Shawn Krest
• Betting Analyst
20+ years betting experience
Updated:
Mar 29, 2026 , 10:53 AM ET
• 4 min read
Roman Anthony has serious upside, and he’ll hit his first dinger of the year this afternoon against the Reds.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Roman Anthony (19) hits a home run during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Season-opening series wrap up on Sunday, as we’ll see if early-season trends can hold up with the third-best starting pitcher on the mound for each team.
Young star Roman Anthony will look to continue his hot start, while fellow star on the rise Gunnar Henderson wants to break through.
Check out my favorite MLB player props for March 29.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Austin Riley
+400
Roman Anthony
+390
Gunnar Henderson
+285
💲Today’s HR parlay
+12027
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Austin Riley (+400)
The Royals will start 36-year-old innings-eater Seth Lugo, who gave up three home runs in nine spring innings. The Atlanta Braves lineup took him deep twice when they faced him last year, and Austin Riley has a career .910 OPS against Lugo with two home runs.
Riley has beaten up Kansas City pitching in the first two games, posting a 1.196 OPS. He led the Braves with five home runs in spring training, but he’s still looking for his first extra-base hit of the regular season.
That will come this afternoon.
- Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: MLB Network
Roman Anthony (+390)
After an injury interrupted his debut season last year, Roman Anthony is ready to take a star turn. He had an OPS+ of 140 in 71 games last year and is ready to make up for lost time.
Anthony had two WBC homers for Team USA and hit .300 in spring training for Boston when not with the national team. In two games that count, he’s gotten four hits.
Anthony hasn’t had an extra base hit but could break through against Cincinnati’s Rhett Lowder, making his seventh career start and first since 2024 after missing all last year with injury.
- Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: CINR, NESN
Gunnar Henderson (+285)
Gunnar Henderson was one of the stars for Team USA at the WBC, hitting .400 with two homers and 1.267 OPS.
He’s still seeking his first hit after two games in the regular season, striking out five times in eight at-bats. New manager Craig Albernaz was supportive of him after he showed frustration on the field Saturday.
Gunnar Henderson has a home run against Twins starter Bailey Ober in his career, and Ober struggled in the spring, with a WHIP of 1.769 and less than a strikeout every two innings. Look for Henderson to break through in game three.
- Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: MASN, MNMT
2026 Transparency record
- HR picks: 2-2, +3.6 units
Today’s HR parlay
Austin Riley
Bet Now
+12027
Roman Anthony
Gunnar Henderson
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Since quitting his job as bank assistant vice-president in 2000, Shawn has covered Final Fours, Super Bowls, World Series games and title fights in boxing and UFC. His work has appeared on ESPN, MLB.com, Sports Illustrated and dozens of other outlets. His book, Baseball Meat Market was published in 2018. He lives in North Carolina with his dog Toby, eight turtles, and wife.
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