Best Bets for 2026 MLB League Leaders in HR, Strikeouts

Written By:

Zachary Kelley

Published On:

February 5, 2026 11:46 AM

Best Bet For Philadelphia Phillies Vs. New York Yankees - Aaron Judge
  • Aaron Judge is the favorite (+300) to hit the most home runs in 2026, but Nick Kurtz has potential for a massive breakout in 2026 with +1000 odds.
  • Yordan Alvarez is a valuable longshot to hit the most homers at +5000 odds.
  • Garrett Crochet is the best bet to lead the MLB in strikeouts with +450 odds for the 2026 campaign.

HOUSTON – Betting on MLB league leader projections for the 2026 season offers a valuable way to have action throughout the season. Aaron Judge is the legal sports betting favorite to lead the league in home runs this season at +300 odds, but there are other players with more value.

Odds To Hit the Most Home Runs In 2026

  • Aaron Judge (NYY) +300
  • Shohei Ohtani (LAD) +450
  • Cal Raleigh (SEA) +600
  • Kyle Schwarber (PHI) +800
  • Nick Kurtz (ATH) +1000
  • Pete Alonso (BAL) +1100
  • Junior Caminero (TB) +1200
  • Juan Soto (NYM) +1500
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) +2200
  • Matt Olson (ATL) +3000
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD) +4000
  • Jac Caglianone (KC) +4000
  • Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL) +4500
  • Brent Rooker (ATH) +5000
  • Yordan Alvarez (HOU) +5000
  • Julio Rodriguez (SEA) +5500
  • Eugenio Suarez (SEA) +6000
  • Rafael Devers (SF) +6000
  • Bryce Harper (PHI) +8000
  • Jo Adell (LAA) +8000

Sportsbooks give unanimous rookie of the year Nick Kurtz +1000 odds, shorter than league superstars Juan Soto (+1500) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+2200). Considering Kurtz hit 36 home runs in less than 500 plate appearances in his rookie campaign, he’s worth a shot at +1000 with a hitter-friendly home park and a confident entrance into the MLB.

As for a long shot, there’s no better option than Yordan Alvarez. He has +5000 odds at legal Texas sports betting sites to make a strong bounce back in 2026 and top the league in homers.

His power is well documented with four-consecutive 30+ home run seasons before playing just 48 games in 2025 due to injury. He expects to be fully healthy for the 2026 season, making him an intriguing candidate at juicy +5000 odds.

Back Garrett Crochet To Repeat As Strikeouts Leader In 2026

Garrett Crochet posted a league-best 255 strikeouts in 2025, yet his +450 odds trail Paul Skenes (+400) and Tarik Skubal (+350) for 2026. He finished with 14 more strikeouts than Skubal (241) and 39 more strikeouts than Skenes (216) last season and showed no indications of regressing in 2026.

Odds To Record the Most Strikeouts In 2026

  • Tarik Skubal (DET) +350
  • Paul Skenes (PIT) +400
  • Garrett Crochet (BOS) +450
  • Hunter Greene (CIN) +900
  • Dylan Cease (TOR) +1200
  • Jacob deGrom (TEX) +1400
  • Chris Sale (ATL) +1800
  • Cole Ragans (KC) +1800
  • Spencer Strider (ATL) +2000
  • Chase Burns (CIN) +2200

The main advantage Crochet has over Skubal and Skenes is stamina. While the Boston Red Sox ace gave up more runs, hits, and walks than each of his counterparts, he still threw 10 more innings than Skubal and 17.9 more innings than Skenes. That gives Crochet more opportunities for strikeouts, hence more value at legal MLB betting sites for his +450 odds to have the most strikeouts in 2026.

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Ben Fiore

Zachary Kelley

Zach graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Writing, Editing, and Media. Zach is interested in the legalization aspect of sports betting and enjoys participating in DFS. He has a passion for sports writing and most enjoys writing about football and baseball both professional and collegiate.