MLB Hits Leader Predictions, Betting Odds & Picks 2024: July 15th Update

• Bobby Witt Jr is the new Total Hits leader after a hot stretch of play

• Luis Arraez has dropped down to second place on the Total Hits leaderboard

• Trea Turner has wasted no time picking up where he left off after coming back from injury

After Luis Arraez led the league in Total Hits for the past couple of weeks, there is a new face at the top of the board entering the All Star break as Bobby Witt Jr is now the current leader. Witt Jr has had a MVP type season, giving the Royals a high level of offensive production with his elite blend of power and contact ability. He will also be in the Home Run Derby, listed as one of the favorites to win the star studded event.

As for Luis Arraez, the Padres leadoff man is still nipping at Witt Jr’s ankles as he is only a few Hits back from first. After leading the league in Total Hits for a majority of the year last season, Arraez is looking to redeem himself by taking home the award this year. Freddie Freeman is also still in contention as he continues to rank in the top-20’s, marking his second Total Hits title after winning it in 2022 should he pull off the comeback.

MLB Hits Leader Odds

Preseason odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Click on the odds in the table below to head to FanDuel sportsbook and place your bets. Get $200 in bonus bets when you sign up at FanDuel sportsbook and win your first bet of at least $5 wagered. Be sure to make a wager on a heavy favorite after signing up in order to maximize your chances of winning and collecting the $200in bonus bets.

MLB Hits Leader Predictions and Favorites to Win

Ronald Acuna Jr (+750) at FanDuel

Since losing reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr to a season ending injury, the Braves offensive woes continue to plague them as they steadily decline down the board across most key metrics. A stunningly bad level of play for a deep roster, yet their low level of play has been the norm as they fail to generate any sort of consistency.

The Braves offense as a whole enters the All Star break ranked well below league in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. Their OBP mark is especially alarming as they now rank in the bottom-8 of the league, wiping away any looming positive regression for their offense. With little to no competitive offensive production, the Braves chances of winning the NL East look bleak.

Bet on Ronald Arcuna Jr. (+750) at FanDuel 

Luis Arraez (+800) at FanDuel

In what is a redemption year for the Padres elite contact hitter, Luis Arraez now finds himself back as the hunter after losing his top spot to Bobby Witt Jr. There is still plenty of season left to be played for him to reclaim his throne, but each passing day brings more urgency as we near the finale.

His offensive production is also needed more than ever after the breaking news of star slugger Fernando Tatis Jr suffering a lengthy injury. While there is no timetable set for his return, the Padres can ill-afford to underperform during his absence as they are in the midst of a competitive race for a wildcard berth. Expect Arraez to continue to give the Padres a high level of production as an elite contact hitter, hovering around the top of the leaderboard for most Total Hits as well.

Bet on Luis Arraez (+800) at FanDuel 

Freddie Freeman (+1000) at FanDuel

While a category like Total Hits normally features a heavy amount of variance, Freddie Freeman continues to be a steady source of production for the Dodgers offense. Freeman has a history of success as a lethal contact hitter, winning the Total Hits leader award back in 2022.

Bobby Witt Jr still has a sizable lead for first, but Freeman has kept his name in contention by continuing to rank in the top-20 for Total Hits so far this season. Freeman is in as good a position to succeed as current MVP betting favorite Shohei Ohtani bats right before him, applying serious pressure against opposing pitchers to punch out should Ohtani get on base. Should the Total Hits leader market open back up, be prepared to wager on Freeman to make a second half push for the award.

Bet on Freddie Freeman (+1000) at FanDuel 

Bo Bichette (+1100) at Caesars

After looking like Bo Bichette was finally getting back into a groove and creeping up the board in Total Hits, Bichette has since gone back into a funk and has crashed back down to 134th. That has been the theme of his 2024 campaign, going through a roller coaster of production as he struggles to string together productive performances.

Not only has that been a common occurrence for Bo Bichette, but that has been the Toronto Blue Jays season in a nutshell as they continue to underperform. Entering the All Star break, the Blue Jays offense ranks below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. The Blue Jays need Bo Bichette to round back into form in a pinch should they want to salvage their season as they are currently nine games back from the last wildcard spot.

Bet on Bo Bichette (+1100) at Caesars 

Trea Turner (+1900) at FanDuel

While Trea Turner may be out of contention to win his third Total Hits leader award due to his lengthy absence with an injury, he has wasted no time since his return by giving the Phillies an instant boost in offensive production in the top of their batting order. 

Currently sitting in 82nd place for Total Hits this season, Turner would need maximum chaos at the top of the board in order to have a chance to win the award. A shame as Turner currently leads the list of preseason contenders in BA, SLG, and OPS. While a third Total Hits leader award would be nice, Turner has his eyes set on a World Series title as his production has helped elevate the Phillies offense to championship contending status.

Bet on Trea Turner (+1900) at FanDuel 

Who Will Lead the League in Hits for the 2024 Season?

My Pick - Jung Hoo Lee (+4500) at FanDuel

Entering the year projected as a sleeper pick to contend for the Total Hits leader award, Jung Hoo Lee’s rookie year has been cut short after sustaining a season ending injury. Lee suffered his injury in a collision with the wall in the outfield, resulting in a torn labrum and structural damage in his left shoulder.

An unfortunate situation after Lee was steadily stringing together a hot stretch of play, playing a key role in the Giants offensive turnaround after starting the year near dead last in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. Maintaining their recent high level of play is vital for their chances of making a run for a wildcard spot, especially since their defense continues to rank well below league average in Defensive Efficiency.

Bet on Jung Hoo Lee (+4500) at FanDuel 

MLB Hits Leader History

With the season ending injury to Ronald Acuna Jr, we are now guaranteed to see a new name at the top of the Total Hits leaderboard. Luis Arraez is currently in second place as he looks to redeem himself after just missing out on the title last year when he paced the whole league for first place before an injury sidelined him.

Down the board, Freddie Freeman is still hovering in the top-20’s and looks to claim his second title in three years after winning it back in 2022. Two time Hits leader champion Trea Turner made his return from injury, but his hopes of winning a third title looks bleak after he drastically dropped down the board during his absence.

MLB Past Hits Leader Winners

How to Read MLB Hits Leader Odds

Before making any sort of wager, it’s vital to know how the listed odds work. While there are currently no (-) favorites in this market, we may see a player be listed at -130 midway into the season. Should Jung Hoo Lee have a commanding lead later in the year and see his odds at -130 then that means you would need to wager $130 to win $100. By taking him at plus odds like +4500, that means $100 would profit you $4,500.

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the Hits Leader

With the legalization of sports betting in the US comes an abundance of sportsbooks. This gives us the ability to line shop as Jung Hoo Lee’s odds of leading the league in hits are different with each book. The hits leader market is currently off the board for all sportsbooks, yet it may come back at some point in the middle of the season. Should the hits leader market return during the middle of the season, be sure to have access to as many sportsbooks as you can as the odds may drastically vary for each player. Jung Hoo Lee for example was as high as +4500 and as low as +2500 at the start of the season, being a difference of $2000 in profit for a $100 bettor.

Not only does the difference in odds make it enticing enough to have as many mobile sportsbooks as you can get, but each book also gives out their own unique new user sign up bonus. Each sign up bonus usually comes in the form of bonus bets, giving new users a massive head start with their bankroll as they look to get in on the action. BetMGM sportsbook for example, is giving new users up to $1,500 back in bonus bets should they lose their first wager with the WSN promo code WSNMGM.

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