MLB Best Bets: Top player prop bets for Sunday 4/12/26

Cooper Albers shares his top player prop bets for Sunday's MLB slate.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:51am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicts a baseball game in motion, with players and the field deconstructed into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the unpredictable energy and shifting dynamics of the early MLB season.Philadelphia Today

Cooper Albers highlights three top player prop bets for Sunday's MLB games, including Freddy Peralta's strikeout prop against the Athletics, Sandy Alcantara's innings prop against the Tigers, and Kyle Schwarber's home run prop against the Diamondbacks.

Why it matters

With the playoff picture still taking shape and award races wide open, early-season player prop bets can provide valuable opportunities to capitalize on star players' hot starts or favorable matchups.

The details

Freddy Peralta of the Mets has shown swing-and-miss stuff to start the season, recording at least 7 strikeouts in 2 of his first 3 outings. He'll face an Athletics lineup that has struck out at the 3rd-highest rate in MLB. Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins has been dominant, pitching into the 7th inning in each of his first 3 starts, including a complete-game shutout. He'll face a Tigers lineup that lacks power. Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies has 4 home runs already and has had success against Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen in the past.

  • Peralta will make his 4th start of the season on Sunday against the Athletics.
  • Alcantara will make his 4th start of the season on Sunday against the Tigers.
  • Schwarber will face Gallen and the Diamondbacks in the rubber match of their series on Sunday.

The players

Freddy Peralta

A 29-year-old right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets who has shown swing-and-miss stuff to start the season, recording at least 7 strikeouts in 2 of his first 3 outings.

Sandy Alcantara

A 30-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Miami Marlins who has been dominant to start the season, pitching into the 7th inning in each of his first 3 starts, including a complete-game shutout.

Kyle Schwarber

A 30-year-old left-handed outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who has hit 4 home runs already this season and has had success against Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen in the past.

Zac Gallen

A right-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who will face Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies in the rubber match of their series on Sunday.

Bryce Harper

A star outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who has matched teammate Kyle Schwarber for the team lead with 9 RBIs this season.

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What they’re saying

“Freddy Peralta has endured some growing pains in the Big Apple, posting a 4.80 ERA (2.69 xERA) and 1.13 WHIP across his first three starts (15 innings) with the Mets. Even so, it's clear that the former Brewers ace packed his signature swing-and-miss stuff.”

— Cooper Albers, Author

“Sandy Alcantara is untouchable. Again.”

— Cooper Albers, Author

“Typically, a .188 hitter doesn't carry an .850 OPS. But that's the thing about Kyle Schwarber: one swing can change everything.”

— Cooper Albers, Author

What’s next

The results of Sunday's games will determine if Peralta, Alcantara, and Schwarber were able to deliver on their prop bets, providing insight into their early-season performance and potential for the rest of the year.

The takeaway

In the early stages of the MLB season, when playoff pictures and award races are still taking shape, player prop bets can offer valuable opportunities to capitalize on star players' hot starts or favorable matchups, providing a glimpse into their potential for the rest of the year.