Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees had a slow patch after a hot start to the 2025 season, hitting only one home run in three weeks following six in his first seven games. However, he has recently shown signs of resurgence with home runs in two of his last three games. This resurgence has significantly altered his home run odds, bringing them down to +205 for an upcoming matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. With sportsbooks portraying Judge as a riskier play now, fantasy players must reassess his value for home run bets.

Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves, currently with a .295 batting average and leading the National League in walks, is touted to capitalize on the favorable hitting conditions at Coors Field with +320 odds for a home run. Similarly, Zach Neto from the Los Angeles Angels, coming off a strong performance with three home runs in his last eight games, boasts odds of +520. Kerry Carpenter from the Detroit Tigers is also a favorable bet at +350 against a right-handed pitcher, following a solid start to the series against the Houston Astros.

J.T. Realmuto leads MLB catchers as the highest-paid player for the 2025 season, earning $23.9 million. His contract, valued at $115.5 million over five years, underscores the value of elite catchers in today's game. The list of top-earning catchers also features Salvador Perez and Willson Contreras, with salaries of $21.8 million and $18 million, respectively. With only seven catchers earning over $10 million, the position remains underappreciated in terms of salary.

Sean Murphy and Mitch Garver round out the top five with earnings of $15 million and $12.5 million. Interestingly, the financial disparity among catchers highlights their critical but often overlooked role, especially as only 16 receive an annual salary of at least $5 million. The figures, compiled by USA TODAY, reflect present-day contract values, including deferrals and bonuses, providing insight into the financial landscape of MLB.

The Atlanta Braves (14-15) are set to face the struggling Colorado Rockies (4-25) at Coors Field in Denver, aiming for a three-game series sweep. Following an impressive 8-2 win over the Rockies, the Braves' offense is riding high, with Matt Olson leading after going 3-5 in the last game. Chris Sale takes the mound for the Braves, looking to improve his season record against Chase Dollander, who has struggled for the Rockies.

As the two teams prepare for their clash, oddsmakers have set the Braves as heavy favorites with a -250 moneyline. The Braves' recent performance shows they’ve won four of their last five away games, while the Rockies are on an eight-game losing streak. With the total set at 10 runs, bettors will be keen on finding value, especially with the Braves covering on the road and the Rockies’ recent struggles against the over.

The Atlanta Braves have made a swift roster change, recalling top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver to start against the Colorado Rockies while designating right-hander Ian Anderson for assignment. This move highlights Atlanta's ongoing adjustments amid pitching struggles, as fans express concerns over the front office's decision-making. Anderson, once a postseason standout in 2021, has struggled since returning from elbow surgery. Meanwhile, Smith-Shawver, who has shown promise yet faced control issues, aims to establish himself in the rotation, at least temporarily.

April 30, 2025, promises exciting MLB action as Thunder Dan Palyo shares his top betting picks and parlays for the day. The analysis revolves around potent moneyline parlays featuring the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, both of which are positioned well based on their recent form and pitching matchups. The Cubs, coming off a dominant 9-0 victory over the Pirates, will counter a struggling Carmen Mlodzinski, while the Phillies send Cristopher Sanchez to face a less effective Jake Irvin.

Same game parlays highlight the Atlanta Braves against the Rockies, where Chris Sale's strikeout potential could significantly boost betting odds. With a solid starting lineup and favorable historical performances against Colorado, Atlanta seems primed for a secure win. Additionally, strikeout prop bets include rising stars Cristopher Sanchez and Michael King, who have shown high K% this season. The article concludes with insights on hitters like Freeman and Rodriguez, enhancing the betting slate with promising prop bets across the board.