The 2021 Major League Baseball season begins on Thursday, April 1.

No foolin’.

Baseball returns this week with a full, 162-game schedule and a new ball that is supposed to lead to fewer home runs. If you seek to carry over your love for player-vs-player fantasy into the gambling space, several books are offering markets on player home run matchups. Here are six player-vs-player home run MLB betting props you should hop on to add some excitement over the course of the season, especially if your favorite team and other futures wagers fade down the stretch.

RELATED: Ultimate Guide to Betting the 2021 MLB Season

Most HR: Fernando Tatis Jr. or Mookie Betts

MLB futures odds are via DraftKings and current as of publication

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Call this one “Prop 705.” As in $705 million – the combined value of Betts’ and Tatis Jr’s contracts. Betts’ deal is worth $365 million over 11 seasons. Tatis signed in the offseason for $340 million over 14 seasons. The 2021 Dodgers are being billed as “the greatest baseball team in history,” as least by the Los Angeles Times. The hype is built around two former MVPs and three former Cy Young Award winners.

Betts doesn’t seem like the HR type, but with the deep protection offered in this lineup, he might have the edge over his divisional rival. Tatis has more pop but might feel too pressed if his team is in a late push for a playoff spot. Stick with Mookie.

CHECK OUT: Our Bookies.com MLB expert picks

Most HR: Aaron Judge or Christian Yelich

Odds are via Unibet and current as of publication

The biggest challenge for Aaron Judge entering the 2021 season will be whether or not he’ll make it through the 162-game schedule. He, like so many others, had a horrid 2020. Judge has some company in the Yankees’ order when it comes to chasing a home run title, never mind someone like Yelich. Between 2017-19, Judge had 108 home runs, while Yelich had 98.

This matchup could very well go into the final week of the season, as both teams should be in postseason contention. Given their even price, Judge is the better bet here.

Most HR: Bryce Harper or Cody Bellinger

Odds are via BetRivers and current as of publication

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A dozen years ago, Bryce Harper adorned the cover of Sports Illustrated and was christened “Baseball’s Chosen One.” Harper has yet to win a playoff series, but he has done serious damage at the plate. He gets on base. But he has little protection in the Phillies’ lineup and those backing him here will find themselves frustrated watching him get free pass after free pass to first base.

Bellinger will be batting clean-up for the aforementioned Dodgers juggernaut. He’ll consistently be facing pitchers from the stretch who have nowhere to put him and he should bash. Even at this MLB odds price, Bellinger is solid wager here.

Most HR: Pete Alonso or Mike Trout

Odds are via DraftKings and current as of publication

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This one has all the traditional rivalries. West Coast vs. East Coast. LA vs NY. Anaheim vs Queens. Both the Angels and Mets play second-position for fan and media attention in their markets. And while the Yankees and Dodgers may be on a crash course – at least among oddsmakers – to reach the 2021 World Series, Trout and Alonso are tied at +1200 to win the MLB home run title at FanDuel sportsbook. A “Trout vs. Alonso” home run derby could get some space on the back page.

Trout has the edge in terms of talent and experience, but he has never won an AL home run title. Alonso holds the Mets’ record and led the NL with 53 HR in 2019. The Mets have a deeper lineup, but the pitching in the AL West is far more suspect than in the NL East. Go with Trout.

CHECK OUT: AL MVP Award Odds & Top Contenders

Most HR: Juan Soto or Ronald Acuna Jr.

Odds are via Unibet and current as of publication

A terrific match-up of two dynamic outfielders – each of whom is the long-term future of their respective franchises – entering his fourth season in the majors. They will face off against each other 18 times this season in the NL East. Soto has 69 home runs in three seasons against 81 by Acuna. The Braves offer a bit more protection in the lineup for Acuna than Soto can expect in Washington.

Both hitters have yet to realize their full potential, but Acuna appears to have the edge in power. He’s the play here.

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Most HR: Freddie Freeman or Francisco Lindor

Odds are via BetRivers and current as of publication

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This one is about as even on the stat sheet as one can get heading into the season. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman has averaged 28 home runs per 162 games during his 10 full seasons in the majors, while new Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has averaged 29 in his six seasons. Making the shift to a new league should help Lindor initially, but moving from Cleveland to the sky-high expectations and pressure the Mets will carry this season in New York is quite something else.

Both sluggers here enjoy decent protection in their respective lineups. The Mets and Braves may well likely be fighting for an NL East title through the final weekend of the season. Lindor delivers more power, but we still like Freeman in this one.

CHECK OUT: NL MVP Award Odds & Top Contenders