3 Best MLB Strikeout Prop Bets for Friday 5/16/25

Within a given MLB slate, there are tons of strikeout props to sort through as there are lines posted for most of the day's starting pitchers.

Across today's action, which seem to present the best value in FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB betting odds?

We're going to dig into that today, laying out my favorite strikeout props across all the action. You can also do some research of your own by digging into our MLB player prop projections.

Please note lines and MLB projections are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise.

Today's Best MLB K Prop Picks

MacKenzie Gore Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-112)

We're seeing a MacKenzie Gore superstar turn, and I'm buying in enough to back him at a high number.

Through 9 starts, Gore has a whopping 35.2% strikeout rate with a 15.6% swinging-strike rate. He has four different pitches generating at least a 47.4% whiff rate, according to Baseball Savant, giving him options should one pitch not be working for him in a given night. All the numbers that stabilize quickly say his early surge is sticky.

The opposing Baltimore Orioles are off to a brutal start against lefties with a 24.8% strikeout rate on the active roster. Given the number of lefties they have, I don't think that's the product of a small sample, and Gore could exacerbate those problems tonight. I would just recommend checking the weather before placing your bet to ensure the odds of an in-game delay haven't increased from where they were Friday morning.

Cole Ragans to Record 8-Plus Strikeouts (+124)

Even when I regress Cole Ragans' numbers from his hot start, I'm still seeing value in his alt-market over tonight.

The baseline numbers are absurd. Ragans has a 38.0% strikeout rate with a 15.6% swinging-strike rate in 8 starts. He has hit eight-plus strikeouts in six of eight starts, and one of the exceptions was the opener.

We can't expect this kind of binge to continue because 38.0% is peak-Jacob deGrom-esque. When I pull him back to a more reasonable baseline -- and put him in a neutral matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals -- I have Ragans projected at 7.96 strikeouts. Pitchers in that range for me have hit 8-plus strikeouts 52.4% of the time, meaning the plus money here is a solid value.

Corbin Burnes Under 6.5 Strikeouts (-108)

We are playing with fire here as this is the third time this week I've shown value in an under against the Colorado Rockies. The first two (barely) hit, though, so I'm willing to give it another crack with Corbin Burnes.

Burnes' tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks is off to a rocky start. Despite a 2.95 ERA, Burnes is issuing too many walks and has just a 9.6% swinging-strike rate. Some of this is due to tough matchups, but a step back likely should have been expected. Chase Field is one of the tougher parks for strikeouts, according to Baseball Savant, way behind Burnes' old stomping ground in Milwaukee and behind Camden Yards, as well.

This could be the matchup to spur a charge for Burnes, and I am projecting a jump to 6.09 strikeouts, up from his full-season average of 4.71. That's just not enough to be in line with market, putting me on the under.

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Which strikeout props stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB betting odds to see the full menu of options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.