3 Strikeout Props to Target for Monday 6/17/24

The lengthy MLB season offers a wide array of bets via the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Strikeout props are among the popular lines offered. These bets can focus on the over/under of a starting pitcher's strikeout total or alternate lines can be utilized for more intriguing odds.

In this piece, we will dive into the stats to back our favorite strikeout props of the day across the MLB's slate. Which pitchers taking the mound could rack up Ks or which may stumble? We have plenty of tools available that can help us zero in on the top picks, and we'll use stats from numberFire's daily fantasy baseball projections, Baseball Savant, and FanGraphs.

Here are some of the most enticing strikeout props at FanDuel Sportsbook for today's games.

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Strikeout Props

Yusei Kikuchi Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-122)

A date with the Boston Red Sox could lead to a special night for Yusei Kikuchi.

Kikuchi has been solid for the Toronto Blue Jays, coming in with a 3.26 ERA, 3.39 xFIP, and 3.58 SIERA. He allows just 0.81 home runs per nine innings while he strikes out 8.84 batters in the same span.

He's been specifically dominant in division play, averaging 7.0 Ks in five games against fellow AL East teams, four of which came against powerhouse lineups in the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees.

Kikuchi looks primed to meet or exceed this average in his first meeting of the season with Boston.

The Red Sox have perfected their post-at-bat strut to the dugout against lefties. They strike out at an eye-popping 28.7% rate against this handedness, which leads the league by a significant margin. Only three other teams possess a 25.0% K% or higher versus left-handed pitchers.

Kikuchi is also known to pitch further into the game when throwing at home. He's averaging 6.15 IP at Rogers Centre but just 4.86 IP on the road.

He has a pretty high ceiling against this strikeout-prone team and has punched out at least nine batters on a trio of occasions, so I'd consider targeting Kikuchi 8+ Strikeouts (+162), too.

Randy Vasquez Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+104)

The Philadelphia Phillies (NL-best 47-24 record) are one of the hottest teams in baseball, so it's easy to question Randy Vasquez's fate on the mound tonight.

Philadelphia is generating a .321 OBP (5th), .401 SLG (10th), 105 wRC+ (tied for 7th), and 9.2% walk rate (6th) versus right-handed pitchers.

They're striking out at a modest 20.8% K% (seventh-lowest in MLB) against this handedness and have been even more K-resistant on their home turf.

Vasquez has been underwhelming for the San Diego Padres. He comes in with a 4.93 ERA and 1.51 WHIP and allows 1.88 home runs per nine innings. Not only is he at risk of getting rocked, but he also is producing a mere 15.4% K%.

Vasquez has recorded under 3.5 strikeouts in five out of eight starts this season. In his career, he has recorded under 3.5 strikeouts in 9 out of 13 starts. The bar on his strikeout prop is low, but it's low for a reason, and this matchup seems to be grounds for siding with the plus-money odds.

David Peterson Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-122)

David Peterson might not have 5 Ks in him for tonight's matchup against the Texas Rangers.

Through three starts, Peterson is struggling with a 5.65 xERA, 4.88 xFIP, and 4.88 SIERA. He still has much to improve upon after producing a 5.03 ERA and 4.96 xERA in the 2023 season.

He's managed just six strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, good for an unappealing 8.1% K%. This rate will undoubtedly show regression with a longer sample, but a 7.6% swinging strike rate is room for concern.

Peterson has been known to force opponents into ground balls, with a 54.6% GB% last season and a 57.4% GB% in this campaign. The Rangers are grounding out at a 45.3% rate versus lefties (seventh-highest), so Peterson's easy outs could be by virtue of a grounder.

Texas' 22.1% K% against left-handed pitchers (13th) isn't gaudy, and they are striking out at just a 20.2% clip (sixth-lowest) on their home field.

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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.