Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray. John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

MLB best bets, strikeout props for Wednesday 8/16: How sweep it is!

The brooms are out this week, baby! That's a second straight sweep to start the week 6-0 in strikeout props. Let's keep it rolling with my three favorite K props for Wednesday's MLB slate.  

Andrew Abbott under 5.5 Ks (+106 FanDuel)

It's a scary proposition to fade Andrew Abbott right now. The rookie is averaging 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings this year, and he's gone over 5.5 Ks eight times in his 13 starts. I still think he stays under Wednesday against a Cleveland Guardians team that has the lowest strikeout percentage (20.5 percent) in MLB this season. Hold your breath for this one.

James Paxton under 5.5 (-105 FD)

The Washington Nationals have been successful against left-handed pitching all season. Their .278 batting average against lefties ranks fourth in MLB, and their 20.8 percent strikeout percentage against lefties ranks as the third-lowest. James Paxton has gone under 5.5 Ks in four of his last six starts, and none of the teams he faced in that span are as good as the Nats have been against left-handers. Take the under. 

Jon Gray over 5.5 Ks (-138 FD)

Jon Gray has found a nice little groove in the strikeout department of late. After going under 5.5 strikeouts in six straight starts, the right-hander has racked up 19 Ks over his last three games. Now he gets to face a Los Angeles Angels lineup that couldn't hit a beach ball right now. The Angels have the worst batting average (.160) and the fourth-most strikeouts per game (9.8) in MLB over the last week. This is a smash spot for Gray.

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