Best MLB strikeout bets: That's Puk with a 'K'

We went 1-2 with our three strikeout props on Opening Day, cashing Nestor Cortes' over at +110. We were looking great for a 2-1 day, but Tarik Skubal fell one strikeout short of his over because the Detroit Tigers pulled him after only 83 pitches and no runs allowed. Bummer.

Let's bounce back with a winning day for Friday's MLB slate. 

Spencer Strider over 8.5 Ks (-115 FanDuel)

Square don't care with our first selection. Strider was the best strikeout artist in MLB last season, fanning 13.4 batters per nine innings to lead all starters. He went over 8.5 Ks in 22 of his 32 starts in 2023, and there's no reason to believe he can't continue his dominance into 2024. In seven career starts against the Philadelphia Phillies in the regular season, Strider is 7-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 72 strikeouts. He's punched out at least nine batters in six straight regular-season starts against Philly. 

A.J. Puk over 5.5 Ks (-140 ESPN BET)

Puk will be making his first MLB start Friday after coming out of the bullpen for the first four years of his career. The tricky left-hander is coming off a 2023 season in which he struck out a career-high 12.4 batters per nine innings. In 13.2 innings pitched in spring training, Puk recorded an impressive 23 strikeouts and gave up only two earned runs. The Pittsburgh Pirates struck out eight times against lefty Jesus Luzardo and 17 total times in Thursday's game, so this is a great matchup for Puk to rack up some early Ks. 

Aaron Civale under 4.5 Ks (-120 DraftKings)

Civale has never been a top-tier strikeout pitcher, as he averages 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings in his career. The right-hander struggled in spring training with only nine strikeouts and seven earned runs in 12 innings of work, so we don't have high hopes for his first start of the regular season. The Toronto Blue Jays have a deep lineup that can jump on starters early, and they struck out only seven times against the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day. We like the under here.