Best MLB strikeout bets: Weather should play havoc in Chicago

Jesus Luzardo let us down on Tuesday, but we still went 2-1 in our strikeout props to get back to .500 on the week. Let's keep the momentum rolling with three more K props for Wednesday's loaded MLB slate. 

Nick Pivetta over 8.5 Ks (-104 FanDuel)

Red Sox vs. Athletics, 3:37 p.m. ET

This is a high number for a strikeout prop, but it might not be high enough for this matchup. Current Oakland Athletics hitters are batting .132 with a 39.5 percent strikeout rate against Nick Pivetta in 46 total at-bats, per Baseball Savant. The A's also rank 29th in MLB in strikeout percentage to start the season. 

Pivetta was stellar in his first start of the year with 10 strikeouts and only one earned run allowed in six innings of work against the Seattle Mariners. He could easily replicate that performance against a lineup he's dominated in the past. 

Casey Mize under 3.5 Ks (+115 DraftKings)

Tigers vs. Mets, 7:10 p.m. ET

Casey Mize returns to the mound Wednesday for the first time since 2022. The Detroit Tigers right-hander was sidelined for 22 months due to Tommy John and back surgeries, so it's hard to envision him eating up a ton of innings in his first start back. 

Mize was never a prolific strikeout artist in MLB before his injuries, and he has to face a New York Mets lineup that has the 10th-lowest strikeout rate in the league. Take the under. 

Cal Quantrill under 3.5 Ks (-130 DK)

Rockies vs. Cubs, 7:40 p.m. ET

This is a fascinating handicap because of the terrible weather in Chicago. The Wednesday forecast calls for temperatures in the 30s, a mix of snow and rain and wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Yikes!

Assuming the game is even played, we're interested in fading Colorado Rockies starter Cal Quantrill. The right-hander gave up five earned runs and struck out only one batter in his 2024 debut, and he averaged just 5.2 Ks per nine innings last season. Current Chicago Cubs hitters are batting .325 with a minuscule 6.7 percent strikeout rate against Quantrill, and the weather won't help his cause.