Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt. Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

MLB strikeout props for Fri. 6/7: Bassitt's the big dog

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Jun 7, 2024 11:29 AM ET

We went 1-2 in strikeout props on Thursday for our first losing day of the week, but we're still 8-3 on the week with multiple plus-money winners mixed in. Let's close out the profitable week on a high note with our three favorite K props for Friday's MLB slate.

Griffin Canning under 4.5 Ks (-128 FanDuel)

Astros at Angels, 9:38 p.m. ET

We love fading pitchers going up against the Houston Astros, especially when there's familiarity between the two sides. The Astros have the second-lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching (18.9 percent) this season, and they have an impressive 11.1 percent K rate in 81 combined plate appearances against Griffin Canning. The Los Angeles Angels starter isn't an effective strikeout pitcher in the first place, as he ranks in the 13th percentile in K rate (16.4 percent) and has gone under this line in eight of his 12 starts this year.

Brandon Pfaadt under 4.5 Ks (-125 FD)

Diamondbacks at Padres, 9:40 p.m. ET

Another team we consistently target with strikeout prop unders is the San Diego Padres. The Padres have the lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching (18.5 percent) this year, and that number has dipped to 14.2 percent over the last two weeks. In 59 combined plate appearances against Brandon Pfaadt, current Padres hitters have a .328 expected batting average and a 13.6 percent K rate. Pfaadt's best avenue to strikeouts is to force opposing hitters to chase out of the zone, but San Diego has the second-highest chase contact rate in the league.

Chris Bassitt 7+ strikeouts (+130 DraftKings)

Blue Jays at Athletics, 9:40 p.m. ET

Chris Bassitt isn't a starting pitcher we'd normally back with a strikeout prop over, but he is in this matchup. The Oakland Athletics rank dead last in MLB in whiff rate, zone contact rate and chase contact rate. They also have the second-highest K rate (26.7 percent) and the second-lowest OPS (.539) against righties over the last two weeks. Bassitt has recorded seven strikeouts in back-to-back starts against the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates, two lineups that rank near the A's in most swing-and-miss metrics.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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