Strikeout props for Monday 4/8: Good night to slam some Unders

We're throwing an under party in strikeout props to kick off the new week, and everyone's invited. Here are the three starting pitchers we're fading with unders on Monday's MLB slate. 

Jesus Luzardo under 5.5 Ks (+115 DraftKings)

Marlins vs. Yankees, 6:06 p.m. ET

Jesus Luzardo is a scary pitcher to fade with strikeout props. The 26-year-old averages 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings in his career, and his advanced stats are impressive early in the season. Luzardo has a 33.3 percent strikeout rate and a 34.1 percent whiff rate through two starts, which both rank in the top 13 in MLB among qualified pitchers (Baseball Savant).

Although the left-hander is one of the top strikeout artists in the league, he's struggled in this matchup against the New York Yankees. Luzardo has a 21.6 percent strikeout rate and a .393 xwOBA against current Yankees hitters. In his lone start against New York last year, the Miami Marlins starter gave up seven earned runs and struck out only two batters in 3.1 innings. Take the under. 

Miles Mikolas under 4.5 Ks (-110 FanDuel)

Phillies vs. Cardinals, 7:45 p.m. ET

We pick on Miles Mikolas a lot, but there's a good reason for that. The St. Louis Cardinals starter has a 12.2 percent whiff rate in two starts this season, which ranks 378th out of 388 pitchers who have faced a minimum of 10 batters (Baseball Savant). He simply doesn't force a ton of swings and misses.

Mikolas also doesn't have a great track record against the Philadelphia Phillies. In two starts against Philly last season, the right-hander gave up 16 hits and 10 earned runs while striking out only five batters in 12 total innings of work. The Phillies have been susceptible to strikeouts early in the season, but we're trusting the stats and matchup history here. 

Luis Castillo under 5.5 Ks (-138 FD)

Mariners vs. Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. ET

It hasn't been a great start to the 2024 season for Luis Castillo. The Seattle Mariners starter is 0-2 with eight earned runs and a league-high 16 hits allowed, and he ranks 119th out of 134 qualified pitchers in whiff rate (16.8 percent).

That's the most concerning stat for Castillo considering he ranked eighth among starters last season with a 30.8 percent whiff rate. As for the matchup, current Toronto Blue Jays hitters have a .324 xwOBA and a mere 13.4 percent strikeout rate against Castillo in 82 plate appearances.