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It's Opening Day, which means there are a ton of aces on the mound. With very few exceptions, each team goes with its best starting pitcher for the first game of the year, and those pitchers are often good for a number of strikeouts.
Determining how many can be a challenge, especially for those who want to bet on the popular prop bet. There's an over/under number and odds associated with it. Today, we've got the best picks to keep an eye on.
Note: No picks can be guaranteed and you are never absolutely certain of hitting when gambling.
Best strikeout props MLB Opening Day
5) Tarik Skubal: Under 6.5 -145
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Tarik Skubal just won the Triple Crown in the American League, which means he led the league in strikeouts. However, today, his line is fairly high, and he has perhaps the most unenviable matchup in baseball: the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their lineup should be at full strength, and they possess some of the best hitters. Take the under.
4) Garrett Crochet: Over 6.5 -150
Garrett Crochet, on the other hand, doesn't have as difficult of a matchup. He has the same over/under line, but the Boston Red Sox ace is taking on the Texas Rangers.
They're good, but they're not the Dodgers. Additionally, Crochet had an otherworldly 35.1% K rate and 12.88 K/9 last year. In spring, the K/9 was an unfathomable 17.23. The over feels very safe today with Crochet.
3) Blake Snell: Over 6.5 -160
Blake Snell is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He gets to take on the Detroit Tigers today. Their offense was lackluster last year and they didn't add any non-strikeout stars to their offense. Snell also had a sterling 34.7% K rate last year, so he's good for a lot of strikeouts. Take the over again.
2) Paul Skenes: Over 6.5 -160 (Safest pick of the day)
Today's safe pick is Paul Skenes. He at times resembled the best pitcher in baseball as a rookie, so he should have an excellent year and post a ton of strikeouts.
He had an 11.50 K/9 in 2024 as a rookie and posted the same number in Spring Training, so he's a strikeout pitcher who gets to face the lowly Miami Marlins today. Take the over with confidence.
1) Chris Sale: Over 5.5 +100 (Bold Prediction of the day)
Today's bold prediction is for Chris Sale to hit his over. The line is fairly low for a pitcher who won the NL Triple Crown, so like Skubal, he led the NL in strikeouts. However, he's facing the San Diego Padres, a talented offense, so it's fair for the line to be lower. Despite that, though, six isn't a big ask for Sale. Take the over on him.
