Javan Shouey
Wednesday’s slate of MLB action features several interesting pitching matchups, including the return of Spencer Strider to the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation. My best MLB player prop bet of the day focuses on Strider, so let’s break it down! You can also get our MLB picks for today’s big games, with our experts currently on a 17-8 run over the last 3 days!
Spencer Strider over 5.5 strikeouts recorded (-150)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -165 odds.
Strider took the league by storm when he entered the Braves’ starting rotation in 2022, and the league sorely missed his presence during last season. Strider suffered an injury to his UCL last season after two starts and required surgery to repair his elbow. The right-handed flamethrower did undergo Tommy John surgery in college and was able to opt for the quicker route this time via the internal brace. With 13, 17, and 21 total batters faced in his 3 minor league rehab outings, Strider was able to begin increasing his workload, and the early returns have been terrific. He recorded 27 strikeouts with just 10 base runners allowed in 13.2 combined innings during that sample and appears ready to hit the ground running against Toronto this afternoon.
The Toronto Blue Jays are not exactly a lineup I often look to target from a strikeout perspective, but with 90 pitches thrown in Strider’s last rehab outing, his workload should be nearly full. As a rookie in 2022, Strider posted 202 strikeouts across just 131.2 innings pitched before ballooning that total to 281 strikeouts across 186.2 IP in 2023. Public projection sources have Strider right around a 33% strikeout rate this season, which can help overcome a more difficult matchup. Toronto has just 14 combined PA from active hitters against Strider, and I favor the Over on his 5.5 strikeout prop today.
Read our full Atlanta Braves vs Toronto Blue Jays prediction for the first MLB game of the day
