Today's Top MLB Pitchers Strikeouts Prop Bets: 5 picks including Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, and more for August 22, 2025

Today's matchups feature a fascinating blend of established stars and emerging arms, making today’s slate one to watch closely.

We’ve got Cy Young winners like Blake Snell continuing to show their dominance, veterans such as Yu Darvish looking to bounce back after recent struggles, and rookies like Nolan McLean bringing fresh intrigue with strikeout-heavy performances.

Add in steady arms like Adrian Houser and volatile talents like Carson Whisenhunt, and the board is filled with opportunities for sharp strikeout prop betting. With contrasting pitching styles and varying levels of command, the stage is set for a day where both upside and risk run high.

Note: Odds are set by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. No outcome can be guaranteed when betting on sports.

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Today's Top Five MLB Pitchers Strikeouts Prop Bets

#5. Yu Darvish: Over 4.5 (-155)

Darvish has had an uneven season (2-3, 5.97 ERA), but the strikeouts have still been there with 34 Ks across 37.2 innings, good for an 8.1 K/9.

He struck out five in his last outing against these same Dodgers, showing he can still miss bats even against tough lineups.

The control wavers at times with 13 walks already, but with a line set at just 4.5, the path to cashing is reasonable if he gets through at least four or five frames.

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#4. Blake Snell: Over 5.5 (-130)

Snell has been sharp since returning with 3-1, 1.80 ERA across 25 innings, using his swing-and-miss stuff to rack up 25 strikeouts with a 9.0 K/9.

He held the Padres scoreless over six frames in his last start, striking out three, but the stuff is there to bounce back in the strikeout department.

While his 13 walks show command isn’t always locked in, Snell’s high pitch counts give him plenty of strikeout chances, and against a familiar Padres lineup, he has the upside to clear 5.5 if he keeps his efficiency in check.

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#3. Nolan McLean: Over 4.5 (-155)

McLean’s debut couldn’t have gone much better, he punched out eight batters in 5.1 shutout innings against Seattle, flashing the same strikeout upside that carried him through the minors with a 10.1 K/9 across 113.2 innings.

His control is still a work in progress, evident from the four walks, but the raw stuff is legit. Facing Atlanta is a tall task, yet their aggressive bats also bring strikeout opportunities.

With a line set at 4.5, McLean doesn’t need to repeat his debut dominance to clear it, making the over at even money a reasonable gamble on his swing-and-miss ability.

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#2. Adrian Houser: Over 3.5 (-165) (Safest pick of the day)

Houser has been excellent at run prevention this year with a 2.67 ERA, but strikeouts aren’t really his calling card.

His 6.4 K/9 across 84.1 innings shows more pitch-to-contact tendencies, and he’s cleared 5 strikeouts in just a handful of outings. The Cardinals aren’t a high-strikeout team either, ranking among the more disciplined lineups in the league.

Houser’s efficiency keeps him in games, but with his low swing-and-miss profile, the under on 4.5 strikeouts feels like the smarter angle here despite his sharp overall form.

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#1. Carson Whisenhunt: Over 3.5 (+105) (Bold Prediction of the day)

Whisenhunt is still getting his feet wet in the big leagues, but the lefty has shown flashes of swing-and-miss stuff with 12 strikeouts in just 14.1 innings (7.5 K/9).

The main concern is the long ball, five homers already allowed, but Milwaukee’s lineup has strikeout-prone bats that could play right into his strengths.

With a modest line set at just 3.5, Whisenhunt doesn’t need to be perfect to cash this prop. As a plus-money play, this makes for a bold but intriguing value spot if he can stay composed through four or five innings.