MLB Player Prop Bets & Picks for Sunday: Two Strikeout Totals to Jump On (April 18)

MLB Player Prop Bets & Picks for Sunday: Two Strikeout Totals to Jump On (April 18) article feature image
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Julio Aguilar/Getty Images. Pictured: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray.

  • We have another stacked Major League Baseball card on Sunday, with 15 games on the docket.
  • Mike Ianniello has highlighted two player props involving starting pitchers he has focused his attention on below.

We have another loaded Major League Baseball card Sunday, with 15 games scheduled for action.

I will be evaluating my favorite MLB player props based on what the Action Labs Player Prop tool likes. The tool grades each bet on a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the best possible grade.

Below, I have laid out two prop bets that I'm playing, the case for each bet and the best books to find odds on those player props.

MLB Player Props & Picks

Robbie Ray — Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+120)

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City RoyalsKansas City -115
Time 2:10 p.m. ET
Best BookBetMGM

Robbie Ray had just three strikeouts in five innings against the New York Yankees in his first start of the season, but I expect him to put up a better number against the Kansas City Royals in Sunday's outing.

Ray has a 11.10 career K/9 rate and has been over 11.8 for each of the past four seasons. He struck out 27.1% of batters last season and more than 30% in the previous three years.

Kansas City has the ninth-highest strikeout percentage in the league. If Ray pitches to his normal career strikeout numbers, he should be able to get six strikeouts if he pitches into the sixth inning.

Action Labs Grade: 10/10

Jake Odorizzi — Under 6.5 Strikeouts (-160)

Houston Astros vs. Seattle MarinersHouston -116
Time 4:10 p.m. ET
Best BookBetMGM

In Jake Odorizzi’s first start of the year for Houston, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings and struck out four. Odorizzi has a 8.6 K/9 rate throughout his career, and in four starts last season his rate was 7.90 in the statistical category.

The Mariners hit right-handed pitchers much better than they hit lefties and could chase the left-hander from this game earlier than expected if his numbers continue to decline.

Odorizzi has not lasted more than four innings since 2019 and has reached six strikeouts just once in his last five starts.

Action Labs Grade: 9/10

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