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MLB Futures: Best Bets for Strikeout Leader (2020)

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With the MLB season nearly upon us, the futures market has begun to heat up as we gather more information regarding pitchers and their potential workloads. A small 60-game schedule may allow for a few surprises, but as a whole, we should be able to lean on our usual suspects to rise to the top of the leaderboard.

Using Fanduel Sportsbook, let’s take a look at our best bets. And check out our consensus odds for 2020 strikeout leaders.

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The Favorites

Gerrit Cole (NYY) +250
Cole struck out a ridiculous 326 batters last season in 212.1 innings – which equates to a 13.8 K/9 innings. 2019 marked the second straight year Cole led the American League in K/9 after registering a 12.4 mark for the Astros in 2018.

With the abbreviated season, K/9 is an advantageous metric to utilize when handicapping strikeouts as it provides further clarity on the pitcher’s true skill.

Even with the short price, Cole is worthy of a bet as we’ve seen him dominate the K/9 category the last two seasons – along with his opponents.

Max Scherzer (WSH) +550
Scherzer checks in with the second shortest odds on the board but a true perennial favorite in the strikeout category.

Mad Max led the National League in K’s for three straight seasons from 2016-18 – while leading the MLB as a whole in 2016 and 2018.

Typically durable, even at an advanced baseball age, Scherzer did miss a few starts in the regular and postseason in 2019, so that is something to be cognizant of. However, in his 27 starts last year, he punched-out 243 batters in 172.1 innings – while registering an NL leading 12.7 K/9.

Scherzer still provides the skill set and advanced stats to contend for the strikeout title yet again.

Justin Verlander (HOU) +950
Verlander certainly benefitted from the delay as he had surgery to repair an injured groin back in March. Now healthy, he is expected to settle into the rotation with a usual workload.

Despite being 37 years of age, Verlander is still one of the games premier pitchers. In 2019, he had 300 strikeouts in 223 innings. He has also led the AL in K’s five-times and led all of the MLB in 2018.

Scandal aside – Houston has one of the best analytics departments in the majors and seems to unlock the potential out of all players they acquire. Verlander has averaged a 12.1 K rate in his time with the Astros and has the pedigree to lead this category yet again.

Best Values

Lucas Giolito (CHW) +1600
After a few relatively disappointing years as a top prospect, Giolito finally put it all together in 2019.

Giolito ditched his sinker and shifted his position on the pitching rubber. The Result? A 2-mph increase on his fastball that allowed him to shave three runs off his ERA from 2018. This also allowed him to strikeout 32.3% of the batters he faced – punching out 228 in 176.2 innings.

Tyler Glasnow (TB) +2400
Glasnow was on his way to a breakout campaign last season before a forearm strain shut him down for nearly four months. Prior to his injury, he posted ridiculous numbers. In 60.2 innings, he posted a 1.86 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, while striking out 76 batters – good for an elite 30.1% K rate.

With no workload restrictions this season, Glasnow is my favorite value play on the board.

Best Longshot

Robbie Ray (ARI) +3600
While control remains an issue, Ray has averaged a 12.1 K/9 over the last three seasons. In 2019, he fanned 235 batters in a mere 174.1 innings.

A free agent after this year, Ray has the upside and motivation to put up big numbers.

My Pick: You’re playing with fire anytime you go against Gerrit Cole – but I’m taking Tyler Glasnow at +2400 to be the 2020 MLB strikeout leader at FanDuel Sportsbook

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Jordan Anderson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jordan, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @Jordan_A03.