Daily Strikeout Leader: Lucas Giolito Can Come Through Versus the Giants

Each day on FanDuel Sportsbook, there is no shortage of MLB odds to sift through, and you're likely familiar with a lot of them. That includes strikeout props, which are entertaining because they add importance to each pitch.

FanDuel Sportsbook has cranked that up a few notches with its daily strikeout leader market. Not only do you need your guys to rack up Ks -- you need them to get more punchouts than any of the day's other starting pitchers.

Here are today's odds in that market along with some key strikeout numbers -- including strikeouts per start (K/Start), strikeout rate (K%), and called-strike-plus-whiff rate (CSW%).

The Clear Favorite

Max Scherzer (+240) isn't necessarily the best pitcher on this slate, but with the way the matchups break down -- both for him and for the slate's other top arms -- Scherzer is a pretty big favorite to lead the night in strikeouts.

The matchup with the Oakland Athletics is about as good as it gets, and Scherzer owns a 12.8% swinging-strike rate and 29.4% strikeout rate across his last six starts, a stretch that includes a nine-punchout game in his first turn with the Texas Rangers.

He's the clear favorite for a reason. There are some other intriguing options, though.

A Solid Second Tier

Lucas Giolito and Zack Wheeler both stand out at +1000.

Giolito is my pick between the two. He's facing a San Francisco Giants offense that can do damage versus righties (.316 wOBA) but also strikes out a lot in the split (24.8%, fourth-highest). With a 25.0% strikeout rate, Giolito has the stuff to have a big day in this matchup if he's locked in.

Wheeler should have a lot of success against the Washington Nationals, but the Nats just don't strike out much. Washington's 18.9% strikeout rate against right-handers is the second-lowest clip. Wheeler will need to be at his best to push for double-digit Ks in this one. He's amassed just nine punchouts over 8 2/3 innings across two starts versus Washington this season.

Let's Kut a Deal

While I'm varying levels of intrigued by Braxton Garrett (+1800), Logan Gilbert (+2300) and Eduardo Rodriguez (+2000), Kutter Crawford jumps out to me at his +5500 number. That's a really big number for a guy who is pitching well and has a sublime matchup.

Crawford is at home versus the Kansas City Royals. Against righties, KC has the fourth-worst wOBA (.293) and the 11th-highest strikeout rate (23.5%). Crawford is on a heater, pitching to a 29.5% strikeout rate over his last four starts, but the dude might actually be good as he's got a 24.8% strikeout rate and 3.68 FIP since the start of June (12 starts). I'm willing to roll the dice on him at +5500.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.