MLB Strikeouts Leader Odds 2025: Skenes Favored as Spring Training Begins
Paul Skenes regularly turns professional hitters into human pretzels, and he's unsurprisingly the favorite in the 2025 MLB strikeouts leader odds.
The Pittsburgh Pirates hurler was previously sharing the top spot with new Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet when this market opened back in December at our best MLB betting sites. But Skenes has since opened up a sizable lead while sitting at +475, with Crochet back at +700.
Behind them is Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers' gem who led the league in punchouts last year, though his 228 only narrowly edged out Chris Sale at 225, while Dylan Cease and Zack Wheeler were tied at 224.
Strikeouts leader odds 2025
The MLB strikeouts leader odds are based on the top MLB odds.
A few quick observations:
- There's a clear top tier, as only three hurlers are listed at +1000 or below, with a sizable gap after Skubal to Cease
- Long shots frequently emerge in this market, which was the case with Skubal at +3500 odds entering last season. Now it's worth keeping an eye on Wheeler, who finished only four strikeouts back of Skubal, and his profitable price
- Gerrit Cole is getting even longer odds at +5000, and he could be primed for a bounce back after an injury-shortened campaign
Strikeouts leader odds favorite
Paul Skenes strikeout leader odds (+475)
Skenes is in the process of redefining what it means to hurl flames. He incredibly finished third in the Cy Young odds voting as a rookie before settling for taking the MLB Rookie of the Year odds honors. Now, as we head into just his second season, we're wondering if Paul Skenes can win the 2025 NL Cy Young.
He needed just 133 innings to mow down 170 batters as a rookie, leading to a K/9 of 11.5. Expectations are sky-high entering his first full season, and the power pitcher is set to be a force in this market.
Unfortunately, those who didn't pounce early have likely already missed the best price on Skenes. He was listed alongside Crochet at +700 through Caesars in mid-December. Now he's down to +475, representing an implied probability movement from 12.50% to 17.39%.
Best odds: +475 via Caesars | Implied probability: 17.39%
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Garrett Crochet strikeout leader odds (+700)
Skenes is an imposing strikeout threat, but Garrett Crochet is downright scary too.
His first campaign as a full-time starter last season ended with an even more impressive K/9 of 12.9, which included six double-digit strikeout games. That's given him his rightful spot alongside Skenes by the odds.
However, moving to the Boston Red Sox and the AL East means dealing with power-filled offenses more frequently.
Best odds: +700 via ESPN BET | Implied probability: 12.50%
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Tarik Skubal strikeout leader odds (+900)
Skubal's strikeouts jumped significantly during his Cy Young-winning season last year. He finished at 228, and his previous career single-season high was 164.
That's why he's among the contenders. Toss in a full season from Skenes, and Skubal could face an uphill battle to maintain the strikeout crown.
But he's certainly demonstrated the punchout prowess to give himself a chance, and getting a pitcher who's already led the league in this category at such comparably longer odds next to Skenes is appealing. However, you'll need to act soon, as Skubal has moved from +1100 to +900.
Best odds: +900 via Caesars | Implied probability: 10%
How to bet on MLB strikeouts leader odds
Betting on the MLB strikeouts leader odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering MLB strikeouts leader futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their MLB strikeouts leader chances.
The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role too. If many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.
How to read MLB strikeouts leader odds
Reading MLB strikeouts leader odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of leading MLB in strikeouts.
MLB strikeouts leader odds are typically presented in American odds. Those odds use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.
When reading MLB strikeouts leader odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of winning the award, while higher odds suggest a player is considered less likely to win. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance, team success, and narrative appeal when evaluating MLB strikeouts leader odds.
It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that MLB strikeouts leader odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.
Recent MLB strikeouts leaders
| Player (Total) | Year | Closing odds |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal (228) | 2024 | +3500 |
| Spencer Strider (281) | 2023 | +900 |
| Gerrit Cole (257) | 2022 | +475 |
| Robbie Ray (248) | 2021 | +2500 |
| Shane Bieber (122*) | 2020 | +1500 |
| Gerrit Cole (326) | 2019 | +300 (part of "Field") |
| Max Scherzer (300) | 2018 | +400 |
| Chris Sale (308) | 2017 | +1000 |
| Max Scherzer (284) | 2016 | +550 |
| Clayton Kershaw (301) | 2015 | +500 |
| David Price (271) | 2014 | +450 (part of "Field") |
*Pandemic-shortened season
Strikeouts leader FAQs
Who's the favorite to lead MLB in strikeouts during 2025?
Paul Skenes is the favorite to lead MLB in strikeouts during the 2025 season while getting +475 odds. That leads to an implied probability of 17.39%
Who led MLB in strikeouts during 2024?
Detroit Tigers ace and eventual AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal led MLB in strikeouts during the 2024 season while amassing 228, finishing narrowly ahead of Chris Sale (225) and Dylan Cease and Zack Wheeler (224 each).
When will the 2025 MLB strikeouts leader be decided?
Whoever leads MLB in strikeouts at the conclusion of the regular season will win this market. The 2025 season ends on Sept. 28.
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