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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes reacts in the dugout after pitching the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins as we look at the strikeout leader odds.
Pictured: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes reacts in the dugout after pitching the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins. Photo by Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images.

Paul Skenes and Garrett Crochet seem to seek maximum embarrassment for opposing batters whenever they're on the mound, which is why those two are the co-favorites in the early 2025 MLB strikeouts leader odds.

They're getting a price of +700 one month before pitchers and catchers report for spring training, with a sizeable gap between them and defending AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in third. He's receiving +1100 odds, with Dylan Cease and Blake Snell following at +1800.

Skubal led the league in strikeouts last season, though his 228 punchouts were notably lower than what the leader has posted in most other recent campaigns over the past decade (see the table below).

Strikeouts leader odds 2025

(MLB strikeouts leader odds based on the top MLB odds)

A few quick observations:

  • Only one of our best MLB betting sites is offering this market so far with Caesars standing alone, though that will surely change soon.
  • Long shots frequently emerge in this market, which was the case with Skubal at +3500 odds entering last season, and now it's worth keeping an eye on Zack Wheeler, the Philadelphia Phillies hurler who's fresh off a 224-strikeout campaign
  • Gerrit Cole is getting similar long-shot odds, and he could be primed for a bounce back after an injury-shortened season

Strikeouts leader odds favorite

Paul Skenes strikeout leader odds (+700)

Skenes is in the process of redefining what it means to hurl flames. He incredibly finished third in Cy Young odds voting as a rookie before settling for taking the MLB Rookie of the Year odds honors.

He did that while needing just 133 innings to mow down 170 batters, leading to a K/9 of 11.5. Now expectations are sky high enter his first full season, and the power pitcher is set to be a force in this market.

Best odds: +700 via Caesars | Implied probability: 12.50%

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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 Caesars | Implied probability: 12.50%

Strikeouts leader odds player to watch

Tarik Skubal strikeout leader odds (+1100)

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.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal celebrates after striking out Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Christopher Morel as we analyze the strikeout leader odds.
Pictured: Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal celebrates after striking out Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Christopher Morel during the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Photo by Junfu Han/USA Network via Imagn Images.

That's why he's among the contenders, though a rung below the top tier. 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.

Best odds: +1100 via Caesars | Implied probability: 8.33%

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)YearClosing 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 and Garrett Crochet are the co-favorites to lead MLB in strikeouts during the 2025 season with both getting +700 odds. That leads to an implied probability of 12.50%

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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