MLB pitchers are some of the most sought-after players on whom sports bettors place prop bets. Prop bets, or proposition bets, allow you to bet on specific outcomes within a game rather than the final result. With regards to pitchers, this can include anything from strikeouts to innings pitched.
So, who are the most bet-on pitchers throughout the big leagues? These pitchers have dominated the mound and commanded respect on the bet slips — here’s why.
Seth Lugo, pitching for the Kansas City Royals, has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Dominant on the mound for the Royals, Lugo has appeared in ten games, boasting an impressive win-loss record of 8-1. His earned run average (ERA) is a stellar 1.74, over 65.1 innings pitched. That places him among only 4 MLB pitchers with an ERA under 2.00.
He has struck out 61 batters while maintaining a walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) of just 0.968. When it comes to prop bets, these are the numbers you’re going to look at to see if the SP is the real deal. These stats underscore Lugo's effectiveness on the mound, making him a prime candidate for various prop bets.
One of the standout moments of Lugo's season so far was achieving a career-high 12 strikeouts in a game against the Angels, becoming the fourth Royals pitcher to accomplish at least 12 strikeouts with no walks in a game. If that doesn’t impress you, we don’t know what will.
This performance highlights his strikeout potential, especially against teams with high strikeout rates. His low ERA and WHIP also indicate that he’s excellent at keeping runners off the bases, and the defense behind him does its job, too, which makes him a strong pick for bets on total innings pitched or earned runs allowed.
Ranger Suárez of the Philadelphia Phillies has been a revelation this season. He’s quickly showing the league that he deserves the coveted Cy Young. However, there’s a lot of baseball left in the 2024 season.
Suárez has played in 11 games, with an unblemished win-loss record of 9-0. His ERA stands at a remarkable 1.75 over 72 innings pitched. With 77 strikeouts and a ridiculous WHIP of 0.819, Suárez’s numbers are impressive and make him a reliable choice for prop bets. He continuously beats out the 6.5+ over/under on the Ks.
While there is still a ton of baseball left in the season, Ranger is strong and never lets back. Want to put bets on a starting pitcher? Give him a shot.
Tyler Glasnow of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been delivering solid performances all season long. He has played in 12 games with a win-loss record of 6-3 and an ERA of 3.04 over 74 innings pitched. Glasnow has amassed 95 strikeouts, which leads all of MLB in Ks, with the second only being 85. He currently maintains a WHIP of 0.92, which is impressive in itself. His high strikeout rate makes him an exciting player for prop bets focused on strikeouts.
Glasnow’s ability to strike out batters is highlighted by his game against the Mets, where he struck out eight batters over seven innings while allowing just two runs. Betting on Glasnow to hit strikeout milestones can be lucrative. His ERA and WHIP, while higher than some of his peers, are still very respectable. However, we’ve expected better from the Dodgers this Year. Regardless, this makes him a good option for bets on total innings pitched and runs allowed. He goes deep in games and keeps the runs at bay.
Another Phillies pitcher, Zack Wheeler, has also had a stellar season. The rotation in Philadelphia is absolutely dominating this year.
Wheeler has played in 12 games, with a win-loss record of 6-3. His ERA is an impressive 2.32, over 73.2 innings pitched. Wheeler has struck out 85 batters, which puts him right behind Glasnow, and maintains a decent WHIP of 0.95, highlighting his consistency and effectiveness on the mound.
Wheeler’s ability to dominate a game was showcased when he completed seven no-hit innings on April 20, 2024. We were hoping he was going to go all the way, but his efficiency wasn’t quite there, and he ended up throwing 106 pitches to exit the game in the 7th. If he can be a little more efficient, you’re going to see a no-hitter this season.
His strikeout numbers and low ERA and WHIP make him a solid pick for bets on total strikeouts, innings pitched, and even earned runs allowed. His ability (and his defense, to their credit) to keep opponents off the bases and limit scoring opportunities makes him a solid choice for countless prop bets.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers is another pitcher to watch. While lefties don’t get the recognition some others do, Tarik is showing that he’s every bit in contention for a Cy Young.
Skubal has appeared in 11 games, with a win-loss record of 7-1 and an ERA of 2.1, over 67 innings pitched. He has struck out 80 batters and maintains a WHIP of 0.85, which highlights his dominance on the mound.
Skubal’s 13-strikeout game this season showcases his strikeout potential, though he hasn’t been completely consistent. Basically, when he’s whiffing them, he’s really whiffing them. His ERA and WHIP are among the best in the league, indicating his effectiveness in limiting baserunners and runs.
Betting on Skubal to achieve high strikeout totals is a smart move, especially against teams that tend to swing on the ball. He’s got a few pitches in his arsenal. His ability to pitch deep into games and maintain a low ERA makes him a reliable option for bets on total innings pitched and earned runs allowed.
These five pitchers – Seth Lugo, Ranger Suárez, Tyler Glasnow, Zack Wheeler, and Tarik Skubal – have demonstrated exceptional performances in the 2024 MLB season, and if they keep throwing like they’ve done this far, we’re in for quite a race for the Cy Young.
Their stats highlight their strengths and make them prime candidates for various prop bets such as Ks and ERs. Whether you're looking to bet on strikeouts, innings pitched, or earned runs allowed, these pitchers offer great value and potential for some pretty lucrative bets.
As always, take a look at the opposing team's strengths and weaknesses, and stay updated on any changes in player conditions to make the most informed betting decisions.