MLB strikeout props for 5/21: Schmidt happens

We started the week strong with a 2-1 mark in strikeout props on Monday, and our only loss was on Reese Olson, who got hit by a line drive in the third inning and had to leave the game early. Not much we can do about that.

Let's go for the 3-0 sweep on Tuesday with our three favorite K props. 

Clarke Schmidt over 6.5 Ks (-112 FanDuel)

Mariners at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET

Clarke Schmidt is off to a great start this season. The New York Yankees starter is on pace to record career-best marks in whiff rate (29.4 percent), strikeout rate (27.0 percent) and zone contact rate (77.6 percent). Now he gets to face a Seattle Mariners lineup that ranks dead last in MLB in strikeout rate (27.9 percent), and that number shoots up to an abysmal 32.2 percent against right-handed pitching. This is a great matchup for Clarke to keep it rolling.

Jon Gray under 5.5 Ks (-130 DraftKings)

Rangers at Phillies, 6:40 p.m. ET

Jon Gray has been a boom-or-bust strikeout pitcher so far this season. In his 10 starts this year, the Texas Rangers right-hander has struck out seven or more batters five times and four or fewer batters five times. We're expecting more of the latter against a Philadelphia Phillies lineup that has an impressive 15.5 percent K rate over the last week, which is the best mark in MLB in that span. Gray also has a 20.5 percent strikeout rate against current Phillies hitters, which is much lower than his career K rate of 23.5 percent. 

Cristian Javier over 5.5 Ks (+126 FD)

Angels at Astros, 8:10 p.m. ET

After giving up seven earned runs to the Detroit Tigers in just 1.1 innings of work, Cristian Javier bounced back nicely with six scoreless innings and a season-high eight strikeouts against the Oakland Athletics. He has a good chance to keep that momentum rolling against the Los Angeles Angels. In 57 combined plate appearances against Javier, current Angels hitters are batting just .212 with a whopping 40.4 percent K rate. Javier cleared this line twice in three starts against Los Angeles last season, so we like the plus money on this over.