MLB K-props for Thursday 4/11: Fade Whitlock against the O's

We've been bleeding out a bit since our 2-1 start to the week in strikeout props, but that won't stop us from firing bullets. Let's get back on track with our three favorite K props for Thursday's MLB slate. 

JP Sears under 4.5 Ks (+115 DraftKings)

Athletics vs. Rangers, 2:35 p.m. ET

It's been a brutal start to the season for JP Sears. The Oakland Athletics left-hander has given up nine earned runs and managed only two strikeouts over his first two starts. It's a small sample size, but Sears ranks dead last among 145 qualified pitchers in strikeout rate (4.5 percent) and 137th in whiff rate (16.3 percent), per Baseball Savant. The Texas Rangers have the second-lowest strikeout rate (17.7 percent) in MLB this year, so there's no reason this under should be plus money. 

Jared Jones 7+ strikeouts (+144 FanDuel)

Pirates vs. Phillies, 6:40 p.m. ET

Boy, what a start it's been to Jared Jones' MLB career. The rookie is 1-1 through two starts with a 3.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts. The advanced stats have been even more impressive, though. Jones ranks No. 1 among qualified pitchers in swing rate (61.5 percent) and No. 2 in whiff rate (41.3). Now he gets to face an aggressive Philadelphia Phillies lineup that loves to swing. The Phillies have the sixth-highest swing rate, the third-lowest chase contact rate and the eighth-highest strikeout rate in the league. Jones recorded at least seven strikeouts in each of two starts this season, and we like his chances of doing it again. 

Garrett Whitlock under 4.5 Ks (+124 FD)

Orioles vs. Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. ET

Garrett Whitlock has a 30.8 percent strikeout rate through two starts, but that number is a bit deceiving. He racked up eight punch outs in his season debut against the Seattle Mariners, the worst team in MLB in terms of strikeout rate. He also has a whiff rate of only 14.8 percent, which ranks 139th out of 145 qualified pitchers. Whitlock is due for some regression in the K department, and it should come against a Baltimore Orioles team that strikes out only 19.8 percent of the time.