Best MLB Strikeout Pitcher Matchups — Monday, March 30, 2026
Top strikeout spot: Chase Burns
Chase Burns (CIN) is the best strikeout matchup on the board at 100, projected for about 7.7 K against PIT. He's missing bats at a 33% clip — strikeouts per batter faced — and PIT has been whiff-prone, going down 24% of the time. He's lined up for about 23 batters, so the volume's there for a big number.
The rest of the top of the board
- Edward Cabrera (CHC) (63) — about 6.3 K vs LAA: a 26% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 23% of the time.
- Kris Bubic (KC) (54) — about 6.2 K vs MIN: a 26% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 23% of the time.
- Jacob Lopez (ATH) (46) — about 6.0 K vs ATL: a 27% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 22% of the time.
- Michael Soroka (AZ) (45) — about 5.9 K vs DET: a 24% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 23% of the time.
- Luis Castillo (SEA) (45) — about 5.3 K vs NYY: a 23% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 23% of the time.
Whiffiest lineups to attack today
- ATH is striking out 25% of the time in this spot — Bryce Elder is the arm to exploit it (29).
- COL is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Cody Ponce is the arm to exploit it (32).
- PIT is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Chase Burns is the arm to exploit it (100).
- CWS is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Chris Paddack is the arm to exploit it (23).
How it played out
The top 10 starts averaged 5.1 strikeouts. Top play Chase Burns punched out 7. We grade every projection against the box score so you can see how the board held up.
How to read these strikeout matchups
Each starter's score (0–100) weighs his strikeout ability against every hitter in the lineup, hand by hand, then factors in how deep he tends to pitch and his command. Higher means more whiffs point his way. The exact weighting is our own — we project a strikeout count and grade every start against what actually happened.