Which pitcher has the best strikeout matchup today (Saturday, April 18, 2026)?

Chris Sale (ATL) — top of the board at 100, projected for about 5.9 K against PHI. A 26% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 22% of the time.

What are the best pitcher strikeout props today?

The top projected-K starts on Saturday, April 18, 2026: Chris Sale (~5.9 K), Nathan Eovaldi (~5.8 K), Tarik Skubal (~5.6 K), Cristopher Sánchez (~5.5 K), Gavin Williams (~6.1 K). The full board ranks every starter.

How is the strikeout matchup score calculated?

It pairs each starter's strikeout rate (K/BF) with the strikeout rate of every hitter he faces, hand by hand, the log5 way — then scales by his expected batters faced (how deep he goes) and his command (K-BB%). Scores are set 0–100 across the slate, with a projected strikeout count alongside.

Is the strikeout board about pitchers or hitters?

Pitchers. Every card is a starting pitcher, ranked by how many strikeouts the matchup sets up — his stuff against the lineup he's facing. So a higher score is good for the pitcher (and his K prop), not the hitters.

What's the projected strikeout number?

A rough expected K total for the start, from how similar matchups have gone. It's a reference for comparing starters against each other, not a promise he throws exactly that many.

Strikeouts per batter faced — the share of hitters a pitcher strikes out. Around 22% is league average. Swing-and-miss starters run 30%+. We split it by batter handedness, which is what a daily matchup is asking.

What is K-BB%, and why does it matter?

Strikeout rate minus walk rate — a command-adjusted read on swing-and-miss skill, and one of the most stable, predictive pitcher numbers there is. A high-K-BB% arm misses bats without handing out free passes, which keeps the strikeout upside real.

Why does the opposing lineup matter so much?

A strikeout takes two. An elite arm gets fewer against a contact lineup, and a mid-rotation guy can pile them up against a whiff-prone one. The model reads each hitter's K rate vs the pitcher's hand, so the same starter grades very differently depending on who he draws.

What's the confidence meter?

How much data backs the read — sample size on the pitcher and the hitters he faces, plus whether the lineup's official. It's a measure of how solid the projection is, not a probability.

Can I use these for strikeout props or DFS?

Yes — that's the point. The board surfaces which starters have the best strikeout conditions and projects a count. Where there's a line, we show the over/under and which side our number leans. We don't post picks — we show the data and grade it. (Best-price odds and the Plays of the Day are a Pro feature.)

Are these confirmed or projected lineups?

Strikeout projections ride on the opposing lineup, so before a team posts officially (~2 hours before first pitch) we project it from their last game, then update once it's set. A pitcher facing a still-projected lineup is flagged so you know the number can still move.

Yes — the full board, every game page, and the daily archive, no login. Best-price odds and the betting tools are the paid tier.

Strikeouts Board · Archive

Best MLB strikeouts matchups — Saturday, April 18, 2026

Every starting pitcher on the Saturday, April 18, 2026 slate, scored — ranked by strikeout upside against today's lineup. Whiff rate, the bats he's facing, how deep he goes, and command. Higher means more K's. Results show how each start played out.

Final · 4–13

KCaway

NYYhomeTop matchup77 Final · 5–4

CINaway

MINhomeTop matchup80 Final · 2–4

NYMaway

CHChomeTop matchup74 Final · 8–7

TBaway

PIThomeTop matchup73 Final · 7–6

SFaway

WSHhomeTop matchup23 Final · 6–7

CWSaway

ATHhomeTop matchup59 Final · 4–1

DETaway

BOShomeTop matchup86 Final · 5–2

MILaway

MIAhomeTop matchup69 Final · 2–4

BALaway

CLEhomeTop matchup82 Final · 7–5

STLaway

HOUhomeTop matchup57 Final · 3–7

TEXaway

SEAhomeTop matchup99 Final · 3–1

ATLaway

PHIhomeTop matchup100 Final · 3–4

LADaway

COLhomeTop matchup81 Final · 2–6

TORaway

AZhomeTop matchup43 Final · 4–1

SDaway

LAAhomeTop matchup53

#Pitcher · MatchupScore

Pitcher Strikeout Rate25.6% K/BF

vs LHB22.3%

vs RHB26.8%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)19.4%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.9 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.3% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Trea Turner (R)19.4%3.0

2. Kyle Schwarber (L)29.8%3.0

3. Bryce Harper (L)20.2%3.0

4. Adolis García (R)22.0%3.0

5. Rafael Marchán (R)20.1%2.8

6. Alec Bohm (R)18.5%2.0

7. Felix Reyes (R)22.0%2.0

8. Edmundo Sosa (R)22.3%2.0

9. Dylan Moore (R)26.1%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate24.9% K/BF

vs LHB22.0%

vs RHB26.9%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)20.2%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.4 BF

Expected batters faced23.4

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.8 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness23.6% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. J.P. Crawford (L)21.3%3.0

2. Cal Raleigh (L)25.4%3.0

3. Julio Rodríguez (R)24.8%3.0

4. Josh Naylor (L)17.9%3.0

5. Randy Arozarena (R)19.9%3.0

6. Luke Raley (L)29.9%2.4

7. Dominic Canzone (L)20.9%2.0

8. Cole Young (L)23.8%2.0

9. Leo Rivas (L)28.7%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate25.6% K/BF

vs LHB24.9%

vs RHB24.9%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)17.7%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.2 BF

Expected batters faced23.2

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.6 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.2% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Roman Anthony (L)24.3%3.0

2. Andruw Monasterio (R)21.4%3.0

3. Willson Contreras (R)19.9%3.0

4. Trevor Story (R)21.9%3.0

5. Wilyer Abreu (L)20.0%3.0

6. Ceddanne Rafaela (R)24.3%2.3

7. Caleb Durbin (R)17.2%2.0

8. Connor Wong (R)21.3%2.0

9. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R)20.6%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate26.6% K/BF

vs LHB24.5%

vs RHB26.1%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)18.0%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.2 BF

Expected batters faced23.2

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.5 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness20.3% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Ronald Acuña Jr. (R)21.3%3.0

2. Drake Baldwin (L)19.3%3.0

3. Ozzie Albies (R)17.6%3.0

4. Matt Olson (L)24.8%3.0

5. Austin Riley (R)19.3%3.0

6. Mauricio Dubón (R)19.2%2.3

7. Eli White (R)20.9%2.0

8. Jonah Heim (R)18.0%2.0

9. Michael Harris II (L)22.3%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate26.5% K/BF

vs LHB26.0%

vs RHB24.6%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)11.8%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection6.1 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness23.4% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Gunnar Henderson (L)24.0%3.0

2. Taylor Ward (R)22.3%3.0

3. Pete Alonso (R)22.6%3.0

4. Dylan Beavers (L)23.4%3.0

5. Colton Cowser (L)24.4%2.8

6. Leody Taveras (L)19.9%2.0

7. Samuel Basallo (L)24.2%2.0

8. Coby Mayo (R)26.3%2.0

9. Jeremiah Jackson (R)23.5%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate22.1% K/BF

vs LHB20.6%

vs RHB24.5%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)15.7%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.6 BF

Expected batters faced22.6

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.7 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness24.5% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Edouard Julien (L)24.2%3.0

2. Mickey Moniak (L)22.9%3.0

3. TJ Rumfield (L)21.2%3.0

4. Hunter Goodman (R)27.5%3.0

5. Ezequiel Tovar (R)24.1%2.6

6. Troy Johnston (L)23.2%2.0

7. Brenton Doyle (R)28.6%2.0

8. Kyle Karros (R)23.9%2.0

9. Jordan Beck (R)24.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate27.2% K/BF

vs LHB28.9%

vs RHB22.6%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)12.9%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.1 BF

Expected batters faced23.1

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.9 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness23.7% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. TJ Friedl (L)21.5%3.0

2. Dane Myers (R)19.9%3.0

3. Elly De La Cruz (L)24.9%3.0

4. Sal Stewart (R)21.1%3.0

5. Eugenio Suárez (R)22.8%3.0

6. Matt McLain (R)25.5%2.1

7. Tyler Stephenson (R)25.6%2.0

8. Rece Hinds (R)26.3%2.0

9. Spencer Steer (R)25.6%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate24.4% K/BF

vs LHB22.3%

vs RHB25.5%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)19.1%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.0 BF

Expected batters faced22.0

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.2 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.3% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Jonathan India (R)22.8%3.0

2. Tyler Tolbert (R)23.0%3.0

3. Vinnie Pasquantino (L)17.6%3.0

4. Jac Caglianone (L)23.4%3.0

5. Carter Jensen (L)28.0%2.0

6. Michael Massey (L)20.7%2.0

7. Isaac Collins (L)22.9%2.0

8. Lane Thomas (R)23.2%2.0

9. Kyle Isbel (L)19.4%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate22.9% K/BF

vs LHB22.1%

vs RHB22.9%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)16.0%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.2 BF

Expected batters faced23.2

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.4 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.6% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Tyrone Taylor (R)21.6%3.0

2. Bo Bichette (R)22.0%3.0

3. Francisco Lindor (L)21.5%3.0

4. Luis Robert Jr. (R)24.4%3.0

5. MJ Melendez (L)24.9%3.0

6. Francisco Alvarez (R)19.7%2.2

7. Mark Vientos (R)24.4%2.0

8. Tommy Pham (R)24.5%2.0

9. Marcus Semien (R)20.4%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate25.4% K/BF

vs LHB25.7%

vs RHB22.4%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)15.5%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.1 BF

Expected batters faced22.1

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.4 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.0% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Oneil Cruz (L)27.1%3.0

2. Brandon Lowe (L)19.6%3.0

3. Bryan Reynolds (L)23.9%3.0

4. Jake Mangum (L)19.7%3.0

5. Marcell Ozuna (R)23.3%2.1

6. Nick Yorke (R)19.7%2.0

7. Spencer Horwitz (L)18.6%2.0

8. Konnor Griffin (R)21.3%2.0

9. Joey Bart (R)25.1%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate26.8% K/BF

vs LHB25.8%

vs RHB23.5%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)15.4%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts1

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.4 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness20.8% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Steven Kwan (L)14.3%3.0

2. Chase DeLauter (L)17.0%3.0

3. José Ramírez (L)16.2%3.0

4. Kyle Manzardo (L)27.8%3.0

5. Angel Martínez (L)21.8%2.8

6. Rhys Hoskins (R)25.7%2.0

7. Daniel Schneemann (L)25.2%2.0

8. Bo Naylor (L)22.3%2.0

9. Brayan Rocchio (L)17.0%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate21.4% K/BF

vs LHB20.5%

vs RHB22.9%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)17.9%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.9 BF

Expected batters faced23.9

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.1 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.7% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Brandon Nimmo (L)21.8%3.0

2. Corey Seager (L)23.0%3.0

3. Wyatt Langford (R)22.2%3.0

4. Jake Burger (R)23.8%3.0

5. Josh Smith (L)18.4%3.0

6. Josh Jung (R)19.9%2.9

7. Evan Carter (L)20.9%2.0

8. Ezequiel Duran (R)23.4%2.0

9. Kyle Higashioka (R)21.9%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate25.0% K/BF

vs LHB24.1%

vs RHB24.8%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)14.4%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.4 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.4% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Nico Hoerner (R)13.3%3.0

2. Michael Busch (L)24.7%3.0

3. Alex Bregman (R)17.3%3.0

4. Ian Happ (L)26.0%3.0

5. Seiya Suzuki (R)25.8%2.8

6. Carson Kelly (R)18.1%2.0

7. Miguel Amaya (R)24.7%2.0

8. Pete Crow-Armstrong (L)22.1%2.0

9. Dansby Swanson (R)21.0%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate23.4% K/BF

vs LHB22.4%

vs RHB24.3%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)17.1%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.0 BF

Expected batters faced23.0

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.2 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.5% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Jakob Marsee (L)20.8%3.0

2. Xavier Edwards (L)15.5%3.0

3. Agustín Ramírez (R)22.8%3.0

4. Liam Hicks (L)16.3%3.0

5. Otto Lopez (R)22.4%3.0

6. Connor Norby (R)26.2%2.0

7. Owen Caissie (L)28.7%2.0

8. Heriberto Hernández (R)22.9%2.0

9. Javier Sanoja (R)17.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate25.4% K/BF

vs LHB23.7%

vs RHB26.0%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)18.7%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload21.3 BF

Expected batters faced21.3

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.8 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness19.6% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Chandler Simpson (L)12.8%3.0

2. Junior Caminero (R)23.8%3.0

3. Ryan Vilade (R)23.4%3.0

4. Yandy Díaz (R)14.1%2.3

5. Jonny DeLuca (R)18.9%2.0

6. Cedric Mullins (L)21.3%2.0

7. Ben Williamson (R)20.7%2.0

8. Nick Fortes (R)19.8%2.0

9. Taylor Walls (L)21.5%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate21.0% K/BF

vs LHB20.5%

vs RHB21.7%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)14.3%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.1 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness23.7% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Amed Rosario (R)18.4%3.0

2. Ryan McMahon (L)24.4%3.0

3. Cody Bellinger (L)19.4%3.0

4. Giancarlo Stanton (R)24.9%3.0

5. Ben Rice (L)26.1%2.8

6. Randal Grichuk (R)24.8%2.0

7. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L)25.4%2.0

8. José Caballero (R)26.7%2.0

9. J.C. Escarra (L)23.2%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate24.5% K/BF

vs LHB25.0%

vs RHB21.9%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)12.0%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.5 BF

Expected batters faced22.5

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.3 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.1% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Andrew Benintendi (L)25.5%3.0

2. Luisangel Acuña (R)20.1%3.0

3. Miguel Vargas (R)19.8%3.0

4. Colson Montgomery (L)27.7%3.0

5. Everson Pereira (R)24.1%2.5

6. Sam Antonacci (L)18.3%2.0

7. Chase Meidroth (R)19.4%2.0

8. Tanner Murray (R)22.0%2.0

9. Reese McGuire (L)22.1%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate19.5% K/BF

vs LHB18.4%

vs RHB21.5%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)16.6%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload25.0 BF

Expected batters faced25.0

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.9 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.8% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Sal Frelick (L)17.8%3.0

2. William Contreras (R)15.7%3.0

3. Brice Turang (L)22.7%3.0

4. Gary Sánchez (R)24.1%3.0

5. Jake Bauers (L)23.6%3.0

6. Luis Rengifo (L)19.4%3.0

7. Garrett Mitchell (L)29.5%3.0

8. Brandon Lockridge (R)20.5%2.0

9. Joey Ortiz (R)22.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate23.6% K/BF

vs LHB22.5%

vs RHB23.9%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)15.1%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.3 BF

Expected batters faced22.3

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.0 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.6% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. JJ Wetherholt (L)18.9%3.0

2. Iván Herrera (R)16.4%3.0

3. Alec Burleson (L)15.7%3.0

4. Jordan Walker (R)25.3%3.0

5. Nolan Gorman (L)28.7%2.3

6. Masyn Winn (R)20.7%2.0

7. Ramón Urías (R)19.5%2.0

8. Nathan Church (L)23.4%2.0

9. Victor Scott II (L)25.6%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate23.1% K/BF

vs LHB23.4%

vs RHB22.7%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)13.4%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection5.0 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.0% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Ramón Laureano (R)20.9%3.0

2. Fernando Tatis Jr. (R)24.9%3.0

3. Jackson Merrill (L)21.0%3.0

4. Manny Machado (R)20.8%3.0

5. Xander Bogaerts (R)17.3%2.8

6. Bryce Johnson (R)21.8%2.0

7. Gavin Sheets (L)22.4%2.0

8. Freddy Fermin (R)21.3%2.0

9. Jake Cronenworth (L)18.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate19.8% K/BF

vs LHB21.5%

vs RHB19.0%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)12.1%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.5 BF

Expected batters faced22.5

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.9 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness24.4% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Zack Gelof (R)25.7%3.0

2. Shea Langeliers (R)23.6%3.0

3. Nick Kurtz (L)26.7%3.0

4. Tyler Soderstrom (L)20.3%3.0

5. Jacob Wilson (R)15.1%2.5

6. Denzel Clarke (R)32.6%2.0

7. Max Muncy (R)29.9%2.0

8. Lawrence Butler (L)23.7%2.0

9. Jack Perkins (R)22.0%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate19.3% K/BF

vs LHB19.4%

vs RHB20.2%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)13.4%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.1 BF

Expected batters faced22.1

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.7 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness23.1% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Zach Neto (R)26.1%3.0

2. Mike Trout (R)22.3%3.0

3. Bryce Teodosio (R)23.0%3.0

4. Jo Adell (R)23.3%3.0

5. Yoán Moncada (L)27.6%2.1

6. Oswald Peraza (R)20.2%2.0

7. Vaughn Grissom (R)19.3%2.0

8. Logan O'Hoppe (R)22.8%2.0

9. Adam Frazier (L)22.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate21.4% K/BF

vs LHB20.2%

vs RHB23.4%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)15.7%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload20.9 BF

Expected batters faced20.9

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.5 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.9% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Ketel Marte (L)21.5%3.0

2. Corbin Carroll (L)25.0%3.0

3. Geraldo Perdomo (L)15.0%2.9

4. Jorge Barrosa (L)29.3%2.0

5. Adrian Del Castillo (L)25.7%2.0

6. Jose Fernandez (R)25.8%2.0

7. Nolan Arenado (R)21.5%2.0

8. Ildemaro Vargas (L)17.1%2.0

9. Alek Thomas (L)24.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate18.2% K/BF

vs LHB23.5%

vs RHB16.1%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)6.2%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload21.8 BF

Expected batters faced21.8

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.9 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness23.6% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Shohei Ohtani (L)23.9%3.0

2. Kyle Tucker (L)20.0%3.0

3. Andy Pages (R)23.3%3.0

4. Freddie Freeman (L)17.9%2.8

5. Teoscar Hernández (R)27.1%2.0

6. Max Muncy (L)27.3%2.0

7. Dalton Rushing (L)26.7%2.0

8. Hyeseong Kim (L)25.3%2.0

9. Santiago Espinal (R)20.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate17.0% K/BF

vs LHB18.0%

vs RHB18.5%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)11.4%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.5 BF

Expected batters faced23.5

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.2 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.0% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. James Wood (L)29.5%3.0

2. Curtis Mead (R)22.3%3.0

3. Joey Wiemer (R)26.5%3.0

4. CJ Abrams (L)16.0%3.0

5. Jacob Young (R)20.9%3.0

6. Daylen Lile (L)17.2%2.5

7. Nasim Nuñez (L)19.4%2.0

8. Jorbit Vivas (L)19.0%2.0

9. Drew Millas (L)17.8%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate18.4% K/BF

vs LHB17.6%

vs RHB21.5%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)11.1%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.4 BF

Expected batters faced22.4

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.2 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.1% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Nathan Lukes (L)18.8%3.0

2. Ernie Clement (R)14.5%3.0

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R)17.5%3.0

4. Jesús Sánchez (L)22.3%3.0

5. Davis Schneider (R)26.1%2.4

6. Andrés Giménez (L)19.2%2.0

7. Kazuma Okamoto (R)29.9%2.0

8. Myles Straw (R)18.1%2.0

9. Tyler Heineman (L)23.6%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate17.7% K/BF

vs LHB20.1%

vs RHB17.8%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)7.0%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.3 BF

Expected batters faced23.3

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.4 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness22.5% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Kevin McGonigle (L)17.7%3.0

2. Gleyber Torres (R)18.5%3.0

3. Dillon Dingler (R)20.4%3.0

4. Riley Greene (L)24.1%3.0

5. Spencer Torkelson (R)24.6%3.0

6. Kerry Carpenter (L)27.6%2.3

7. Wenceel Pérez (L)21.3%2.0

8. Javier Báez (R)22.0%2.0

9. Jake Rogers (R)26.1%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate16.8% K/BF

vs LHB21.1%

vs RHB16.7%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)7.0%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload22.8 BF

Expected batters faced22.8

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection4.1 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.8% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Byron Buxton (R)22.4%3.0

2. Austin Martin (R)17.2%3.0

3. Kody Clemens (L)22.9%3.0

4. Ryan Jeffers (R)17.5%3.0

5. Luke Keaschall (R)20.0%2.8

6. Matt Wallner (L)28.5%2.0

7. Brooks Lee (R)19.5%2.0

8. Ryan Kreidler (R)22.1%2.0

9. Tristan Gray (L)26.0%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate15.4% K/BF

vs LHB17.3%

vs RHB17.0%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)8.3%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload23.1 BF

Expected batters faced23.1

From recent starts3

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection3.7 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness21.1% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Jose Altuve (R)18.5%3.0

2. Yordan Alvarez (L)15.9%3.0

3. Carlos Correa (R)18.4%3.0

4. Christian Walker (R)20.6%3.0

5. Isaac Paredes (R)21.4%3.0

6. Taylor Trammell (L)25.9%2.1

7. Cam Smith (R)22.6%2.0

8. Christian Vázquez (R)21.8%2.0

9. Shay Whitcomb (R)24.9%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Pitcher Strikeout Rate19.3% K/BF

vs LHB21.1%

vs RHB18.8%

K-BB% (command-adj. skill)4.7%

How often he strikes out the batters he faces, by hand.

Workload21.5 BF

Expected batters faced21.5

From recent starts4

How deep he tends to go — the strikeout-count multiplier.

Projection3.9 K

Expected strikeouts — each lineup spot's strikeout probability (his rate × the hitter's rate, combined via log5) summed across his projected plate appearances.

Opposing Lineup · K-Proneness20.4% avg

BatterK rateExp PA

1. Willy Adames (R)22.6%3.0

2. Luis Arraez (L)10.6%3.0

3. Matt Chapman (R)19.4%3.0

4. Rafael Devers (L)26.2%2.5

5. Casey Schmitt (R)22.3%2.0

6. Jung Hoo Lee (L)17.1%2.0

7. Heliot Ramos (R)24.4%2.0

8. Drew Gilbert (L)20.2%2.0

9. Daniel Susac (R)21.0%2.0

Each hitter's strikeout rate vs this pitcher's hand, and the plate appearances he's projected to see.

Best MLB Strikeout Pitcher Matchups — Saturday, April 18, 2026

Chris Sale (ATL) is the top strikeout start on the Saturday, April 18, 2026 board at 100, projected for about 5.9 K, with Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) right behind. Every starter on the slate is ranked by how many strikeouts the matchup sets up — his whiff rate, the lineup he's facing, how deep he goes, and his command. It's the same read DFS and strikeout-prop players make before lock.

Top strikeout spot: Chris Sale

Chris Sale (ATL) is the best strikeout matchup on the board at 100, projected for about 5.9 K against PHI. He's missing bats at a 26% clip — strikeouts per batter faced — and PHI has been around league average, going down 22% 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

Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) (99) — about 5.8 K vs SEA: a 25% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 24% of the time.
Tarik Skubal (DET) (86) — about 5.6 K vs BOS: a 26% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 21% of the time.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) (83) — about 5.5 K vs ATL: a 27% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 20% of the time.
Gavin Williams (CLE) (82) — about 6.1 K vs BAL: a 26% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 23% of the time.
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) (81) — about 5.7 K vs COL: a 22% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 24% of the time.

Whiffiest lineups to attack today

COL is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Emmet Sheehan is the arm to exploit it (81).
ATH is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Erick Fedde is the arm to exploit it (48).
NYY is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Noah Cameron is the arm to exploit it (60).
CIN is striking out 24% of the time in this spot — Taj Bradley is the arm to exploit it (80).

How it played out

The top 10 starts averaged 6.6 strikeouts. Top play Chris Sale 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) blends his strikeout rate against every hitter in the lineup — hand by hand, combined the log5 way — then scales by how deep he's been going (expected batters faced) and his command (K-BB%). Higher means more whiffs point his way. We project a strikeout count and grade every start against what actually happened.

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

Which pitcher has the best strikeout matchup today (Saturday, April 18, 2026)?: Chris Sale (ATL) — top of the board at 100, projected for about 5.9 K against PHI. A 26% K/BF arm into a lineup that whiffs 22% of the time.
What are the best pitcher strikeout props today?: The top projected-K starts on Saturday, April 18, 2026: Chris Sale (~5.9 K), Nathan Eovaldi (~5.8 K), Tarik Skubal (~5.6 K), Cristopher Sánchez (~5.5 K), Gavin Williams (~6.1 K). The full board ranks every starter.
How many strikeouts did the top matchup get on Saturday, April 18, 2026?: Chris Sale punched out 7.
How is the strikeout matchup score calculated?: It pairs each starter's strikeout rate (K/BF) with the strikeout rate of every hitter he faces, hand by hand, the log5 way — then scales by his expected batters faced (how deep he goes) and his command (K-BB%). Scores are set 0–100 across the slate, with a projected strikeout count alongside.
Is the strikeout board about pitchers or hitters?: Pitchers. Every card is a starting pitcher, ranked by how many strikeouts the matchup sets up — his stuff against the lineup he's facing. So a higher score is good for the pitcher (and his K prop), not the hitters.
What's the projected strikeout number?: A rough expected K total for the start, from how similar matchups have gone. It's a reference for comparing starters against each other, not a promise he throws exactly that many.
What does K/BF mean?: Strikeouts per batter faced — the share of hitters a pitcher strikes out. Around 22% is league average. Swing-and-miss starters run 30%+. We split it by batter handedness, which is what a daily matchup is asking.
What is K-BB%, and why does it matter?: Strikeout rate minus walk rate — a command-adjusted read on swing-and-miss skill, and one of the most stable, predictive pitcher numbers there is. A high-K-BB% arm misses bats without handing out free passes, which keeps the strikeout upside real.
Why does the opposing lineup matter so much?: A strikeout takes two. An elite arm gets fewer against a contact lineup, and a mid-rotation guy can pile them up against a whiff-prone one. The model reads each hitter's K rate vs the pitcher's hand, so the same starter grades very differently depending on who he draws.
What's the confidence meter?: How much data backs the read — sample size on the pitcher and the hitters he faces, plus whether the lineup's official. It's a measure of how solid the projection is, not a probability.
Can I use these for strikeout props or DFS?: Yes — that's the point. The board surfaces which starters have the best strikeout conditions and projects a count. Where there's a line, we show the over/under and which side our number leans. We don't post picks — we show the data and grade it. (Best-price odds and the Plays of the Day are a Pro feature.)
Are these confirmed or projected lineups?: Strikeout projections ride on the opposing lineup, so before a team posts officially (~2 hours before first pitch) we project it from their last game, then update once it's set. A pitcher facing a still-projected lineup is flagged so you know the number can still move.
Is MatchWiz free?: Yes — the full board, every game page, and the daily archive, no login. Best-price odds and the betting tools are the paid tier.