MLB strikeout props for 4/25: Nice spot to fade M's Luis Castillo 

We got back on track with a 2-1 mark in strikeout props on Wednesday, and we're looking to keep that momentum rolling to the back half of the week. Here are our three favorite K props for Thursday's MLB slate.  

Nick Martinez over 4.5 Ks (+124 FanDuel)

Phillies vs. Reds, 1:10 p.m. ET

You won't love this bet if you just look at Nick Martinez's stats this year. The Cincinnati Reds right-hander has gone under 4.5 strikeouts in three of his first four starts, and his K rate (18.9 percent) and whiff rate (22.3 percent) aren't very impressive. Where he excels, though, is forcing hitters to chase pitches out of the zone, as Martinez ranks in the 94th percentile in chase rate (36.2 percent) this season. Well, the Philadelphia Phillies have the eighth-highest chase rate and the third-lowest chase contact rate in MLB, which explains why Martinez has a 34.5 percent strikeout rate against current Phillies hitters. 

Cole Ragans over 5.5 Ks (-118 FD)

Blue Jays vs. Royals, 2:10 p.m. ET

This is a tough matchup for Cole Ragans. The Toronto Blue Jays rank fourth in MLB in strikeout rate, fourth in whiff rate and third in chase rate. They also have the fewest strikeouts against left-handed pitching, but we're betting on talent here. Ragans has the seventh-best whiff rate in the league among qualified pitchers, and he's cleared 5.5 Ks in three of his five starts. This number is too low for one of the best strikeout artists in baseball. 

Luis Castillo under 5.5 Ks (-118 FD)

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

It's never fun to take an under on Luis Castillo, but this is a decent spot to fade him. The Seattle Mariners starter is on pace to record the lowest whiff rate of his career (26.5 percent), and this is a tough matchup against the Texas Rangers. Texas has the seventh-lowest strikeout rate (19.6 percent) in the league this season. Current Rangers hitters are also striking out just 18.9 percent of the time against Castillo in 71 plate appearances.