MLB Best Player Props Today – May 23rd, 2025

There are a few interesting matchups to look at for MLB player props today. As usual, I’ll focus on starting pitchers because I’ve had more success projecting performance on the mound compared to at the plate. We’re riding with strikeout props today, including three spots that give us a bit of an edge.

Today’s player props include Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd against the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals rookie Noah Cameron taking on the Minnesota Twins, and Houston Astros righty Ryan Gusto going up against the Seattle Mariners.

Read on to find my best MLB player props for May 23, 2025. Let’s try to go undefeated in this week’s picks.

Note: Odds were correct at the time of writing.

Matthew Boyd Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-148) at FanDuel

Boyd has been a nice surprise for the Cubs, featuring a 2.98 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. These numbers are supported by advanced metrics, as highlighted by a 3.54 SIERA.

The veteran lefty has been performing even better lately. Just take a look at his recent game log:

• 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
• 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
• 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
• 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

That works out to an impressive 29-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last four outings, spanning 23 innings. Boyd was able to get to six or more strikeouts in each of these four starts.

This is a great spot against the Reds, who have a 24.6% strikeout rate against lefties this year, which ranks 22nd in MLB. 

While we’re paying a hefty price at (-148) odds, it’s worth a look due to the favorable number at 5.5. Boyd has shown a high ceiling recently, racking up eight strikeouts in back-to-back outings. There’s a reasonable chance that he can sail over this number.

Odds Comparison for Matthew Boyd Over 5.5 Strikeouts

Sportsbook	Odds
FanDuel	-148
Caesars	-148
DraftKings	-160
Hard Rock Bet	-165
Fliff	-170

Noah Cameron Over 3.5 Strikeouts (-150) at bet365

Cameron has performed well in two starts since being recalled to the Royals, combining for one run allowed on only three hits in 12.2 innings.

The one thing that has been lacking has been strikeouts, as the 25-year-old has only six punchouts during this stretch, staying under 3.5 in each of those outings.

With that said, I’m on over 3.5 strikeouts in this spot. For one, Cameron’s previous two matchups were against teams that have lower strikeout rates against lefties, including the Cardinals (22.8 K%, 12th) and Rays (22.5 K%, 11th).

Tonight’s start comes against the Twins, which is a much easier matchup for strikeouts, as they have a 25.3 K%, which ranks 24th in MLB.

It’s also worth noting that Cameron was a much more prolific strikeout pitcher in the minors, as highlighted by a 28.6 K% this season. The Royals lefty has registered a 27+ K% in every year of his career.

In other words, there’s a reasonable chance that his low strikeout output is going to change soon. Why not in an exploitable matchup against the Twins?

While we’re paying (-150) on over 3.5 strikeouts, this is a low number that is moving quickly, having already gotten to 4.5 at FanDuel. It wouldn’t surprise me if Cameron comfortably eclipsed 3.5 tonight.

Odds Comparison for Noah Cameron Over 3.5 Strikeouts

Sportsbook	Odds
bet365	-150
Hard Rock Bet	-150
DraftKings	-160
Fliff	4.5 strikeouts (+120)
FanDuel	4.5 strikeouts (+110)

Ryan Gusto Over 4.5 Strikeouts (+130) at bet365

Gusto has put up a 22.7% strikeout rate in 31 innings this season, but he deserves a bit better, as highlighted by a 12.1% swinging-strike rate. For context, this 12.1 SwStr% would be tied with Kodai Senga for 38th in MLB.

While Gusto has been in and out of the rotation, he’s racked up six strikeouts in three of four starts, ranging from four to 5.2 innings.

We’ve got a good matchup on tap vs the Mariners, who have a 26% strikeout rate against righties in the last 14 days, which ranks 29th in MLB.

We’re getting an appealing price of (+130) odds at bet365, especially when you consider that this is as short as (+102) at FanDuel.

Even though there’s a good chance that Gusto only goes five innings in this start, I’m willing to take a shot due to the exploitable matchup and (+130) odds.

Odds Comparison for Ryan Gusto Over 4.5 Strikeouts

Sportsbook	Odds
bet365	+130
DraftKings	+125
Hard Rock Bet	+120
Caesars	+113
FanDuel	+102