Sunday lineups in MLB can be a bit watered down with some key pieces sitting before the team travels to their next series, but that is of no concern for us today as this article is highlighting two overs on strikeout totals for talented pitchers. Let’s dive in!
Reid Detmers (LAA) over 5.5 strikeouts (-121)
The fantasy baseball and betting communities were a year early on predicting the Reid Detmers breakout as the talented southpaw received a ton of hype heading into the 2023 season. Detmers took a step back production wise, however, but now is seemingly making that leap in 2024. The former 10th overall draft pick in 2020 utilizes a 4-pitch arsenal with each offering receiving at least 15.4% usage. His 4-seamer leads the way with 48.8% usage and that pitch has performed extremely well, generating a 32.5% whiff rate while holding opponents to a .152 average. A slider and curveball provide Detmers with 2 breaking balls that can be used against either handedness, and he is comfortable using both pitches with 2 strikes. Against right-handers he whips out a changeup that generates a 35.1% whiff rate as well. Being able to use each of his pitches in any count helps him keep opponents off balance, and his stuff is electric as well.
Through 5 starts Detmers is generating a 13.9% swinging strike rate and a 29.9% called strike plus whiff rate. Both of those marks would be career highs, and this is someone that already posted a 10.17 K/9 last season. Reid punched out 7 Orioles in his season debut before 12 and 7 Ks in his next two starts, both against the Boston Red Sox. His last couple of outings have combined for just 8 Ks in a rematch with Baltimore and a start in Tampa, but today’s opponent sets him up well for a bounce back outing. Detmers will face the Minnesota Twins today, and the Twins are a strikeout heavy offense filled with bats willing to whiff. Minnesota is directly behind Oakland in leaguewide CSW%, and their overall contact rate is 3rd worst behind the Athletics and Rockies. The Twins have seen fewer southpaws than average so far this season, leaving their sample size of PA lacking to this point in the year. Still, Detmers should be able to work his way through the order and find a good num ber of 3rd strikes. The Twins love to take strikes, yet don’t have the contact skills in their lineup to play well from behind in the count. Detmers has thrown 90 or more pitches in 4 straight outings, and I expect 6 or more strikeouts in this matchup.