MLB player prop betting is heating up, with several exciting strikeout props available for April 12, 2025. Top prop bets feature ace Cristopher Sanchez from the Philadelphia Phillies, who boasts an impressive 34% strikeout rate. His matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, who struggle against left-handed pitchers, makes the OVER 5.5 strikeouts at +125 an enticing choice. Conversely, Miles Mikolas of the Cardinals is projected to fall short on his UNDER 3.5 strikeouts, backed by a low 10% strikeout rate and the Phillies' disciplined offense.

Jordan Hicks of the San Francisco Giants is highlighted for his OVER 4.5 strikeouts, especially facing a Yankees lineup that swings freely. Andrew Heaney, pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is also recommended for OVER 5.5 strikeouts against a struggling Reds offense. For value, Trevor Williams is set at OVER 4.5 strikeouts against the Marlins, who are noted for their high strikeout rate. Finally, Luis Ortiz might hit the UNDER 4.5 strikeouts due to his lack of swing-and-miss stuff. With multiple opportunities, it's a day ripe for strikeout prop betting.

The Philadelphia Phillies are set to continue their three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday. This matchup starts at 2:15 PM, featuring Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who has a 4.09 ERA with no wins yet this season, against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas, whose ERA has ballooned to 11.25 after suffering a loss in his last outing.

If you're in the Philadelphia market, tune into NBCSP+ to catch the game live, while additional streaming options include platforms such as FuboTV, Hulu, Peacock, and YouTube TV. For those looking for radio coverage, 94WIP and WDEL 101.7 FM/1150 AM will have you covered. Notably, the Phillies will also be featured on Apple TV+ this season for select games, available with a subscription.

The MLB season's early weeks serve as a predictive window for pitching performance, often revealing breakout talents. A year ago, Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal showcased their potential with impressive ERAs and strikeout rates, foreshadowing their eventual successes. As fantasy managers, it's crucial to analyze these small samples closely, balancing skepticism with the potential for significant gains.

Identifying pitchers to target is essential, as five players in particular are emerging as key assets this season. Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves, despite workload concerns post-Tommy John surgery, is proving to be a Cy Young contender with a refined pitching repertoire. Cristopher Sanchez of the Phillies is another standout, showing a remarkable increase in sinker velocity and command. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore is leveraging secondary pitches effectively to improve his strikeout rates.

Casey Mize and Jesús Luzardo present intriguing opportunities as well; Mize is enhancing his game with a revamped splitter, while Luzardo, despite injury history, is showcasing elite fastball velocity. Managing these pitchers carefully can result in significant fantasy rewards as the season progresses.

The 2025 MLB season is heating up with predictions flying high as experts weigh in on standout players and potential surprises. Cristopher Sánchez is expected to finish top three in NL Cy Young voting, with Spencer Schwellenbach and Jack Leiter also eyeing significant WAR totals and awards as they showcase their talents. Meanwhile, Pete Alonso aims for a career-high 135 RBIs, leveraging a refreshed batting approach with power hitters Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor ahead of him. The Seattle Mariners, on the other hand, are feared to finish last in the AL West, while Mike Trout aims for his first Gold Glove after switching to right field.

The Dodgers head to Philadelphia today for a critical matchup against the Phillies, aiming to clinch their series with a third victory. Tyler Glasnow, boasting a flawless 0.00 ERA in his first start, faces off against Cristopher Sánchez, who has a respectable 1.69 ERA. Both teams have split the first two games of this series, with Los Angeles winning yesterday's contest 3-1, powered by home runs from Kike Hernandez and Michael Conforto. The pitching performance from the Dodgers was stellar as they limited the Phillies to just four hits and one earned run while collectively striking out eight.

For today's game, the betting odds favor the Dodgers with a moneyline of -128 and a spread of -1.5. Recent trends suggest the Dodgers have performed well, winning four of their last five games, while the Phillies have struggled offensively, scoring only seven runs in their past three outings. With a total of 7.0 runs projected for today, expectations lean toward a low-scoring affair given recent performances.