MLB Pitcher Strikeout Props for May 13, 2026: Misiorowski, Imanaga, and Cease Lead Tonight’s Slate

Strikeout props are one of the sharpest corners of the MLB betting market, and on May 13 there are three starting pitchers who stand out above the rest. Each of these starters enters tonight with the kind of form that makes their strikeout totals look achievable — and in some cases, conservative. Here is a breakdown of three pitcher strikeout props worth targeting tonight.

Jacob Misiorowski OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (-122) — MIL vs SD, 7:40 PM

Jacob Misiorowski has been the most dominant strikeout pitcher in baseball this season, and the numbers back that up in a big way. The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander leads the entire majors with a 14.3 K/9 rate in 2026, posting a 3-2 record with a 2.45 ERA, 70 strikeouts in 44 innings, and a 0.95 WHIP. That is elite-level production across every meaningful category.

Over his last eight starts, Misiorowski has recorded 11, 8, 9, 9, 5, 10, 7, and 11 strikeouts — an average of 8.8 per outing. The one start where he fell short (5 Ks) looks like a clear outlier. His most recent appearance on May 8 against the Yankees resulted in 11 strikeouts over 6 innings, showing he is locked in heading into tonight’s matchup with San Diego. The Padres have a manageable team strikeout rate, which should allow Misiorowski to pile up punchouts at his usual pace. This line is set at 7.5, and he has cleared that number five times in his last eight starts. The -122 juice reflects a prop that the market respects but has not overcorrected on yet.

Shota Imanaga OVER 5.5 Strikeouts (-114) — CHC @ ATL, 7:15 PM

Shota Imanaga has been one of the quietest success stories of the 2026 season, putting up numbers that deserve far more attention than they receive. The Chicago Cubs southpaw owns a 4-2 record with a 2.28 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through eight starts, racking up 53 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. His average of 6.63 strikeouts per game makes the 5.5 line look like a gift.

Imanaga’s most recent start on May 7 against Cincinnati produced 10 strikeouts, his best performance of the year. He is facing the Atlanta Braves tonight with JR Ritchie going the other way, meaning the Cubs offense could generate some run support and allow Imanaga to work deep into the game. Left-handed pitchers who mix their pitches effectively tend to generate solid strikeout numbers against right-heavy lineups, and Imanaga’s command profile makes him well-suited for this spot. At -114, this is one of the cleaner plays on the board tonight.

Dylan Cease OVER 6.5 Strikeouts (-112) — TOR vs TB, 7:07 PM

Dylan Cease has been a reliable strikeout option for the Toronto Blue Jays this season, averaging 8.2 punchouts per game across eight appearances. His 2026 line reads 3-1 with a 2.58 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 45.1 innings — the kind of production that makes the 6.5 line look more like a floor than a ceiling.

Cease is going up against the Tampa Bay Rays tonight, a lineup that tends to see a lot of pitches and make contact but also generates plenty of strikeout opportunities against high-octane starters. When Cease is locating his breaking ball, he is extremely difficult to square up, and his 8.2 average suggests he is going to eclipse 6.5 more often than not this season. The -112 odds make this one of the more approachable lines on the slate, and the matchup sets up well for another double-digit strikeout effort from a pitcher who has been quietly dominant all year. If you are building a DFS lineup or shopping for props on a platform like PrizePicks, Cease is worth strong consideration tonight.

Betting the Props: Key Takeaways

All three of these pitchers share a common thread: they are posting strikeout rates well above what their lines are asking for, and each matchup tonight plays into their strengths. Misiorowski is the biggest number of the three with the highest ceiling, but Imanaga at -114 and Cease at -112 offer excellent value relative to risk.

For context, the live MLB odds on these games will shift throughout the day, so locking in these props early is the smart play if you are targeting specific numbers. Strikeout props in particular can move quickly when weather or lineup news drops before first pitch.

If you have not yet shopped around for the best sign-up offers before placing these props, a DraftKings promo code can add bonus bets that extend your bankroll on a loaded Wednesday slate. All three of tonight’s plays represent strong value, but as always, bet responsibly and only risk what you can afford to lose.