Paul Skenes 2025 Odds and Props: Will the Pirate Make History?

Paul Skenes to Record 300+ Strikeouts in 2025

• • Yes (+2800)

The pitching phenom out of LSU is expected to fulfill his first full season of duty in the Major Leagues in 2025. Last year, Skenes wasn’t called up to make his debut until May 11. The Pirates wanted to make absolutely sure that he was prepared.

The rookie ultimately finished the season with 23 starts and 113 innings under his belt. Note that a typical starting pitcher makes 33 or 34 starts in a season. Barring an injury, Skenes should start at least 33 games in his second year in the Majors.

100th pitch 🤝 100 MPH strikeout

Make it SIX no-hit innings for Paul Skenes! pic.twitter.com/gNtaKC3xNJ

— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2024

Skenes notched 170 strikeouts across those 23 starts, for an average of 7.4 per game. It’s important to remember that Skenes was on a pitch count for most of the year. He could have gone deeper into games but was pulled early often. Nevertheless, Skenes still broke the Pirates’ rookie record for strikeouts.

The training wheels are likely to be pulled off Skenes even more. He won’t be on such a strict pitch count in 2025. Let’s assume he makes 33 appearances and averages nine strikeouts a game. This puts him only three Ks away from 300.

The odds suggest that Skenes won’t sniff 300 strikeouts. At +2800 odds, there is just a 3.4% implied probability that he will pull off the feat. Only 19 pitchers have struck out 300+ batters in a season. Randy Johnson did it a record five times, while Justin Verlander was the most recent in 2019.

Skenes is that talented, so while it’s a long shot, I think he’s worth a small play to record 300+ strikeouts!

Paul Skenes 2025 Cy Young Odds and Pick

• • Cy Young Odds (+250)

Currently, Paul Skenes Cy Young odds are at the top of the board in the NL at BetUS. With a price of +250, Skenes has an implied probability to win of 28.6%. He holds a comfortable lead over Zack Wheeler (+750) and Chris Sale (+750) heading into Opening Day.

If Skenes had a full schedule of work last year, I imagine he would have been the easy Cy Young selection. Skenes posted an ERA of 1.96 and 0.95 WHIP through 23 matchups in his rookie season! He was on fire out of the gates and had hitters fooled early in his career.

Generally, young pitchers struggle in their first year and pick things up in their second season. That wasn’t the case with Skenes, who didn’t need any time to develop. In his second year, the emerging star is likely to go up after a full offseason and season under his belt.

Paul Skenes my lord pic.twitter.com/kTcfVfrNgY

— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) February 17, 2025

In short, Skenes should probably be +200 to +175 to win the Cy Young. If he maintains his production from 2024, Skenes will be well on his way to the coveted NL award. I expect Skenes to be just as good or better, so +250 is a solid wager to win the Cy Young!

Skenes NL MVP Winner Odds and Pick

• • Skenes NL MVP (+5000)

While Skenes is in strong contention for the NL Cy Young, it isn’t the same story for MVP. There are 18 players ahead of the pitcher, and he’ll have to deal with Shohei Ohtani and go against history.

Only 11 pitchers have won MVP since the award was introduced in 1956. Clayton Kershaw (2014) and Verlander (2011) are the only pitchers in the last two decades to win the MVP.

In addition to unreal numbers Skenes should register, the team must have a winning record. The latter is what I’m concerned with for this prop bet. Pittsburgh went 76-86 to finish dead last in the NL Central last season.

They didn’t make any significant moves in the offseason to improve on that record. In other words, it’s tough to see Skenes winning the NL MVP award! I suggest passing on this pick for your 2025 Skenes prop bets!

Skenes MLB Strikeout Leader Odds and Pick

• • Skenes Strikeout Leader (+400)

The odds suggest that Skenes is the most likely pitcher to lead the Major Leagues in strikeouts. However, the +400 price doesn’t evoke the most confidence from oddsmakers.

In any event, for our MLB betting strategy, there is strong value in Skenes leading in strikeouts. If I like Skenes to notch 300 or more strikeouts, of course, I’m going to like him to lead MLB.

It would be an unprecedented result for Skenes to fail to lead in strikeouts with 300+ Ks on his resume! If you aren’t confident in Skenes making history and reaching that milestone, you can still get fantastic value on him leading the Majors at +400.

The movement on Paul Skenes’ pitches is mind-blowing … and it's only January 😳 pic.twitter.com/uuJyHtUj4j

— MLB (@MLB) January 27, 2025

Again, Skenes is expected to have another special season, and he will make at least 33 starts this time. He should be in the mix at the end of the 162-game schedule. At +400, there is solid value on Skenes being the strikeout leader in 2025!