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Today's best MLB strikeout prop bets and pitcher K props for Monday, May 18. Thunder Dan's expert MLB player prop picks, betting odds, and advanced stat analysis to help you win.
Sometimes Mondays suck. Okay, let's be serious - most of the time, Mondays suck. But the weather here on the East Coast is going to be hot, giving us the first real glimpse of what Summer has in store, and we have a lot more MLB action on the diamond than usual, as we have 14 games on the docket.
I'll offer up a few of my top picks here today, but you'll need to grab a premium pass to see all five of my favorite K prop wagers. Our top MLB writers are posting their favorite props on Discord daily, so gain additional access to those picks with a premium RotoBaller membership.
In this article, I'll provide my favorite prop bets for MLB games on Monday, May 18, 2026. Odds will change during the day, so lock in those bets as early as possible and always shop for the best number across multiple sportsbooks or prediction markets! If you love betting on baseball, check out our premium betting tools here at RotoBaller and sign up to access all our daily premium content!
High-Confidence Strikeout Picks
Shane McClanhan OVER 5.5 strikeouts (-108 FanDuel)
Is McClanahan the strikeout pitcher back? I wrote about his recent resurgence here in my latest edition of breakouts or fakeouts, and it's hard to ignore what he's done over his last four starts, shutting out opponents entirely while averaging 5.75 strikeouts per start.
Shane McClanahan, Wicked 84mph Curveball. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/KpYviavxm0
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 6, 2026
McClanahan isn't dominating at the same elite level that he did back in his first few seasons in the big leagues - before the arm surgery. But he's still bringing his heater around 95 mph and has three very good offspeed pitches with his changeup, slider, and big-breaking curveball.
The most important development lately has been the improved command. He's cut down on the walks in a big way, allowing him to be more efficient and pitch deeper into games. He only finished five innings once in his first four starts, but has done so in all four of his most recent starts.
The Orioles are the opponent today, and they have a very K-prone lineup. They are at 26.5% vs. LHP over the last two weeks, and their projected lineup today has 7 of 9 hitters with a 28% K% vs. LHP on the season. That's a lineup we want to target with a pitcher of Shane Mac's caliber!
Shota Imanaga OVER 5.5 strikeouts (+111 Novig)
I also wrote about Imanaga in that breakout article and concluded that what he's been doing so far this season is not only impressive but also something he can continue to do. Not only is he doing a great job at run suppression, but he's also dialed up the strikeouts this year.
Imanaga is at a 28% strikeout rate this season, with an elite 15.5% SwStr% that suggests he could be even better (say in the 30-32% range).
Milwaukee is not a team that I typically target for strikeouts, but I have faith in Imanaga's stuff, control, and ability to pitch deep enough into this game to get to six strikeouts. He's cleared this bar in five of eight starts this season, is pitching at home, and yet we are still getting plus odds on this number.
I'm going to keep riding the hot left arm of Imanaga today; he's just too good to be priced like this at 5.5, regardless of the opponent.
