Best MLB Props May 7, 2026: Skenes Strikeouts, Abrams and Alonso Home Runs

Thursday’s MLB schedule has 10 games on the board and enough interesting player props to keep things entertaining. We scoured the slate for the best mix of value and upside — one from a starter with elite strikeout stuff, one from a slugger who has been absolutely raking, and one sneaky value play that the books might be sleeping on. No nonsense, no filler. Let’s get into it.

These are the three props we feel best about on May 7. They span three different games, three different teams, and three different bet types — which means you can throw all of them together in a parlay or just pick your favorite and ride it solo.

Paul Skenes Over 5.5 Strikeouts: The Pirates Ace Gets His Revenge Game

Paul Skenes had a nightmare Opening Day against the Mets. He did not survive the first inning. Most pitchers would need weeks to shake that off, but Skenes responded by winning four of his next five decisions with 30 strikeouts in 29 innings. That bounce-back run has him sitting at a 2.91 ERA with legitimate strikeout production — 5.8 per game on the season.

On Thursday at Chase Field in Phoenix, Skenes draws the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 3:40 PM Eastern start. The Diamondbacks are 17-18 on the year, a middling team whose lineup does not present an overwhelming challenge for a power pitcher. Skenes is 4-2 with that 2.91 ERA after the stumble on Opening Day, and his stuff remains elite. The over 5.5 at -158 (FanDuel) is on the pricier side, but this is a pitcher whose true ability far exceeds a 5.5 strikeout threshold. The market knows it — they just set the line there because 6+ is not automatic. Skenes’ average of 5.8 strikeouts per game says you should bet the over at -158 without hesitation.

The storyline practically writes itself: Skenes gets a warm-weather afternoon game against a team that has not impressed this season, and he is coming off a stretch of his best pitching of 2026. Back the ace.

C.J. Abrams to Hit a Home Run: The Nationals Shortstop Has Been on a Tear

This one is a little outside the box, but C.J. Abrams has been one of the surprise power stories of early 2026. The Washington Nationals shortstop has hit 9 home runs in 36 games, which puts him on a pace that nobody really expected from a player known primarily for his speed. He has homered in 25 percent of his appearances this season, and on Thursday the Nationals host the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park at 1:05 PM Eastern.

The Twins start Simeon Woods Richardson, who has struggled mightily in 2026 — a 6.49 ERA and 0-5 record through seven starts. That is a recipe for Abrams to do damage. Nationals Park is a fair hitting environment, and Abrams has shown he can generate over-the-fence power now, not just line drives. FanDuel has him at +520 to hit a homer. That is a longer shot, but if you believe in the power surge — and the stats say you should — it is an exciting addition to Thursday’s slate.

You do not need to load up on this one. A small unit at +520 gives you great return potential against a struggling pitcher in a stadium where the ball carries. It is the fun play on the board today.

Pete Alonso to Hit a Home Run: The Orioles First Baseman Keeps Mashing

Pete Alonso is doing Pete Alonso things in Baltimore. The Orioles first baseman has 7 home runs in 37 games, a 18.9 percent home run rate per game that reflects everything you know about his approach: big swing, big power, never stops hunting for one over the fence. FanDuel has him at +490 to homer on Thursday at loanDepot park in Miami against the Marlins.

The Marlins start Max Meyer, who actually has a solid 2.68 ERA this season — so this is not a free-pass matchup. But Alonso’s track record of performing in any environment against quality pitching makes him a credible power play even in a tougher spot. He has homered against good arms before, and the +490 price gives you meaningful value if he connects.

Think of it this way: if Alonso hits a home run roughly once every five to six games, and the book is pricing him at roughly that rate, you are getting fair or slightly positive value on a player who has shown no sign of cooling off this season. Fenway for Caminero, Petco for King, and loanDepot for Alonso — the power spots are scattered all over the Thursday card, and this one belongs in your consideration.

Thursday’s Best-of-Board Parlay

Whether you bet these individually or string them together is up to you, but here is a look at all three plays together. If you are playing a parlay, go Skenes strikeouts plus one of the home run shots for a two-leg combo with real upside.

• Paul Skenes OVER 5.5 Strikeouts (-158, FanDuel)
• C.J. Abrams to Hit a Home Run (+520, FanDuel)
• Pete Alonso to Hit a Home Run (+490, FanDuel)

Today’s slate rewards creativity. Skenes is the anchor, Abrams is the high-upside long shot, and Alonso is the middle ground — a credible power play with a price that makes the risk worthwhile. Good luck Thursday.