MLB Strikeout Props Today: 2 Best MLB Strikeout Prop Bets for Thursday 5/7/26

Today's Top Strikeout Picks at a Glance

• Shota Imanaga Over 5.5 Strikeouts
• MacKenzie Gore Under 6.5 Strikeouts

Within a given MLB slate, there are tons of strikeout props to sort through as there are lines posted for most of the day's starting pitchers.

We're here to help. In addition to our MLB projections, we'll have this strikeouts prop article each day.

Which MLB strikeout props seem to present the best value today in FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds?

All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

What are the best home run props for today?

Today's Best MLB Strikeout Prop Picks

Shota Imanaga Over 5.5 Strikeouts

Cubs vs. Reds, 2:20 PM ET

Shota Imanaga enters this start in arguably the best extended stretch of his Major League career, posting a 2.40 ERA, a 0.72 WHIP — fourth best in MLB — and 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings across seven starts in 2026. Through his first seven outings, Imanaga has hit the over on 5.5 strikeouts in four of them, including three consecutive starts where he reached the seven, nine, and eleven strikeout marks respectively.

The pitch data behind the prop is particularly compelling. Imanaga relies on a five-pitch arsenal headlined by a four-seam fastball he locates in the upper third of the zone with elite precision, combined with a splitter that generates chase rates of 48% when thrown outside the strike zone. In his most recent start against Pittsburgh on April 10, he threw six scoreless, no-hit innings with nine strikeouts and an 18% swinging-strike rate — one of the best individual performances in the National League this season. His four-seamer averages 19 inches of induced vertical break and generates the type of rising action that leads to swing-and-miss production at a premium rate.

The matchup against the Cincinnati Reds is equally favorable for a strikeout over. The Reds come in as a struggling road club — they are 0-6 in their last six road games. Cincinnati's lineup checks in below league average in contact rates against left-handed pitching, and the cool early-afternoon conditions at Wrigley Field in May historically suppress offense further. The Cubs are 10-0 straight-up in their last 10 home games and 17-3 against NL opponents in their last 20, meaning the Reds could be down early, forcing them to swing aggressively — exactly the kind of at-bat Imanaga excels at converting into strikeouts.

MacKenzie Gore Under 6.5 Strikeouts

Rangers vs. Yankees, 12:36 PM ET

In my eyes, MacKenzie Gore is the best under strikeout prop bet on Thursday's slate.

Gore carries a 4.6 walks per nine innings rate this season — the highest of his MLB career — with 18 walks issued through just 34.2 innings. That is a BB/9 rate that ranks among the ten worst in baseball among qualified starters and signals a pitcher who is fundamentally struggling to find the zone with consistency. His issues with walks mean he is sometimes pulled before reaching the pitch count needed to accumulate 6+ strikeouts.

The New York Yankees lineup compounds the challenge. New York features one of the most patient batting orders in the American League, drawing walks at an elite rate and working deep counts. Their patient approach naturally limits the number of swings and misses an opposing pitcher can generate on chase pitches — which is how Gore's curveball and changeup generate most of his strikeouts.

Strikeout Prop Betting — Frequently Asked Questions

What is a strikeout prop bet? A strikeout prop bet is a wager on how many strikeouts a starting pitcher will record in a given game. FanDuel Sportsbook will set an over/under line — for example, 6.5 strikeouts — and you bet whether the pitcher will go over or under that number.

How do strikeout prop bets work? Sportsbooks post a strikeout total for a starting pitcher before each game. You pick either the over (more strikeouts than the line) or the under (fewer strikeouts than the line). The bet is typically settled on the pitcher's official strikeouts recorded, regardless of how long he stays in the game.

What stats should I look at for strikeout prop bets? The most important stats to research are the pitcher's strikeouts per nine innings (K/9), strikeout rate (K%), swinging strike rate (SwStr%), pitch counts and recent strikeout totals over his last several starts. You should also look at the opposing lineup's strikeout rate, as some teams swing and miss more than others.

What is swinging strike rate and why does it matter? Swinging strike rate (SwStr%) measures how often a pitcher generates swings and misses on all pitches thrown. It is one of the strongest predictors of strikeout performance.

Can I parlay strikeout props? Yes, FanDuel allows you to combine strikeout props with other player props or game markets into a parlay.

We're having a Yard Sale! Get a 30% Profit Boost Token to use on a “To Hit a Home Run” Wager for any MLB Games taking place on May 7th, 2026! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which strikeout props stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.