On Thursday’s MLB schedule, two standout power hitters offer promising home run prop bets according to Forbes’ sports betting analyst Josh Shepardson. Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates is one of the top picks, with odds of +364 for over 0.5 home runs at DraftKings Sportsbook. Lowe has had a solid 2026 season, smashing 29 homers in 130 games, particularly excelling against right-handed pitching. His advanced batted-ball metrics rank him in strong positions among qualified hitters, indicating his power potential remains high.

Lowe will face Blade Tidwell, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher who has struggled to contain left-handed batters this year. Tidwell has given up five home runs across his five starts and eight relief appearances in 2026, including four long balls surrendered during his starts. Lowe is well positioned to exploit Tidwell's weaknesses, especially since the pitcher strikes out only 14.3% of left-handed hitters, making the home run prop at +364 compelling for bettors.

Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros is the other top home run wager for Thursday, listed at +259 for over 0.5 home runs. Alvarez has been one of MLB’s premier sluggers with 37 home runs in 138 games, shining particularly against right-handed pitchers and performing well at home. His striking batted-ball statistics place him near the top of the league in multiple categories, including barrels per plate appearance and exit velocity, underscoring his power-hitting abilities.

Alvarez is set to face Luis Castillo, who has surrendered 23 home runs in 25 appearances this season at a rate of 1.70 HR/9 innings. Castillo has allowed multiple home runs in six of his recent eight starts, and his struggles on the road complement Alvarez’s home run potential in Daikin Park, a stadium known for a high home run park factor. Given these factors, Alvarez is a strong candidate to add to his impressive home run total on Thursday.