Best MLB Home Run Predictions Today: It’s a Good Day to Back Bleday

The Reds are off to a solid start in 2026, and JJ Bleday is a big reason why. The former A’s prospect earned a starting spot for Cincinnati since joining the team at the end of last month and hasn’t looked back. He’s hitting for average and power, and we are going to ride his hot bat to a payout tonight.

We’ll share more details on why below, along with two other home run predictions for Friday’s slate of games.

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Best Home Run Predictions for Friday, May 8

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Home Run Picks for Friday, May 8

There are some fantastic home run props out there today, but some stand above the rest. Below are the three players we’re locked in on. 

JJ Bleday to Hit a Home Run (+330) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The former fourth overall 2019 MLB Draft pick may finally be living up to his potential, to the benefit of the Cincinnati Reds. The outfielder added some power off the bench for the A’s last season, but has earned a starting spot since debuting for the Reds on April 26. He’s thrived in the role, batting .310 with four home runs and a 1.170. His spot towards the bottom of the order hasn’t hindered his ability to smash the ball, making the Reds' lineup far deeper than we expected.

Another reason we are locking in Bleday as one of our home run props is the state of Houston’s pitching. Mike Burrows (1-4, 5.97 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) will be on the mound tonight as he continues to struggle with his new team. While he delivered a quality start last week, it was far from pretty, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings. He also gave up his eighth home run of the season.

Once Burrows exits this game, he’ll be handing the ball to one of the worst bullpens in the MLB. The Astros’ 6.29 bullpen ERA is the highest in the league, as is the 33 home runs they’ve allowed.

We aren’t ready to officially dub the 28-year-old as a star, but his hot bat gives us enough confidence to back him against the Astros tonight. 

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Shea Langeliers to Hit a Home Run (+340) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The A’s currently sit atop the AL West, thanks largely to catcher Shea Langeliers. The 28-year-old is coming off the best season of his young career and has been even better in 2026. He ranks in the top ten of the league in average (.336), home runs (10), and OPS (1.017). While he had a mini-power slim to end April, his ability to get hits continued. 

Langeliers will be up against Kyle Bradish (1-4, 5.03 ERA, 1.82 WHIP) on the mound to start tonight’s game in Baltimore. The 29-year-old broke out for the Orioles in 202, but his career was sidetracked by injury. He’s only made 21 starts since that magical season. While he still looked strong for most of that run, it appears the injuries have taken their toll.

Home runs weren’t a problem for Bradish in the past, but that is changing, with five allowed over his last 14 ⅓ innings pitched. Considering Baltimore’s bullpen has also struggled (4.82 ERA, 20 HR), we expect Langeliers to see plenty of chances to go deep tonight.

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Matt Olson to Hit a Home Run (+300) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Braves' first baseman has become one of the top favorites to win the 2026 NL MVP early on in the 2026 season. He’s batting .301 and ranks in the top five of the league in home runs (13), RBIs (33), and OPS (1.059). Four of his 13 home runs came over the first six games of May, showing that his bat remains red hot.

Olson’s power surge is bad news for Dodgers’ starter Emmet Sheehan (2-1, 5.23 ERA, 1.32 WHIP), who will be on the mound tonight. He’s been erratic and unable to recapture his 2025 success, and home runs are becoming an issue. He has allowed six over six starts this year, two of which came in his previous outing.

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