The MLB season is in full swing. After an entertaining first few weeks of games, let’s turn our attention to today’s slate. We have all 30 teams in action with plenty of options for picks and props. It’s time to dive into the matchups and dish out a pair of MLB same game parlays (SGPs) that feature player props and juicy plus-money odds. Note that all odds and betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but subject to change. Good luck.
Friday's Best MLB Same Game Parlays
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
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Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees
- Leg 1: Yankees -1.5 (+119)
- Leg 2: Royals Team Total Under 3.5 Runs (-130)
- Leg 3: Cam Schlittler 6+ Strikeouts (-160)
- Leg 4: Ben Rice 2+ Hits + Runs + RBIs (-128)
The Yankees are coming off an entertaining and high-scoring series against the Angels. The four-game set wrapped up with an 11-4 loss for New York yesterday. Let's back the Yankees to get back on track at home with Kansas City coming to town. The Royals have struggled lately, going 2-7 over the past nine games, and they just got swept by Detroit. They're also just 2-7 on the road so far this year.
Cam Schlittler gets the start for the Yankees. The right-hander has looked strong to begin the year, posting a 2.49 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 30:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first four outings. Plus, his 0.53 FIP and 1.79 xERA are elite underlying indicators. Schlittler is quickly emerging as one of the best young starters in the league, especially after putting up a 2.96 ERA across 14 starts last season.
Friday presents a favorable matchup, as Kansas City has had major issues against right-handed pitching recently. Over the past week versus righties, the Royals have a .265 wOBA (29th) and .191 batting average (28th). They also have a rough .264 wOBA and 64 wRC+ on the road. Plus, before putting up nine runs yesterday, Kansas City was averaging just 2.9 runs over the previous eight games.
It's a good spot for Schlittler, who now owns a dominant 2.12 ERA over his past 15 big-league starts going back to last season. He'll be looking to bounce back after giving up seven hits and three runs on the road to Tampa Bay last time out. In that start, though, he still struck out eight. The second-year starter now has seven or more punchouts in all four outings.
On the other side of this matchup, the Yankees should put up some runs against Royals starter Michael Wacha. The veteran has an excellent 0.43 ERA over his first three starts, but he's also likely due for negative regression. Wacha has an unsustainable .180 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and 100% left-on-base rate, while his 3.45 xERA and 3.72 xFIP indicate some worse outings moving forward. New York, meanwhile, has a top-10 offense against right-handed pitching.
One of the Yankees' hitters who can do some damage is Ben Rice. The first baseman boasts a .327 batting average and 1.166 OPS so far this season, with five home runs and 14 RBI. He's especially crushing right-handed pitching, with a .341 batting average and 1.271 OPS in the split. Rice has at least two combined hits + runs + RBIs in 12 out of 18 games this season.
Parlay Odds: +455
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
- Leg 1: Diamondbacks Team Total Over 3.5 Runs (-180)
- Leg 2: Corbin Carroll 2+ Hits + Runs + RBIs (-139)
- Leg 3: Ketel Marte 2+ Hits + Runs + RBIs (-182)
- Leg 4: Ildemaro Vargas 1+ Runs (+138)
After taking two out of three games from Baltimore this week, the Diamondbacks are now 8-3 over their last 11 games and 11-5 over the past 16 contests. Arizona now welcomes the Blue Jays, who have trended in the opposite direction. Toronto is just 3-10 over its last 13 games, and has lost five straight series.
The Arizona offense should put up some runs against Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer. The lefty has a rough 7.82 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through three starts. He just got rocked for seven runs against the Twins as well. Lauer had an ugly 8.64 ERA and 1.56 WHIP during spring training, and it appears those struggles are bleeding into the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks boast a top-10 offense against left-handed pitching. They have a .333 wOBA (eighth), .280 batting average (fourth) and .747 OPS (eighth) in the split. It's a good matchup for Arizona's hitters to stay hot after putting up eight runs in yesterday's win. The lineup is averaging 5.4 runs over the past 10 games and can get over the 4.5 team total threshold today.
Let's count on a trio of Diamondbacks to play key roles in that run production. Corbin Carroll is on fire against left-handed pitching, with a .400 average and 1.223 OPS so far this year. He's gone over 1.5 combined hits + runs + RBIs in five of the past eight games. Plus, Carroll is hitting .381 with a 1.423 OPS at home this year, after putting up a .924 OPS at home last season.
Ketel Marte should also do his part alongside Carroll. The Arizona second baseman is heating up, with two or more combined hits + runs + RBIs in seven of his last eight games started. Notably, he has excellent career numbers against Lauer - 7-for-19 (.400) with a 1.137 OPS.
As for Ildemaro Vargas, getting him at plus-money to score a run seems like a steal right now. He's scored in seven straight games, and his 10 runs this year are tied for second on the team. Vargas is also on fire at the plate, with a .383 batting average. He's hitting .381 against lefties, which should help him get on base to get knocked in.
Parlay Odds: +445
