MLB Same Game Parlays & Picks: Saturday (5/31)
We have a few interesting MLB matchups on Saturday. Let's examine them and build a few MLB same game parlays (SGP) with our top MLB picks and predictions.
Saturday’s Best MLB Same Game Parlays & Bets
(Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres
- Leg 1: Padres -1.5 (-110)
- Leg 2: Dylan Cease 8+ Strikeouts (+108)
It looks like Dylan Cease is having a rough season, but that inflated ERA stems from one outing where he allowed nine earned runs to the Athletics. Other than that, he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his five starts.
Cease has been much better since his rough start, recording a 3.45 ERA in his last eight starts. It won't make him a Cy Young contender, but the Padres have a winning record in his starts (5-3).
While not a Cy Young contender, Cease has this ability to go on these runs, and if he can do that, he could hear his name being mentioned for an award that he’s been in the top four of voting in twice. Cease has changed his pitching strategy and is using his fastball less frequently - 43% last year to 36.5% this season - while making the slider his lead pitch (49%). It's been working for him as hitters are batting .188 against him with a 42.8% whiff rate.
The Padres ace could have a stellar start against a bad Pirates team ranked 25th in batting average (.226) and whiff rate (26.2%), with the sixth-most strikeouts (504).
Parlay Odds: +297
Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies
- Leg 1: Phillies Moneyline (-190)
- Leg 2: Jesus Luzardo 7+ Strikeouts (+120)
- Leg 2: Under 8.5 Runs (-122)
It's been a great start to the season for Jesus Luzardo, as he's allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 11 starts. He's coming off a quality start where he allowed three earned runs in seven innings, which elevated his ERA over 2.00; that's how consistently good he's been this year.
Luzardo has added a sweeper pitch, and it's completely changed his approach. The difference in speed between the fastball, averaging 96.4 miles per hour (MPH), and the sweeper (86 MPH) is leaving hitters off balance, which is why his whiff rate is in the 86th percentile. His 28.2% strikeout rate is his best mark since 2022.
Although it's only 44 plate appearances, the Brewers’ roster has a .200 slugging percentage with a 29.4% whiff rate.
Parlay Odds: +511
San Francisco Giants at Miami Marlins
- Leg 1: Over 7.5 Runs (-115)
- Leg 2: Robbie Ray Over 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (+120)
- Leg 2: Giants Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-105)
Former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray looks like he's getting back into form after being plagued with injuries over the last couple of seasons. Ray has yet to lose a decision (7-0), and the Giants are 10-1 in his starts. In the one loss, Ray pitched seven scoreless innings. He does well with using the movement of a fastball to deceive batters and will continually let it rise throughout the strike zone. While hitters know it’s coming, they have trouble adjusting.
Although the Marlins are in last place, their offense has been strong. Their .286 average since May 23rd ranks third, their .338 weighted batting average ranks seventh and they are 12th in batting average against lefties.
Parlay Odds: +703
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: