The MLB is here. It’s Opening Day! Yes, there are a couple of games already canceled from the slate. But overall, we can turn on the television today and watch meaningful baseball. After a full 99-day lockout, some of us honestly didn’t even know if we’d be able to get a game in until May.
Throughout the week, I’ll be putting together my favorite parlays for the MLB slate and I hope you will follow along throughout the entire season!
(Odds courtesy DraftKings)
Bet $5, Win $200 on Any MLB Moneyline
St. Louis Cardinals (-200)
It’s not a parlay if you’re not betting against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Wainwright will take the hill for the Cardinals for another Opening Day start. He’s held opponents to a .415 xFIP and just 6% walks in his last two seasons and has really performed despite aging.
The Pirates’ lineup has an ISO of .138 in their last two seasons combined with a .295 wOBA against righties. That’s just not going to cut it. However, the Cardinals will take on JT Brubaker, who has allowed an ISO of .210 to both sides throughout his last two seasons.
Power can come from Tyler O’Neill, Nolan Arenado, and Paul Goldschmidt, to name a few. It would be nice if the Cardinals had a more balanced lineup with some more lefties but overall, the Cardinals have enough to win tonight’s game against the Pirates offensively.
Bet: Cardinals (-200 at DraftKings)
Atlanta Braves (-200)
The Atlanta Braves destroyed right-handed pitching last season and I doubt that changes this season. Tyler Mahle will take the hill for the Reds and while he’s been solid throughout his career, the Braves are a tough matchup for him. Mahle is allowing a .344 wOBA and ISO of .218 against lefties and is walking 10.1% of righties.
The Braves project to have a balanced lineup with four lefties and six righties. The projected lineup has a .217 ISO and wOBA of .341 in their last two seasons against righties. Plus, the Braves lineup has only hit ground balls 36.3% of the time against righties in the last two seasons.
With Max Fried on the mound for the Braves, a quality start is likely in store against a Reds team that kind of threw the towel in this season.
Bet: Braves (-200 at DraftKings)
Guardians (-130)
Who would you rather trust? Shane Bieber or Zack Greinke? In his last two seasons, Shane Bieber has allowed a 2.74 xFIP with a 36.1% strikeout rate. On the other hand, Greinke has allowed a 4.05 xFIP with just 19.3% strikeouts and has also been destroyed by right-handed hitting. Righties hit .350 wOBA and an ISO of .227 in his last 588 plate appearances.
That’s not going to cut it against a right-handed dominated lineup for the Guardians.
Bet: Guardians (-130 at DraftKings)
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