Ricky Dimon
The week in Major League Baseball continues with a full 15-game slate on Friday. It begins with the Cubs hosting the Diamondbacks, while other showdowns include Yankees vs Rays, Dodgers vs Rangers and Padres vs Astros. There are more than enough betting opportunities, so let’s try to take advantage.
Below is my mega parlay, and also be sure to check out all of our MLB picks.
Reds ML (+135)
Mets -1.5 (+130)
Dodgers ML (-144)
MLB parlay odds: +816
Reds ML (+135)
The Reds dropped 2 of 3 games against the Mariners earlier this week, but they recorded 29 hits and crossed the plate 18 times in those 3 contests. In other words, Cincinnati’s offense is cooking. Cole Povich of the Orioles may not be able to cool off the Cincy bats. Povich compiled a 5.20 ERA in 2024 and he is saddled with a horrendous 1.80 WHIP so far this year. Although Povich has done some decent damage control to limit opponents’ runs to some extent, the O’s have lost each of his past 2 starts. Andrew Abbott is toeing the rubber for the Reds in what will be his second appearance of the season. His first one went well, yielding just 1 run on 2 hits in 5.0 innings against Pittsburgh. Abbott should get plenty of run support in this one, so give me the Reds as considerable underdogs.
Mets -1.5 (+130)
Is Miles Mikolas just what the doctor ordered for Juan Soto to get on track in his first season with the Mets? It’s very possible. Soto is hitting .389 lifetime against Mikolas with 1 home run and three RBIs. There is no reason to think the righty will shut down Soto – or anyone else – on Friday considering his current form. Mikolas is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and 1.62 WHIP through 13.0 innings of the 2025 campaign. New York is countering with David Peterson, who is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA while averaging more than a strikeout per inning (17 in 16.2). The Mets took care of business 4-1 in the series opener on Thursday and such momentum is likely to continue.
Dodgers ML (-144)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is taking the mound for the Dodgers, and that can only be considered good news. In his second season in Major League Baseball, Yamamoto is 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 28 strikeouts compared to just 7 walks in 22.0 innings of work. He has now allowed a single earned run in his last 14.0 innings. The Rangers are a formidable foe, but it’s hard to have much faith in Jacob deGrom these days as he makes his way back from injury. Over his past 2 starts, the veteran right-hander has surrendered 7 earned runs on 11 hits (4 homers) and 4 walks in 11.2 innings. That does not bode well for his chances against Los Angeles, which boasts arguably the best lineup in baseball.
