Four-pick cross-sport parlay for Thursday (+1086 odds): NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, EPL and MLB

The White Sox have a good chance to close out this series strong. They are the better team in this matchup top to bottom. That already presents an inherent uphill battle for the Royals. To make things even tougher for Kansas City, they are starting Carlos Hernandez. Hernandez has been roughed up pretty badly this season to the tune of 28 earned runs on 39 hits and 15 walks in 26.2 innings pitched across 6 starts. That brings an 0-3 record with a 9.11 ERA and 2.03 WHIP into this game for Hernandez. That is just not going to get it done. It won’t get any easier facing a White Sox lineup full of weapons.

This game is already lopsided purely based on overall strength and depth of these rosters. The pitching matchup tilts it that much more in favor of the White Sox.

Chelsea suffered its second shootout heartbreak of the season against Liverpool in Saturday’s FA Cup final and the Blues now have to pick themselves up for Thursday’s EPL game with Leicester. They have won just 2 of their last 7 games in all competitions, but Leicester had cup disappointment of its own when failing to reach the Europa Conference League final, losing to Roma in the semifinals.

Leicester has bounced back with confidence-boosting wins over Watford and Norwich, with Jamie Vardy scoring 4 goals in the last 2 games. With Chelsea having defensive selection issues and Leicester looking good offensively, take both teams to score in the game.

Jimmy Butler was the story of Game 1, as deserved. But the other story is that Boston outplayed Miami for three of the four quarters, outscoring the Heat by a combined 14 points in those stanzas. It was the 14 total points that the Celtics scored in the third quarter that changed the game. Still, Boston matched Miami shot for shot, three for three and rebound for rebound in the entire game. Jayson Tatum still had 29 points and Jaylen Brown had 24. The Celtics missed Al Horford and Marcus Smart for scoring and depth. While Horford won’t play on Thursday due to COVID protocols, Smart is expected back for Game 2.

Following the two previous 40-point performances by Butler, in the ensuing game he had 20 in a loss to the Hawks and 23 in a blowout win over the 76ers. I expect similar regression here for Butler. Plus, the Heat are bigger favorites in Game 2. All that adds up to once again backing the Celtics, who held a 13-point lead in the series opener.

Colorado showcased why it is favored to win win the West as they peppered the Blues with 54 total shots, including outshooting the Blues 13-0 in the overtime period. The Avs also won more face-offs (34-19), had more hits (47-39) and had more high quality scoring chances. With the exception of Jordan Binnington making 51 saves again, I can’t imagine the game being nearly as close, especially on Colorado’s home ice. The Avalanche went a remarkable 32-5-4 at home this season. There is no real value in the money line for the Avs so let’s go ahead and hit the puck line at plus money.