Ricky Dimon
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With Opening Day in the rearview mirror, we are off and running in this 2024 Major League Baseball season. Action on the diamond continues with a 10-game slate on Friday, headlined by an afternoon showdown between the Braves and Phillies after they got postponed yesterday. We also have Yankees vs Astros, Giants vs Padres and the nightcap between the Cardinals and Dodgers.
Below is my mega parlay for Friday; also be sure to check out all of our MLB picks.
Blue Jays ML (+110)
Marlins -1.5 (+164)
Yankees ML (+102)
MLB parlay odds: +1020
For this parlay I am going with 1 favorite on the run line and 2 underdogs on the money line. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
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Toronto Blue Jays ML over Tampa Bay Rays (+110)
The opener could not have gone better for the Blue Jays. Not only did they win, but they also slugged 3 homers — including shots from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer. Jose Berrios was solid on the mound and the bullpen was not overly taxed, which is key because some of Toronto’s best high-leverage guys are currently hurt. The Jays are now giving the ball to Chris Bassitt, which should result in good things. Bassitt quietly compiled 16 wins last season, good for #1 (tied) in the entire American league. The right-hander has always been somewhat of a hidden gem and is looking to build on his best-ever year. Look for the Blue Jays to continue their momentum from Thursday’s performance.
Miami Marlins -1.5 over Pittsburgh Pirates (+164)
No clubs played more innings than the Marlins and Pirates on Opening Day, as Pittsburgh prevailed 6-5 in 12. I expect Miami to bounce back behind starting pitcher A.J. Puk. The left-hander was a closer in his first season with the Fish, racking up 15 saves in 2023 to go along with a 3.97 ERA. He now moves to the rotation and will be the veteran of a young staff at 28 years old. Pittsburgh is countering with Martin Perez, who is also going in a similar direction. Perez was moved to the bullpen in the second half of the 2023 campaign by the World Series champion Rangers. Now he is back in a starting rotation, albeit with a new — and much worse — team. Don’t be surprised if there are some growing pains for Martin with the Pirates in the early stages of 2024. Give me the Marlins to win by multiple runs.
New York Yankees ML over Houston Astros (+102)
Did any team post a more impressive season-opening win than the Yankees? Nope. They may not have scored as many runs as the Diamondbacks, for example, but they went into Houston and beat a great opponent by coming back from a 4-0 deficit. Juan Soto and Oswaldo Cabrera helped New York eventually prevail 5-4. Now the visitors hand the ball to Carlos Rodon. It is true that Rodon was terrible in 2023, but he looked pretty good in spring training with a 2-1 record and a 4.19 ERA. Cristian Javier will be taking the mound for the Astros; he had a solid spring training with a 3-1 record and a 3.72 ERA. Last year Javier faced the Yankees twice and went 0-1 while giving up 6 runs in 10.2 innings. If the Yankees’ bats stay somewhat hot, they may be able to win another close game.
