Kevin Davies
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It’s the end of the work week, and it’s time for an action-packed Friday slate of MLB games! The day begins in Pittsburgh with a southpaw showdown between Andrew Abbott and Bailey Falter and ends with a highly anticipated matchup between the Rays and Dodgers. Let’s get right into my 3-leg MLB parlay picks for Friday, August 23, while you can also check out our MLB picks for today!
Rangers ML (+114)
Diamondbacks ML (+110)
Royals -1.5 (+164)
MLB parlay odds: +1086
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Texas Rangers ML over Cleveland Guardians (+114)
It’s been a rough few weeks for the Guardians. Their trade deadline acquisition, Lane Thomas, has been pitiful at the plate and created a hole in the middle of the lineup. Even Steven Kwan has fallen into a bit of a slump! Since August 1, the Guardians’ lineup ranks 29th in batting average, 28th in OPS and 29th in wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. And on Thursday, the Cleveland lineup managed just 1 hit against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees bullpen. The slump seems to be extended for the Guardians, and it’s coming at a bad time since Nathan Eovaldi and the Rangers are coming into town for the weekend.
Eovaldi was a hot name thrown around at the trade deadline but was kept since the Rangers still had postseason hopes. Unfortunately for the Guardians, Eovaldi has had plenty of success against their lineup in his career. Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez and Austin Hedges are a combined 8-for-43 (.186) with just a .180 xBA. At plus-money odds, it’s worth fading the struggling Guardians.
Arizona Diamondbacks ML over Boston Red Sox (+110)
Two teams with postseason hopes meet in Boston for a weekend series. The Diamondbacks lost Ketel Marte to an ankle injury a few days ago, but that didn’t stop them from completing the 3-game sweep of the Marlins earlier this week. As for the Red Sox, they split a series with the Orioles last weekend and then followed it up with a series win against the Astros in Houston.
Friday’s series opener will feature 2 rising stars, Ryne Nelson and Brayan Bello. Both starters had a rough start to the year, but have come around in the last few weeks. Nelson was fabulous in July with a 3-0 record and a 2.83 ERA and has been just as good this month with a 3.38 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Since the all-star break, Nelson has limited hitters to a .209 batting average with a .214 xBA and a 29% strikeout rate. He’s in the midst of the best stretch of his young career and is backed by a lineup that ranks 1st against right-handed pitchers in August. It’s worth backing the Snakes at this good of a price.
Read our full Arizona Diamondbacks vs Boston Red Sox prediction
Kansas City Royals -1.5 over Philadelphia Phillies (+164)
It’s truly remarkable that the Phillies continue to send Taijuan Walker to the mound. Philadelphia’s 5th starter has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball this season — and that’s not an exaggeration. Walker ranks in the 1st percentile in xERA, barrel rate, hard-hit rate and average exit velocity along with being in the 8th percentile in xBA, 3rd percentile in whiff rate and 6th percentile in chase rate. It’s only been getting worse too since Walker has a 6.23 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP in 2 starts since the all-star break. He’s surrendered a .269 xBA and a 15% walk rate in those 2 outings, and on Friday night, he will face a Royals lineup that has been red-hot this month. Kansas City ranks 1st in batting average, 4th in on-base percentage, 2nd in OPS and 2nd in wRC+ against right-handed pitching in August. With Michael Wacha on the mound, the Royals have every advantage in this game for a big win.
