Ricky Dimon
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We have a full 15-game slate on Friday to kick off the weekend in Major League Baseball. One afternoon businessman’s special pits the Chicago Cubs against the St. Louis Blues, while the Los Angeles Dodgers are headlining the nightcap as they host the Texas Rangers. However, we are looking elsewhere for this play. The Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros are the teams we like.
Let’s take a look at our three-team mega parlay for Friday.
Blue Jays ML (+105)
Marlins ML (+120)
Astros -1.5 (-110)
Parlay odds: +912
For this parlay we are going with two underdogs on the money line and one favorite on the run line. Here is a breakdown of the three legs one by one.
Toronto Blue Jays ML over Boston Red Sox (+105)
Since enduring his worst outing of the season against the Red Sox on May 19, Ross Stripling has turned things around in a big way. In his last 17.0 innings, Stripling has allowed two runs and 11 hits to go along with 14 strikeouts. The difference that Stripling has made recently is he is throwing his fastball more and his curveball less, which has resulted in quicker at-bats and lower pitch counts in his recent outings. His run support has been among the best in the league in the last 15 days, too. During this stretch the Blue Jays boast the fourth-best batting average and on-base percentage. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been the star of a young Toronto team. In the last two weeks he is hitting .320 with a .407 OBP. The Red Sox are sending Garrett Richards to the mound. He has been struggling with his control in recent starts, with 14 walks in his last 23.1 innings.
Check out our full game preview.
Miami Marlins ML over Atlanta Braves (+120)
The Marlins have received tremendous starting pitching from Trevor Rogers and Pablo Lopez this season, but Sandy Alcantara remains the ace of their staff. The reliable workhorse who first announced his presence to the National League East with six underappreciated starts in 2018 has continued to be a steady option every fifth day for Miami. He has worked at least 6.0 innings in 11 of his 13 starts this year, including efforts of 8.0 innings in two of his last three (his most recent one came without allowing an earned run). Alcantara also pitched well enough last time he faced the Braves in April, giving up just four hits in 6.1 innings without factoring in the decision in that contest—which the Marlins won. Atlanta is coming off two disastrous losses to the Phillies, who erased a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday and came back from 3-1 down in the bottom of the 10th on Thursday.
Check out our full game preview.
Houston Astros -1.5 over Minnesota Twins (-110)
The Twins went into this season with playoff expectations, but instead they find themselves dead last in the AL Central—trailing even the Tigers and Royals. Matt Shoemaker has been one of the culprits. Through 11 starts, Shoemaker is saddled with a bloated 7.28 ERA. He is going up against Jose Urquidy on Friday, which is additional bad news for Minnesota. Urquidy pitched tremendously for Houston in May, going 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his four starts—including against elite offenses like Toronto and Boston. After Zack Greinke and the bullpen got lit up on Thursday, Urquidy’s younger arm will be a welcome sight for Astros fans.
Check out our full game preview.
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