Kevin Davies
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Mondays are usually a slower day in baseball since plenty of teams are traveling to their next series or enjoying a day off. Today is no different since there is a smaller slate of games than usual, but I’ve found some value in the few games happening today. Let’s get into my best MLB parlay picks for Monday, May 6, while you can also check out our MLB picks for today’s matchups.
Tigers ML (+102)
Angels vs Pirates alternate over 9.5 (+186)
Rangers ML (-148)
MLB parlay odds: +868
Detroit Tigers ML over Cleveland Guardians (+102)
Jack Flaherty is reviving his career in Detroit. The former Cardinals ace has struggled in the last few seasons as his walk rate was spiking and his strikeout rate was dipping, but this year has been the complete opposite. Flaherty ranks in the 94th percentile in walk rate and strikeout rate after 6 starts. His control has been elite and he is coming off his best outing of the year as he allowed just 2 hits while striking out 14 batters in his return to St. Louis.
The Guardians lost Shane Bieber after just the first week or so which meant a lot of pressure went onto Triston McKenzie’s shoulders. However, the young right-hander has not lived up to expectations this season. In 6 starts, he owns a 4.34 ERA, 4.99 xERA and 1.48 WHIP. His command isn’t the same and he hasn’t been as effective with his off-speed pitches. I’m fading McKenzie until he puts together a few quality starts, so back the Tigers in this divisional matchup.
Read our full Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians predictions
Los Angeles Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Over 9.5 (+186)
Mitch Keller’s April can be summarized in one word: disappointing. The Pirates ace showed a lot of potential in the 2022 season with a sub-2 ERA, but he hasn’t been able to get back to that level in 2 years. This season, Keller owns a 5.17 ERA, 5.09 xERA and just a 21.8% strikeout rate. He’s getting fewer swings and misses than ever and his once-dominant fastball has been extremely hittable this season. Keller has been throwing batting practice on the mound in 2024.
Tyler Anderson comes into this start with a 2.23 ERA, but that’s incredibly deceiving. His first few starts of the year were against the Marlins, Rays and Red Sox, which are 3 mediocre offenses. However, his last 2 starts have been against the Orioles and Phillies, and the southpaw has allowed 9 hits, 5 runs and 2 home runs in 11 innings. Anderson has been getting very lucky this season but his regression appears to finally be here.
Texas Rangers ML over Oakland Athletics (-148)
The A’s have exceeded expectations in the first month of the season. Oakland was projected to finish at the bottom of the division yet again, but the Athletics have been a pleasant surprise with a 17-18 record after 35 games. However, the cards are stacked against the A’s tonight since they have Alex Wood on the mound against the Rangers. In 7 starts, Wood owns a 6.32 ERA, 6.10 xERA and a .295 xBA. He’s been one of the most hittable pitchers in baseball and he will face a Rangers offense that is more than capable of smashing a southpaw pitcher.
Texas will send their own lefty to the hill tonight as Andrew Heaney will get the nod. Although Heaney hasn’t looked great all year, he is coming off his best outing of the season as he surrendered just 1 run and 4 hits in 7 innings against the Nationals. Plus, he will face an Oakland lineup that has been dreadful against left-handed pitching this year. At a reasonable price, the Rangers are the final leg of this MLB parlay.
