Ricky Dimon
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The Tampa Bay Rays have overtaken the Boston Red Sox in the American League East after taking the first two games of this series. Will the Rays start to pull away by prevailing again on Sunday, or will the Red Sox rebound to regain first place? Here is our same game parlay for this showdown, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Tampa Bay Rays ML (-168)
Shane McClanahan Over 5.5 strikeouts (-128)
Austin Meadows to hit a home run (+380)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is the entire plan here, as Shane McClanahan racking up more than a handful of strikeouts and Austin Meadows hitting a homer obviously go well with a Tampa Bay win. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Tampa Bay Rays ML (-168)
After winning each of the first two games of this weekend’s series against the Red Sox, the Rays have overtaken first place in the American League East. The starting pitching matchup in the series finale will feature Boston’s Nick Pivetta against Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan. Pivetta has been the quintessential average pitcher in 2021: 4.51 ERA, 3.99 xERA, and a 4.31 FIP across 107.2 innings of work. McClanahan has been sharp since being promoted to the big leagues earlier this summer. He owns a 3.93 ERA, 3.91 xERA, and a 3.54 FIP in 15 starts spanning 71.0 innings of work. In this matchup, the Rays have the better starting pitcher, a relatively equal offense, and a better bullpen. And they have all of the momentum.
Shane McClanahan Over 5.5 strikeouts (-128)
McClanahan has fanned at least 5 batters in six consecutive starts. Asking him to reach the 6 mark certainly isn’t too much. He has recorded at least six Ks in two straight outings and in four of his last six, including seven on two occasions and eight in another. Interestingly, he has not faced Boston this entire season; that is definitely an advantage for the pitchers, as the hitters do not yet know what McClanahan is all about. It should also be noted that the Red Sox have three guys who have struck out at least 97 times in 2021—including Bobby Dalbec with 111.
Austin Meadows to hit a home run (+380)
Meadows has gone deep four times in the last six games, including twice against the Yankees on Thursday. A matchup with the right-handed Pivetta will only help Meadows stay on track. The left-handed designated hitter has launched 19 of his 20 dingers this season against righties. He is batting .260 against them, too, compared to .203 against southpaws. Needless to say, there is great value on a Meadows HR at +380.
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