Ricky Dimon
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We have a full 15-game slate in Major League Baseball on Wednesday, with two businessman’s specials in the afternoon before 13 are played at night. The schedule is capped off by the nightcap between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels on ESPN. That showdown is getting the same game parlay treatment it deserves. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Wednesday’s nationally televised attraction, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Angels ML (-158)
Shohei Ohtani to hit a home run (+320)
Brad Keller Over 4.5 strikeouts (+104)
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 some of the plan here, as Shohei Ohtani going yard (again!) obviously goes well with a Los Angeles win. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with betting on Kansas City starter Brad Keller to record a fair share of strikeouts. But even if Keller does, the Angels can still take care of business. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Angels ML (-158)
The Angels are quietly putting together a nice little run in the early stages of this month. They are 10-5 over their last 15 games and they have taken the first two of this series against the Royals. The Angels’ bats are heating up; over the last seven days their OPS of .901 is the third best in all of baseball. Prior to Tuesday, Kansas City starter Kris Bubic had allowed just two home runs in 34.0 innings this season. Los Angeles promptly took him deep on four occasions in 4.0 innings of work. It should also be noted that the Angels have won seven of their last eight home games against the Royals. With K.C. having lost four in a row overall, nothing suggests the tide is suddenly going to turn on Wednesday.
Shohei Ohtani to hit a home run (+320)
Ohtani is just one home run off the major-league lead (18) shared by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ronald Acuna Jr. The two-way superstar from Japan went 2-for-3 on Tuesday with a 470-foot blast for his 17th of the year. Ohtani failed to homer in any of the last five games of May, but he has now left the yard twice in the last four contests. Going up against a right-hander in Keller is a favorable matchup, too. Ohtani is batting .279 against righties this season compared to .224 against southpaws.
Brad Keller Over 4.5 strikeouts (+104)
There is no reason why Keller can’t reach the five-strikeout mark, and getting it at plus money only makes it an even more intriguing option. The 25-year-old has recorded at least five Ks in five of his last six appearances, including at least six on four occasions and seven twice. Dating back to the start of May, Keller has 38 strikeouts in 37.2 innings. So as long as he logs at least 5.0 innings on Wednesday night, he should get to this number. Keep in mind that the Angles have three guys who have already struck out at least 59 times in 2021.
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