Ricky Dimon
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It should be a fun Saturday in the world of sports. March Madness continues with the Final Four and we have plenty of action on offer in the NBA, NHL, and MLB. For now we are focusing on the baseball diamond, where 28 of the 30 teams are taking the field (the Mets-Nationals game has been postponed).
Here is our four-team mega parlay on today’s MLB schedule:
Indians ML (-172)
Braves ML (-115)
Cardinals ML (-110)
Giants ML (-105)
Parlay odds: +1106
For this parlay we are keeping it simple with four outright winners on the money line. Let’s break down each of the four legs one by one.
Cleveland Indians ML over Detroit Tigers (-172)
The Detroit Tigers are tied for first place in the American League Central! That’s the good news for Tigers fans. Here is the bad news: this might be the last day of the 2021 campaign on which they can say that. It was no surprise that Cleveland’s offense was anemic on Opening Day against Matthew Boyd, an above-average lefty who neutralized the opposition in frigid temperatures through 5.2 innings. However, there are reasons to think the Indians will bounce back in a big way on Saturday. For one, Cleveland starter Zach Plesac has proven he can dominate this Tigers lineup. Secondly, Detroit veteran Julio Teheran is about as close to an automatic fade as there is in Major League Baseball (except maybe Baltimore’s Saturday starter, whom you will read about below).
Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers preview and picks
Atlanta Braves ML over Philadelphia Phillies (-115)
Atlanta right-hander Charlie Morton is back with his former team and makes his second-stunt debut against Philadelphia on Saturday. If he can simply limit the damage done by Bryce Harper and Didi Gregorius, the rest of the Phillies’ lineup could have trouble against Morton. The veteran is still going strong, especially against right-handed batters (sub-2.60 FIP versus righties in each of the past two seasons). As for the Braves’ offense, it may be the second-best lineup in the National League behind the Dodgers. Aaron Nola was too good for the Braves on Thursday, but Zack Wheeler might not be in game two.
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies preview and picks
St. Louis Cardinals ML over Cincinnati Reds (-110)
St. Louis picked up an Opening Day win over Cincinnati and did so in convincing 11-6 fashion. The Cardinals roughed up Cincinnati ace Luis Castillo to the tune of eight hits and eight earned runs in just 3.1 innings. With Paul Goldschmidt and newcomer Nolan Arenado in the heart of the order, this offense is bound to be a nightmare for opposing pitchers all season long. The two of them combined for six hits, four runs, and two RBIs in the opener, as well as helping spark a six-run first inning. The Reds will send Tyler Mahle to the mound on Saturday for what may be a difficult task. Mahle has struggled against the Cardinals in his career; in eight head-to-head starts he is 1-3 with a 5.45 ERA and 1.44 WHIP.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds preview and picks
San Francisco Giants ML over Seattle Mariners (-105)
The Giants were one of the more surprising offensive teams in 2020, and they picked up right where they left off with 10 hits and seven runs on Opening Day against the Mariners. While it was not enough for the win, six runs were enough to get a victory on Friday. San Francisco boasts a potent offense that is capable of roughing up any opposing pitcher. Mike Yastrzemski does not have a single hit through two games and the Giants’ bats have still been doing plenty of damage as a whole. Pitching wise, the visitors will turn to Logan Webb on Saturday. He had a tremendous spring training, striking out 22 hitters while giving up just one run in 17.0 innings pitched. Seattle will send Chris Flexen to the mound and he has struggled in his young career. The 26-year-old has a 3-11 record with an ERA north of 8.00.
San Francisco Giants vs. Seattle Mariners preview and picks
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