Caleb Wilfinger
Show Bio
After an action-packed Saturday on the diamond, the MLB action doesn’t slow down with another exciting 15-game slate on the docket. With every team in action, there is plenty to attack and craft an MLB parlay. Let’s dive into today’s MLB parlay picks, as games get underway at 12:05 pm ET with the Giants taking on the Reds and concluding with the Cardinals taking on the Cubs on Sunday Night Baseball at 7:10 pm ET.
You can also check out all of our MLB picks for the action on Sunday, August 4.
Pirates -1.5 (+136)
Royals ML (-130)
Orioles ML (-125)
MLB parlay odds: +651
For this MLB parlay I am going with a bet on the Pirates to win by multiple runs, plus the Royals and Orioles on the money line. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Pittsburgh Pirates -1.5 over Arizona Diamondbacks (+136)
To start it off I’m going with the Pittsburgh Pirates on the run line. Arizona has to face Paul Skenes for the first time in this one, and the rookie sensation has been worth all the hype and more so far. The top overall draft pick from the 2023 MLB draft has recorded 80.2 innings through his first 13 starts, posting a 1.90 ERA in that span. His 33.3% strikeout rate sits in the 96th percentile while his 5.2% walk rate is an 88th percentile mark. That type of command is rarely seen from a young arm, and it should continue against this Diamondbacks lineup.
On the other side, Arizona starter Ryne Nelson has improved from last season, but it becomes hard to trust him fully given how much hard contact he allows. Nelson ranks 35th percentile with his 40.3% hard-hit rate and that has resulted in a 14th percentile xBA on the season. Conversely, Pittsburgh has the 9th lowest strikeout rate and 11th highest hard-hit rate against RHP since July 1, so the Pirates should be able to put the ball in play against Nelson. Let’s back Pittsburgh to win by multiple runs in this contest.
Check out our full Arizona Diamondbacks vs Pittsburgh Pirates predictions
Kansas City Royals ML over Detroit Tigers (-130)
For the second leg I’m going with the Kansas City Royals on the money line. We are at that time of year where motivation is a big deal, and the Royals clearly the more motivated team in this one. It’s not even like the Tigers have a bunch of young guys playing for future spots on the roster; it is just a dark time in Detroit at the moment. It’s especially apparent on the pitching front, as Detroit is just covering innings however it can. On Sunday it will be Brant Hurter, a Triple-A call-up who hasn’t been anything special in the minors. He has a chance to stick around for a bit, if only because of the team needs, but he’s not a guy I want to back in this spot. Michael Wacha of the Royals isn’t anything special either, but he has been solid for the Royals all season long. He has been a steady workman, not doing anything spectacular, but never having a blow-up start either. I’ll take that and back Kansas City on the money line on Sunday.
Read our full Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers predictions
Baltimore Orioles ML over Cleveland Guardians (-125)
To close out this MLB parlay I have the Baltimore Orioles on the money line. The O’s are in desperate need of a series victory, and they’ve got the right pitcher for the job on Sunday. Corbin Burnes has been outstanding for Baltimore this season after being acquired from Milwaukee for a haul of prospects. Burnes will face a Guardians offense that has gone cold against right-handed pitching over the last month, ranking 29th in wOBA with the lowest rate of hard contact and a wRC+ of 82. They are putting the ball in play with a low strikeout rate, but their aggressiveness has led to outs early in the count, which is not an approach that is working at the moment.
Gavin Williams will pitch for the Guardians today, and he is making his 7th appearance of the season after a delayed start to the year. The 2021 1st-round pick was highly touted before his rookie debut last season, and he was solid for Cleveland with a 3.29 ERA through 82 innings. His current 3.72 ERA through 29 innings this season is shadowed by a 5.06 xERA, however, and he is currently allowing far too much hard contact on the season. Baltimore ranks 9th in wOBA with a 117 wRC+ and the 8th highest hard-hit rate since July 1 and I like them to take this one to complete our mega parlay.
