The MLB Playoffs begin today with four very exciting matchups. The action begins at 3:08 pm ET in Tampa Bay between the Rangers and Rays and goes throughout the day until the final first pitch in Philadelphia at 8:08 pm ET. But going back to the first matchup, I’ve crafted a Rangers vs Rays Same Game Parlay that pays out at nearly 7/1 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook! Let’s dive in, but make sure you also read our MLB picks on the side and total for each of today’s 4 games.
Rangers +1.5 (-164)
NRFI (-136)
Yandy Diaz to score a run (-135)
Same Game Parlay odds: +669
Texas Rangers +1.5 over Tampa Bay Rays (-164)
Postseason baseball is completely different compared to the regular season, and that usually creates closely contested and low-scoring games. Starting pitchers will have quick hooks and managers won’t be afraid to go through their bullpen — especially in this series. The Wild Card is a best-of-3 series which means the first game is critical. That’s why the Rangers are starting Jordan Montgomery and the Rays are countering with Tyler Glasnow. Oddsmakers have tabbed the Rays as slight favorites which makes sense since Tampa Bay is at home with a slightly better pitcher, but I’ve been very impressed with Montgomery’s recent performances.
The lefty ended the regular season by allowing just 2 earned runs in his final 27 innings. Those four starts came against the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Mariners twice, and all three of those teams possess above-average offenses. I’m not saying the Rangers will easily complete the upset over Glasnow and the Rays, but they should be able to keep this a close game. Taking Texas on the run line is the first leg of this Same Game Parlay.
Check out our Texas Rangers vs Tampa Bay Rays predictions
No Run First Inning (-136)
After one glance at the starting pitching matchup, I instantly included the NRFI in this parlay. This starting pitching matchup is arguably the best of the four games today, and I’m expecting a scoreless first inning for that reason. Montgomery has been fantastic in the opening frame this season with just a 2.81 ERA in 32 regular season starts. Not only that, but the lefty hasn’t allowed a first-frame run in 9 of his last 10 starts entering today. As for Glasnow, he was arguably the best first-inning pitcher in the regular season. The hard-throwing righty allowed a first-inning run in only 2 of his 21 starts this season. He also limited hitters to a .129 batting average with a 44.3% strikeout rate in the opening frame, which is pure dominance from the righty. The NRFI makes up the second leg of this parlay.
Check out all of my Wild Card best bets for this week
Yandy Diaz to score a run (-135)
The American League batting title came down to the last day of the regular season. Corey Seager was leading the American League in batting average for most of the second half of the season, but a late surge by Yandy Diaz put the pressure on Seager. In the end, Seager crumbled and went 0-for-4 in the final game of the season and gave the title to Diaz. Tampa Bay’s first baseman finished with a .330 average and 95 runs in 137 games and will more than likely be the Rays’ leadoff hitter today. If Diaz can get on, he will have Brandon Lowe, Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe and Harold Ramirez hitting behind him. That provides Diaz with an excellent opportunity to score, so taking Tampa Bay’s leadoff hitter to cross the plate is the third and final leg of this parlay.
Here are my MLB World Series preview and best bets to lock in!
