Caleb Wilfinger
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The dog days of the MLB season are here as the playoff races heat up. With that comes another slate of baseball from coast to coast on Thursday. And what better way to celebrate than by going for a big payday? That’s right, we’re back with another mega parlay with a payout of nearly 9/1 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
But before we dive in, be sure to check out our MLB picks for every MLB side and total today. Let’s get into our mega parlay for Thursday.
Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+105)
Baltimore Orioles ML (-105)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+140)
Best parlay odds: +860 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Odds available at time of publishing.
Let’s break down each of the legs one by one.
Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+105) over Boston Red Sox
To start off this mega parlay, we are going with the Blue Jays on the run line. This AL East matchup has been lopsided all season long, and that shouldn’t change on Thursday. Toronto has routinely dominated the Red Sox in 2022, winning 12 of their 15 meetings. It’s clear that these teams are going in completely opposite directions of late. Boston has dropped 4 of its last 5 games, while the Blue Jays have won 5 of their last 6.
It all starts on the mound, as Kevin Gausman gets the start for Toronto. Gausman holds a 2.99 ERA and has one of the best walk rates in the league. Unlike Boston starter Kutter Crawford, Gausman routinely throws strikes and gets consistent swings and misses. Crawford is in the bottom 25th percentile in xSLG, xBA and xERA this season. That doesn’t bode well against a hot Toronto lineup that loves hitting at Fenway Park. Back the road team in this one.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox
Baltimore Orioles ML (-105) over Chicago White Sox
For the second leg of this mega parlay, we’re going with the Orioles on the money line. Baltimore continues to be mispriced at home, despite its excellent record at Camden Yards. The Orioles are 36-23 at home this season and get the luxury of facing Lance Lynn on Thursday. After an excellent 2021 campaign, Lynn holds a 5.30 ERA with a 4.06 xERA, while his xBA sits at .251. Lynn has shown good signs at home, but is a completely different pitcher on the road. In fact, his ERA sits at 6.39 away from Chicago this season.
This Orioles lineup is extremely comfortable at home, where they have a higher OBP, OPS and score nearly 4.5 runs per game. If starter Jordan Lyles pitches true to his 3.13 home ERA, Baltimore is certainly good enough to win this game comfortably. We’ll back the Orioles on the money line.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Chicago White Sox vs Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+140) over Los Angeles Angels
For the final leg of our mega parlay, we are going with the Rays on the run line. This is more of a fade of the Angels than an endorsement of Tampa Bay. While the Rays are consistent, they’re not the same team that challenged for the AL Pennant in years past. However, starter Drew Rasmussen should do enough to quell an Angels lineup that is struggling mightily.
Los Angeles’ issues at the plate are indicative of the team’s struggles as a whole this season. After a hot start, the Angels sit in 4th place in the AL West and 19 games under .500 heading into Wednesday. The Angels can’t hit, can’t pitch and have won just 3 of their last 10 games. Thursday’s starter Patrick Sandoval has decent numbers, but his xERA of 4.16 suggests that serious regression is coming. Look for the Rays to close out this series in style.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Los Angeles Angels vs Tampa Bay Rays
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