Andrew Ortenberg
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The 2021 MLB season is wrapping up and the playoffs are rapidly approaching. We have a nice slate on Thursday, with plenty of opportunities for value. One of the best games is this AL West showdown as the Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles Angels. What better way to make this rivalry game even more exciting than by betting a same game parlay?
We of course also have thoughts on the side and total for each of today’s matchup, which you can view in our MLB picks tab.
Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (+260)
Alex Cobb to record 6+ strikeouts (+330)
Same Game Parlay odds: +1454
We have a simple 2-leg parlay which pays out north of 13/1 with FanDuel Sportsbook. Let’s break it down:
Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (+285)
Call me crazy, but I think the Angels have a good shot of winning this game to kick off the same game parlay. Los Angeles has actually been hitting fairly well, scoring 5 runs in each of the last 2 games of this series. It’s been the pitching that has been the issue. But that won’t be as much of a problem with Alex Cobb on the mound. Cobb has been pitching really well, and Los Angeles is 11-5 when he starts this season.
Going 11-5 in his starts is pretty significant considering the team is just 72-80 overall. Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr has been a bit shaky recently, surrendering a lot of walks. Houston pretty much has the division locked up, so it’s not like they have all that much to play for in this one. The Angels have underachieved, but they’ve still got plenty of talent. As that 11-5 record shows, when they get decent starting pitching they can be a really good team.
Alex Cobb to record 6+ strikeouts (+330)
Getting better than 3/1 here is a bit ridiculous. Cobb has made 16 starts this season and has gotten to at least 6 strikeouts in eight of them. That’s 50/50, and we’re getting +330. Obviously he’s facing a tough Astros offense, but still…. This leg also correlates heavily with the first leg of our same game parlay. If the Angels are covering the -1.5, it almost certainly means that Cobb is having a good night.
He’s at well over a strikeout an inning this year and has been much better at home than on the road. At home his ERA is only 2.30. Nobody seems to be paying attention since it’s been a down year for the Angels, but Cobb has quietly been a huge bright spot. In his first start back after injury last week, he gave up only 2 hits and no runs to the White Sox. All we need to cash this same game parlay is one great start from Cobb, and we’re getting nearly 15/1 on that.
What is a Same Game Parlay?
Check out our guide on what is a same game parlay and where can I bet it?
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