Andrew Ortenberg
MLB
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We’ve officially got two weeks in the books. The 2021 MLB season kicked off two weeks ago, and the action has been jam-packed. Why not celebrate the beginning of the third week by going for a nice payday on Friday? That’s right, we’re back with another MLB mega parlay, this time a three-teamer with a payout just north of 10/1 where we’re counting on the Phillies to turn things around. After cashing our mega parlay last Tuesday at nearly 17/1 odds and coming close on a couple others, we’re looking for another success here.
We’re going big and bold, so let’s not waste any more time. We’re diving in, but don’t forget to check out our picks for the side and total on every MLB game, with our team of experts in red-hot form to start the season.
Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+130)
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+145)
Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+125)
Parlay odds: +1168
Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+130)
Now is the time to buy-low on the Braves following their very disappointing series against the Marlins. Even though they’ve lost four of five they’ve still been hitting well, as they scored at least five runs in three of those losses. They bounced back with a win over Miami on Thursday to give them some momentum entering this one. The Cubs have whatever the opposite of momentum is. They’ve gone just 2-6 in their past eight games, and can’t hit anybody. Ridiculously, they’ve scored just 15 runs in those eight games, an average of less than two per contest. Making matters worse they’ll start Zach Davies here, who has really struggled this season. Across two starts, he’s given up nine earned runs and 15 baserunners in only 7 and 1/3 innings. Both those starts came against the Pirates, who have a lineup that’s a whole lot weaker than this Atlanta one.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs.
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+145)
Sure the Phillies slipped up in their series against the Mets, but I’m not too concerned. Even after getting swept they’re still .500 for the season, and they’ve got a big edge on the mound here. Zach Eflin will start for the Phils and Carlos Martinez for the Cardinals. Martinez was horrible in five starts in 2020, racking up a 9.90 ERA and 2.10 WHIP. After two 2021 starts, I’m not so sure that was a fluke. He’s been hit hard in both of his outings so far, giving up 14 baserunners and seven earned runs in 10 innings of work. St. Louis has lost both his starts by a combined score of 21-6. Eflin has been rock solid, with a 3.46 ERA through two starts which both came against a really tough Braves lineup. He’ll be able to hold his own here.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies.
Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+125)
To wrap this parlay up and hopefully bring us home, I think the Blue Jays are going to roll here. Toronto has scored at least five runs in each of their past three games, and back on Saturday they scored 15, so they’ve got the kind of offensive upside I’m looking for when backing a team on the run line. Mike Minor will start for the Royals here, and he was horrible in 2020 with both the Rangers and A’s. In two starts this season, Minor has lasted only ten total innings, giving up five earned runs and 13 baserunners. Steven Matz will start for the Blue Jays, and he’s been fantastic. He’s given up only a single run in each of his first two starts, and shouldn’t have much trouble against a mediocre Royals lineup.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals.
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