It’s finally here — the last day of the 2022 MLB regular season. The postseason lineup is already set as 12 teams will continue their seasons while the other 18 will have an extended offseason. It’s been an incredible year, filled with history and broken records, and thinking back on it, we didn’t even know if baseball was going to be played this year because of the 99-day lockout! But alas, the regular season has come to its final day, and there’s no better way to cap off the season than with a mega parlay.
For this parlay we are going with one favorite on the money line and three favorites on the run line. Let’s break down each of the legs one by one.
Don’t miss our MLB picks for all the games today!
New York Yankees ML over Texas Rangers (-120)
For the Yankees to cap off what has been a spectacular season, Domingo German will get the start. After 161 games, New York has a record of 99-62, and they will try to reach win number 100 against Glenn Otto. The last thing either team wanted at this stage in the season was a doubleheader last night, but Aaron Judge made the long day worth it. After sitting on 61 home runs for a little longer than he would have liked, Judge hit the record-breaking home run #62 in his first at-bat in the second game. There’s a chance he doesn’t suit up for today’s game since he hasn’t had much rest recently, but I expect most of the New York starters to be in.
Otto’s season has been up and down. He had a bad start to the year but gradually started to get better following the all-star break. He posted a 4.50 ERA in 6 starts in September, which was a little more hittable than his 2.93 ERA in 4 starts in August. However, I don’t see the Yankees wanting to go into the postseason on a loss. At this good of a price, I’ll take New York on the money line.
Check out our full game preview for the Yankees vs Rangers
Houston Astros -1.5 over Philadelphia Phillies (+120)
It took until the 9th inning, but the Phillies finally recorded a hit last night. Justin Verlander and Hunter Brown combined for a no-hitter through the first 8 innings, but Will Smith blew the combined no-no in the last inning of a 10-0 game. It was all Astros from the start as they hit Ranger Saurez early and often, which was led by Yordan Alvarez hitting 3 doubles while Jose Altuve went 3-for-3 to raise his season batting average to exactly .300. Framber Valdez will get the start in his last outing of the regular season, and it has been such a good year for the lefty until recently.
He broke the record for 25 consecutive quality starts, but then immediately got shelled by the Orioles in his next start and then got hit hard by the Rays after that. However, the Astros want to get his confidence up, and based on the way Philadelphia hit last night, they don’t care if they win or lose since they’re already in the wild-card. The last time Philadelphia starter Bailey Falter faced a good lefty-hitting lineup, he allowed 6 runs and 10 hits in 3.2 innings to the Braves. I’ll grab Houston to finish their season with a bang.
Check out our full game preview for the Phillies vs Astros
Boston Red Sox -1.5 over Tampa Bay Rays (+150)
This will be a very important game in Boston. Not for postseason implications, but because of the players. This might be the last time Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez wear a Red Sox uniform. Bogaerts has an opt-out after this season which he almost certainly will exercise, and nobody expects Martinez to return to Boston next season after his lackluster 2022 campaign. For that reason, there will be extra motivation for a win today. Both of them are playing for big offseason contracts, and they will face Josh Fleming, who has a 6.23 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP in 30.1 innings.
He hasn’t appeared in a big-league game in nearly a month, but two of his appearances this season came against the Red Sox, and he allowed 8 runs and 14 hits in 8 innings. He will face a Boston lineup that has smashed left-handed pitching this season as the Red Sox rank 4th in OBP and 8th in OPS. It’s become obvious that Kevin Cash doesn’t want to use any key relievers in this series, so he will likely leave Fleming to rot on the mound, even when things go south. Boston’s season is over after today, but I think they will go out with a bang.
Check out our full game preview for the Rays vs Red Sox
Los Angeles Dodgers -2 over Colorado Rockies (-120)
The Rockies waved the white flag on the season weeks ago, but starting Austin Gomber in game 162 is really throwing in the towel. Gomber was a starter in the Rockies’ starting rotation, but after a 5.85 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 16 starts, he was moved to the bullpen. To no surprise, he hasn’t been better in the bullpen as he’s posted a 5.11 ERA in 16 appearances as a reliever. Chad Kuhl was supposed to start this game, but he was placed on the injured list yesterday, ending his season and leaving the Rockies without a starter. So today’s game will feature most of the Rockies relievers as Gomber will likely only go a few innings since he’s thrown 3 innings only once since late August. In 55 plate appearances against Gomber, the Dodgers lineup has a .333 batting average and a .546 xSLG.
The southpaw will be opposed by Clayton Kershaw, who has been spectacular this season, and since he will be a vital piece of the Dodgers playoff run, I doubt he will go more than 5 innings. That leaves room for the excellent Los Angeles bullpen to close the door. A big win for the Dodgers is in store for game 162.
We’re 5-0 in our last 5 YRFI/NRFI picks, don’t miss today’s YRFI/NRFI best bets!
Wednesday’s MLB mega parlay (10/5)
Yankees ML (-120)
Astros -1.5 (+120)
Red Sox -1.5 (+155)
Dodgers alternate line -2 (-120)
Parlay odds: +1785
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