Andrew Ortenberg
MLB
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The 2021 MLB season kicked off over a month ago now, and the action has been jam-packed. Why not celebrate a reduced Thursday slate by going for a big payday? That’s right, we’re back with another MLB mega parlay, this time a three-teamer with a payout of 15/1, where we’re counting on the Phillies to win big.
We just cashed our MLB mega parlay on Tuesday at +1287 odds, let’s do it again on Thursday. 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.
New York Yankees -2.5 (+175)
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+235)
Kansas City Royals ML (-130)
Parlay odds: +1521
Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
New York Yankees -2.5 (+175)
The Yankees have won the first two games of this series by at least three runs, why not make it three in a row? Their offense has officially woken up, and they’ve won seven of eight overall. Each of those seven wins have come by multiple runs, so I feel comfortable with the alt run line here. They have a huge edge on the mound here, with Gerrit Colt squaring off against Lance McCullers Jr.
Cole is arguably the best pitcher in the American League, and he has a 1.43 ERA and 0.72 WHIP through six starts. He’s yet to give up more than two earned runs and has struck out at least eight every time. McCullers is solid but not spectacular, and has walked 14 batters in only 26 and 2/3 innings this year. Against a Yankees offense that is heating up, those control issues will come back to bite him.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees.
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+235)
I like the Phillies a lot on the run line here. They’re hot right now, having won each of the first three games of this series. The Brewers’ last game before this series started was a 16-4 loss to the Dodgers, so they’re having a tough time. Brandon Woodruff isn’t nearly as good as his numbers suggest, and there’s value in fading him while his stock is at an all-time high.
He’s been brilliant in four of his six outings, but three of those great starts came against the Cubs. Clearly, he just has their number. When he had to face tougher Twins and Dodgers lineups he got roughed up, giving up five earned runs and 15 baserunners in 10 innings. The Phillies will start Zack Wheeler, and his advanced metrics show he’s been even better than his 3.49 ERA so far indicates. Philly will make it four in a row here.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies.
Kansas City Royals ML (-130)
To say the Royals have an advantage in this starting pitching matchup would be a massive understatement. Danny Duffy will toe the rubber for Kansas City against Triston McKenzie for Cleveland. The Indians have a weak offense and are only worth backing when they have one of their top starters on the mound. Cleveland is hitting just .210 as a team this season, which ranks 28th in the league.
McKenzie has an ERA of 6.27, Duffy’s is 0.60. Duffy has made five starts, giving up one run twice and zero runs five times. Not surprisingly, Kansas City has won four of his five outings. The Indians have lost four of the five times that McKenzie has pitched. McKenzie lasted just two innings his last time out, and this Royals offense has far surpassed expectations this year.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals.
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