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Best MLB Parlay Picks Today (Back Astros at Home, A Road Underdog, and a Team Total at Wrigley Field)

By Ben Heisler

Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker has two home runs over his last two games in their series vs. the Boston Red Sox.
Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker has two home runs over his last two games in their series vs. the Boston Red Sox. / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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With several games already taking place in the afternoon on getaway day in the Major Leagues, we're saving up some bets for a short three-game slate tonight.

For today's "Best MLB Parlay," we've got a little bit of everything from each game on the board. We're putting together a moneyline pick, a five inning team total, and a road dog to make it a little more interesting.

Let's dive in, with all available odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Best MLB Parlay Picks for Thursday, May 19

  • Astros ML vs. Rangers (-205)
  • Cubs TT F5 UNDER 2.5 (-135)
  • Mariners ML at Red Sox (+107)

At +436 odds, a $25 wager would win $109.02 if it hits!

Astros ML vs. Rangers (-205)

This is not an ideal time for the Rangers to throw out Glenn Otto on the road.

His ERA is 6.38, and his expected ERA (xERA) over at Fangraphs is almost a full run higher. He faces an Astros lineup that ranks first in baseball in OPS and home runs since the start of May.

As much as I'd love to lean on the run line, the Rangers have been running hot; winners of four straight. In case they make a late run, like they did vs. Houston back on April 25, I don't mind the high odds here as just one leg of our parlay.

Cubs TT F5 UNDER 2.5 (-135)

I took the Cubs UNDER team total of 4.5 runs as my top MLB prop bet of day at BetSided because I doubt their offense can hit Zac Gallen; even with the wind blowing out. For the parlay, however, I feel more confident going with the innings that Gallen is likely to be on the mound, rather than trust Arizona's bullpen later on.

Gallen has been phenomenal this season; going 2-0 with an ERA of 1.05, and a minuscule HR/9 of 0.26 this season. He's given up one home run all year, coming against the Cubs his last time out, but also struck out nine in six innings, giving up just two hits.

Normally when the wind blows out at Wrigley Field, it becomes the most hitter-friendly ballpark in the country, but Gallen's ability to keep the ball down and limit damage make this under a sneaky value to add to the board.

Mariners ML at Red Sox (+107)

What's a parlay without a little bit of underdog action?

The Mariners throw right-hander George Kirby on the bump in Boston against the 42-year old veteran, Rich Hill, this evening.

In his first two career starts, Kirby has been poised as a young 24-year old first round pick; striking out eight batters in 10 innings while walking just one.

Meanwhile, Hill has held it together in his first six starts of the year, but his strikeouts-per-nine innings is the lowest of his career, hovering just under 7. He's done a good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark, but I worry that could regress with his ground ball rate also at the lowest percentage since 2006.

Seattle has also had extremely patient vs. left-handed pitching this year, ranking first in baseball with an 11.5% walk rate this year.

Expect Kirby to continue to baffle, while the Mariners get a few balls out of the park on Hill at Fenway this evening.

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