Best MLB Parlay Picks Today (Phillies, Orioles, Pirates, & Dodgers Gun for Second Straight Huge Cash)

It's a myth that lightning cannot strike twice in one place, because our bank accounts just got a second jolt over the last few days with another parlay cash yesterday!

The Cubs had me scared, but a little sweat is good for the soul. We're finding our stride here and it feels lovely. With BetSided's matchup previews in hand, I'm stoked to tackle today's 15-game slate.

Martha Stewart claimed on The Ellen Degeneres Show once that she'd been struck by lightning three separate times. I just changed the nickname of my checking account to "Martha Stewart" - bring on the bolts of dollars, Zeus!

Okay, enough tomfoolery. Using odds from WynnBET Sportsbook, here are my favorite MLB parlay picks of the day:

Best MLB Parlay Picks Today

Phillies (-155) vs Reds

Ranger Suarez is taking a leap before our eyes. After outdueling Max Scherzer in last week's win over the Mets, Suarez has a 1.28 ERA in his last five starts. He's a menace on the road, with the Philadelphia Phillies winning nine of his 10 outings away from home, including six straight.

His underlying metrics prove this stretch is no fluke as well. Over his last eight starts, Suarez has an expected FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) below 3.92 each time.

As a cherry on top, the Phillies lead MLB in OPS against left-handed pitchers over the last three weeks. Thus, their lineup should find success against Nick Lodolo, who has promise but walked four batters in both of his last two outings.

Lodolo had a 5.02 expected FIP in last week's Field of Dreams loss and a 6.83 expected FIP in his start before that, so he's nowhere near Suarez's level right now. Back the Phillies to win an eighth straight game as road favorites as the Cincinnati Reds fall to 1-5 in their last six as home underdogs.

Orioles +1.5 (-145) vs Blue Jays

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The Baltimore Orioles are 22-4 on the run line in their last 26 games as underdogs while the Toronto Blue Jays haven't covered the run line as a favorite in 10 straight. It's the Orioles' world and we're just living in it.

Today's starter is due for positive regression too, as Austin Voth has a 5.34 ERA but a 3.86 expected FIP. Meanwhile, Blue Jays' righty Ross Stripling is overvalued, with a 3.16 ERA but 3.70 expected FIP.

Given Baltimore's significant bullpen advantage, in addition to the fact it ranks 10th in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last three weeks and Toronto is 24th, I'd argue the Orioles should be favored.

Like I said yesterday, I'll keep riding the Baltimore gravy train until the wheels fall off.

Pittsburgh Pirates First Five Innings (+120) vs Red Sox

Roansy Contreras returns to the majors after the Pirates sent him to Triple-A to manipulate his service time. Make no mistake though, the 22-year-old flame-thrower is legit.

Contreras allowed just one run in three of his last four major league starts and I expect him to pitch well against a Boston Red Sox lineup that ranks 21st in OPS against right-handed pitchers since the All-Star Break.

Believe me, I love Contreras, but I also love to fade Rich Hill. He's got an 8.84 ERA in his last three starts, all losses, with disastrous underlying metrics. The Pittsburgh Pirates are hitting lefties well and should be rejuvenated behind Contreras.

I don't trust the Pirates bullpen, so I'll stick to the first five innings to capitalize on the advantage Roansy has over Hill.

Dodgers (-165) vs Brewers

To round out today's parlay, I'm fading the daylights out of Milwaukee Brewers' starter Eric Lauer. He's got an expected FIP above 4.42 in five straight starts, including four above 4.92. That'd be the second-worst mark among qualified pitchers over the whole year, and you may have heard that the Dodgers' lineup is pretty decent.

Los Angeles is 12-1 in Tony Gonsolin's last 13 starts and 14-2 in its last 16 as road favorites. The Brewers, on the other hand, are just 2-6 in their last eight as home underdogs.

As long as Craig Kimbrel doesn't pitch, I have confidence the Dodgers get it done in a revenge spot.

MLB Parlay for August 17, 2022

The "Go Greased Lightning" Parlay (+882)

• Phillies (-155) vs Reds

• Orioles +1.5 (-145) vs Blue Jays

• Pirates First Five Innings (+120) vs Red Sox

• Dodgers (-165) vs Brewers

Bang, bang! There it is, in all it's glory.

With games throughout the day and evening, hopefully we'll have a full day's worth of entertainment from this four-team parlay. It's time to nail a back-to-back huge cash.

Best of luck - let's get after it!

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.