Best MLB Parlay Picks Today (Reds, Astros Highlight Top Parlay Bets)

There's 16 games scheduled in a whopping MLB slate today. We've got marquee pitching matchups, crazy winds expected and a whole bunch of value to pick from.

Be sure to check out the BetSided team's previews of each game and kick back to enjoy the Saturday sun with all your dollars.

As you do that, there's a few matchups that're exploding with value like a fireworks display of cash. Using the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook, let's dive into my favorite MLB parlay picks of the day:

Best MLB Parlay Picks Today

Astros -1.5 (-125)

Kicking off the day with Justin Verlander at home against a White Sox club that's lost five of six as road underdogs. The 'Stros are 16-6 in their last 22 as home favorites and 8-1 in Verlander's last nine starts. He's got a 1.65 home ERA and surrendered just one run in his last 20 innings at Minute Maid Park.

On the other end, Johnny Cueto is in just the 13th percentile in average exit velocity and the White Sox have lost three straight behind him by a combined score of 17-5. Chicago's bullpen has been a disaster lately and manager Tony La Russa is equally poor.

With Verlander on the mound and an Astros lineup that's heating up, roll with Houston.

Rangers (-120) vs Tigers

The Tigers have the lowest team OPS of any club in the last 10 years. Seriously. They're historically bad offensively and starter Rony Garcia has a 7.00 ERA as a starter. His 7.16 expected ERA is among the worst marks in MLB, and Detroit's bullpen has been poor recently.

Put it altogether, and it's no wonder the Tigers have lost six straight. I think their slide continues against Taylor Hearn and the Rangers today. Texas is 5-2 over their last seven and 6-2 in Hearn's last eight starts as he allowed three or fewer runs seven times in that stretch.

This line should be bigger in my eyes, so I'm all over the Rangers today.

Reds (-108) vs Brewers

The Reds have moved from underdogs to slight favorites since I wrote how much I loved their value this morning, but that only emboldens my stance. Cincy is a perfect 5-0 behind rookie sensation Graham Ashcraft, who ranks in the 96th percentile in average exit velocity and 93rd in barrel percentage. Milwaukee already is just 23rd in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last three weeks, so Ashcraft could make them look downright silly.

Jason Alexander has pitched well for the Brewers but his 4.59 expected ERA means the Reds will have their opportunities. Milwaukee is 3-10 over their last 13 and I don't think they can hang with Ashcraft. Give me the Reds as slight home favorites to take advantage of the Brewers' offensive slump.

Phillies (-165) vs Nationals

I agree with Reed Wallach that there should be plenty of runs scored today, but I'll take Aaron Nola and the visitors instead of the over. Josiah Gray has pitched well recently, but his last three starts came against three struggling lineups in the Marlins, Reds, and Rockies. The Phillies are fourth in OPS over the last three weeks and should feast on Gray's propensity to issue walks and surrender home runs.

Nola, meanwhile, is on fire. The Phillies have won four straight behind him by a combined score of 23-10 and he's got a 2.70 ERA at home. Washington has lost seven straight at home while Philadelphia has won 14 of 16. Back the Phillies to bring Gray back to earth and stay hot.

Guardians (+215) vs Dodgers

I'll end things with my favorite squad to back of late, the surging Cleveland Guardians. They've covered the run line in five of their last six as underdogs and should hang with the Dodgers again today.

Cleveland has won three straight behind Cal Quantrill, who has a 2.38 ERA in June and has thrown a quality start in eight of his last nine outings. The Guardians have advantages running bases, defending and in the bullpen, and I'm not sure how large the gap is between Quantrill and Julio Urias right now.

Urias gave up five home runs in his last three starts and the Dodgers are 1-6 in his last seven starts. His 4.57 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is higher than Quantrill's (4.23) and I can't trust him with Los Angeles' struggling lineup behind him.

The Dodgers are averaging 1.83 runs per game in their last six and are 6-10 in their last 16 as a favorite. With odds like this, the value is too good to pass up on a Cleveland squad that's won 14 of 17.

MLB Parlay For June 18, 2022

The "Fireworks of Cash" Parlay (+3115)

• Astros -1.5 (-125) vs White Sox

• Rangers (-120) vs Tigers

• Reds (-108) vs Brewers

• Phillies (-165) vs Nationals

• Guardians (+215) vs Dodgers

Isn't it lovely! We've got a full slate with tons of games to choose from, so feel free to pick your favorite matchups over at WynnBET to craft your own parlay.

Keep these plays in mind though. A $25 bet on all five returns $778.83 and there are worse ways I can think of to invest $25. It's hard to hit them of course, so spend wisely and choose the ones you feel most confident in.

Fingers crossed we'll be throwing dollars all over the yard to cool off from the hot Saturday Sun. Best of luck as always and let's get after it!

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.