MLB Parlay Picks for Today, Fri 7/5: +1013 odds: Take Tanner Houck at plus odds

Yesterday was full of hot dog eating contests, fireworks, and baseball. And while we likely won’t have many hot dog eating contests and fireworks today, we will still have plenty of baseball. I’ve dug into today’s slate and have 3 MLB picks that create a parlay at over 10/1 odds, so let’s jump into it!

Boston Red Sox ML (+120) over New York Yankees

The Yankees have hit a major slump. Well, not Aaron Judge, but the rest of the team. New York has lost 13 of their last 17 games and enter this series on a sour note. Just a few weeks ago, the Red Sox took 2 out of 3 from the Yankees which was the start of New York's struggles. Neither of tonight's starters appeared in that series either which makes tonight's game even more interesting. Nestor Cortes will get the bump for the Yankees and he's been the most consistent starter in their rotation. The southpaw posted a 1-3 record with a 3.97 ERA in June, but here's the issue – the Sox lineup has crushed Cortes in their careers. Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, Rob Refsynder, Dominic Smith, and Connor Wong are a combined 12-for-29 (.414) with 7 extra-base hits against Cortes. Plus, in the midst of their struggles, the Yankees will need to face Tanner Houck – a Cy Young candidate. I'm taking the better lineup and pitcher an d backing the Sox as underdogs.

Cleveland Guardians -1.5 (+130) over San Francisco Giants

Even though the Guardians own one of the best records in all of baseball, I feel as if they continue to be disrespected. Cleveland boasts one of the most productive lineups in the game as well as an above-average pitching staff that has seen Tanner Bibee rise into an ace. It wasn't always a great season for Bibee though since his season ERA was nearly at 5 in early May. But after a solid May and an excellent June, Bibee has lowered his ERAn to 3.47 with a 3.26 xERA. The right-hander limited hitters to a .208 batting average and .191 xBA during his 5 starts last month, and what improved the most was his control. Bibee posted a 36% strikeout rate and just a 4% walk rate in June. As for his counterpart on Friday, it's uncertain. The Giants have not named a starter for today which isn't uncommon since San Francisco's rotation has been plagued with injury. I'm taking Bibee and the Guardians to start this series with a statement win.

Philadelphia Phillies ML (+120) over Atlanta Braves

It hasn't been often that the Phillies have been the underdog this season. But with no Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, or Kyle Schwarber in the lineup and facing Max Fried and the Braves, this is one of those times. However, I'm willing to put my faith in a deep Phillies lineup, and more importantly, Aaron Nola. Besides one blowup outing in Boston, Nola was fantastic in June. He allowed 3 runs or less in 4 of his 5 starts last month while displaying phenomenal control since he surrendered just 3 walks in 30.1 innings. As for Fried, he's also been doing great recently. He's given up just 3 runs in his last 3 starts, but 2 of those starts were against the Pirates and Tigers – teams that rank 23rd and 26th in wRC+ versus left-handed pitching. As for the Phillies, they rank 7th in wRC+ against southpaws this season. I'm taking my chances with the underdogs tonight in Atlanta.