Best MLB Parlay Picks Today: Paul Skenes Is on the Bump

Paul Skenes will make his second MLB start on Friday, and the Pirates are the centerpiece of our MLB parlay. We’re also backing two other dominant wings to end the week.

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MLB Parlay Picks Today: Pirates vs. Cubs (2:20 PM, EST)

Pirates Moneyline (-104) at FanDuel

The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a key divisional matchup on Friday afternoon. Six games are separating these two teams in the NL Central. The Cubs are currently 25-19 and in second place, while Pittsburgh is 19-25 in third place. 

The Pirates are starting rookie sensation and number one pick in the 2023 MLB draft, Paul Skenes. He is 0-0 on the season with a 6.75 ERA. 

His ERA doesn’t reflect the pitcher’s dominance. Skenes lights up the radar gun at over 100 miles per hour and has outstanding secondary pitches.

The Cubs are going with Kyle Hendricks who is 0-3 on the year with a 10.04 ERA. Hendricks has shown signs of regression this season and is getting hit hard all over the park. 

This is a matchup of the young up-and-coming Skenes against an old veteran in Hendricks. Look for Skenes to dominate in his second outing of the year and show his capability. 

Bet on Pirates ML (-104) at FanDuel

MLB Parlay Picks Today: Padres vs. Braves (7:20 PM, EST)

Braves Moneyline (-215) at FanDuel

On Friday night, Atlanta will host San Diego in the first matchup of this series. The Padres are 22-24 on the year, trailing the Dodgers by 7.5 games in the NL West. The Braves are 26-14 and in second place in the NL East.

San Diego will start Matt Waldron, who has struggled tremendously this season. Waldron has a 1-5 record in 39.1 innings. He has a 5.49 ERA this season.

The Braves are going with Max Fried in this matchup who is 3-1 with a 3.57 ERA. In 45.1 innings this year, he has struck out 37 batters and holds a 1.04 WHIP. 

Look for Atlanta’s bats to stay hot in this matchup and to score some runs off Waldron. The Braves' moneyline is juiced to -215, but for a good reason. It is a good idea to add them in your parlay for Friday. 

Bet on Braves ML (-215) at FanDuel

MLB Parlay Picks Today: Athletics vs. Royals (7:40 PM, EST)

Royals Moneyline (TBD) at FanDuel

The Athletics are playing the Royals on Friday night in Kansas City. Oakland is 19-26 this season and in third place in the AL West. kansas City is 26-19 on the year, only 1.5 games out of first place to the Guardians in the AL Central.

Oakland is starting Alex Wood who has a 1-3 record this season with a 5.26 ERA. Wood is coming off a left shoulder injury and just joined the team today after going on the 15-day IL.

The Royals are going with ace left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans, who is one of the nastiest pitchers in baseball. 

Ragans is 2-3 on the year with a 4.22 ERA, but he has been better than his numbers. The pitcher has struck out 57 batters in 49 innings, which is well above league average.

Look for Ragans to strike out a ton of Oakland hitters on Friday, and for the Kansas City bats to stay hot. The Royals are a great parlay piece for Friday.

Bet on Royals ML at FanDuel Sportsbook

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