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Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

MLB best bets: This parlay is a Thursday afternoon delight

By Jared Shlensky | Last updated 5/3/23

Thursday's MLB slate features nine afternoon games, but that's not going to stop us from placing an afternoon parlay. And why should it? Baseball used to be played only during the day ages ago, and with a parlay north of +100, you'll be in a whole lot better of a mood later on during the day after this parlay cashes.

First, we start with the Atlanta Braves, who have absolutely owned the Miami Marlins this season. These teams have played each other six times already and Atlanta has won five of them, all of which have been by multiple runs. And considering the Braves have outscored the fish 48-19 in the first six games of the series, taking the Braves just to win shouldn't be much of a problem.

So, even if Braves starter Dylan Dodd struggles again, don't be all that concerned. Kyle Wright started for Atlanta on Wednesday and only recorded six outs, and the Braves still won by eight runs. Some teams just have another team's number, and that's the case here with Atlanta.

Don't get us wrong, Marlins starter Jesus Luzardo is a solid pitcher, and definitely better than Dodd, but the Braves' offense is just raking right now. Unfortunately for Marlins fans, the same cannot be said for their offense. This game might be closer than the first two games of this series, but still, take Atlanta on the moneyline. The Braves have the best record in the National League, and betting against them is a very bad idea.

The White Sox offense looks rejuvenated with Tim Anderson back in the lineup and Minnesota's Pablo Lopez has gotten roughed up in his last two starts — 11 runs on 16 hits — after starting the season on a tear, so the over of six runs should be far from a problem on Thursday. Plus, the over of six runs has hit in the last two games of this series and Chicago has covered the over nearly 60% of the time.

And did we mention the White Sox have the second-worst bullpen ERA in baseball and sit in the bottom half of the league in defensive fielding percentage? No, we didn't, right? Yeah, that's not good, and likely going to lead to another run or two.

We're well aware the Twins are below .500 against the over this year, but that's why we altered total runs to six. Minnesota has covered the over six runs in three of its last four games and eight of its last 10, so the odds are in our favor. Both teams have picked it up a bit offensively, and with a high of 65 degrees on the south side of Chicago on Thursday, don't be surprised if you see more than a couple of home runs. Guaranteed Rate Field tends to be a hitter's ballpark as the weather warms up, so if you're sitting in the outfield, bring your glove because you should have a shot or two at catching a homer.

The Bet: Chicago White Sox/Minnesota Twins (over six runs) AND Atlanta Braves (moneyline) (+110 odds via Caesars Sportsbook)
Bet $100 to win $110

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