Opening Day. I have goosebumps.
Fifteen games are a lot to take in after an offseason of non-stop analysis, so I’ll be your Thursday guide to same-game parlays (SGPs) through this glorious 2025 MLB season. I was asked to make a tough decision by choosing just one SGP, which was impossible, so I went with three same-game parlays.
I’m a sucker for stats and trends but vibes are key for Opening Day. Let’s ride.
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Thursday’s Best MLB Same Game Parlay Picks
(Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks
- Leg 1: Zac Gallen Under 15.5 Outs (-185)
- Leg 2: Corbin Carroll Over 1.5 Total Bases (+155)
- Leg 3: Diamondbacks Moneyline (-130)
Here’s how Opening Day starting pitchers under manager Torey Lovullo have played out the last four years for the Diamondbacks:
- 2024 – Zac Gallen: 5.0 innings, 90 pitches
- 2023 – Zac Gallen: 4.2 innings, 89 pitches
- 2022 – Madison Bumgarner: 3.0 innings, 68 pitches
- 2021 – Madison Bumgarner: 4.0 innings, 91 pitches
No Diamondbacks starter has seen the sixth inning of an Opening Day game under Lovullo - a trend that will continue in 2025 as the Diamondbacks look to keep their ace healthy.
After a year of struggling with a shoulder injury, Corbin Carroll is finally healthy and raking. Hitting .400 across spring training, I expect him to put the ball in play and leg out a double as the Diamondbacks pull out a win against the visiting Cubs.
Parlay Odds: (+410)
Los Angeles Angels @ Chicago White Sox
- Leg 1: Angels Moneyline (-155)
- Leg 2: Yusei Kikuchi Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-120)
- Leg 3: Taylor Ward to Get a Hit (-205)
In 10 games last year after getting traded to the Astros, Yusei Kikuchi quietly dominated with a 0.93 WHIP with 76 strikeouts in 63 innings. I expect him to overwhelm an abhorrent White Sox team and put the Angels in a good situation to win.
Toss in the split advantage with Taylor Ward, and this parlay is too easy. Don’t sleep on a healthy Angels team, as they’re trying to build a squad to win now.
Parlay Odds: (+262)
New York Mets @ Houston Astros
- Leg 1: Over 8 Runs (-125)
- Leg 2: Mark Vientos Over 0.5 RBI (+160)
- Leg 3: Jeremy Pena to Get a Hit (-195)
There will be fireworks in Houston on Opening Day in what I expect to be a high-scoring game with plenty of wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am home runs. (I promise I’ll never call a home run that again, sorry). Jeremy Pena has been red-hot in spring training, hitting .475 with four home runs. He keeps it going on Opening Day.
Mark Vientos batting cleanup behind Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso will allow him to see a lot of quality pitches in high-leverage spots with runners on base. In a game I project as high-scoring, I want a cleanup hitter with three MVP candidates batting ahead of him.
I’ll see you all in one week. The best day of the year is finally upon us.
Parlay Odds: (+385)
