MLB weekend parlay picks and game info

THE MLB trade deadline is today and we’ve already seen several blockbuster trades with big names shifting alliances.

We’re heading down the final stretch towards the MLB playoffs and teams are making moves to ensure they have the best chance at playing postseason baseball. Has your team done enough to make a legitimate run?

With traded players arriving to their new teams – we’re in for a great weekend of baseball.

I have a 3-game MLB parlay this weekend, split between Saturday and Sunday. In order to place this parlay, you’ll need to bet an “open parlay”, which is a bet type available at the 5Dimes Sportsbook.

Once the odds for Saturday are out you can place the open parlay with Saturday’s picks. Just make sure you leave one open spot on the parlay for Sunday’s game, as the odds won’t be out when you initially place the wager.

If you’re placing a bet on the MLB, sign up at 5Dimes.com and cash in on the bonus bets!

Royals vs. Blue Jays money line prediction

Saturday, August 1st 2015 at 1:07pm ET

Venue: Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada

The Toronto Blue Jays (51-51) opened up a home series against the Kansas City Royals (61-39) tonight (Thursday).

There’s a buzz in Toronto and the stadium will be rocking all weekend after the trades they made this week. We’ve already seen what Troy Tulowitzki can do – he went 3 for 5 with a HR and 3 RBI’s in his Blue Jays debut.

It’s not like the Blue Jays needed another bat – they rank 1st in the majors in runs scored (5.27 RPG). However, they also traded for former CY Young winner David Price. He won’t play a role in this match-up, but the trade should motivate the entire team.

If it wasn’t clear, it is now, the Blue Jays are going all in on making the MLB playoffs this year.

Mark Buehrle 11-5 (3.29 ERA and 1.19 WHIP) will take the mound on Saturday for the Jays. Buehrle just beat the Royals on July 11th. He pitched 7 solid innings, while only allowing 5 hits and 2 ER’s.

Buehrle is also 5-1 at the Rogers Centre with a 2.98 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Yordano Ventura 5-7 (4.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP) is scheduled to start for KC. He has been hit hard most of the season and Jays batting order is stacked.

The Blue Jays need to start winning and with a big pitching edge, the Jays can’t throw this one away.

Best Bet: Toronto Blue Jays to win at 5Dimes

Pirates vs. Reds run line predictions

Saturday, August 1st 2015 at 7:10pm ET

Venue: Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Pittsburgh Pirates (59-41) are going to be fairly big favorites against the Cincinnati Reds (45-54) on Saturday.

Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are opening up a 4-game series tonight at Great American Ballpark. The Reds just traded away Johnny Cueto and they’re completely out of the playoff race at this point – I expect them to struggle down the stretch.

The Pirates are 4.5 games back of the Cardinals in the NL Central and 3.5 games back in the wild card race.

Gerrit Cole 14-4 (2.24 ERA and 1.08 WHIP) takes the mound for the Pirates and he has been dominant this season. Cole is 0-2 against the Reds this season, but since his last loss to the Reds, he has gone 3-1 and looked sharp.

I really like the Pirates because their big bats should have no problem hitting Raisel Iglesias 1-3 (5.53 ERA and 1.48 WHIP). the youngster has allowed 4+ runs in three of his last four starts. He hasn’t played Pittsburgh this year.

Pittsburgh are a respectable .500 on the road (24-24) and need this win.

This is a game they should dominate and I’ll be betting on the Pirates to win on the run line.

The Pirates rank 2nd in runs allowed (3.54 RPG) and 16th in runs scored (4.13 RPG). This is a solid team that’s trying to make a push into the playoffs again. The Reds rank 19th in runs scored (3.94 RPG) and 25th in runs allowed (4.43 RPG).

Cincinnati are 7-2 against the Pirates this season, which is concerning, but that should ensure we get a better line.

Best Bet: Pittsburgh Pirates at 5Dimes

Giants vs. Rangers prediction and odds

Sunday, August 2nd at 3:05pm ET

Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas

I’m rolling with two road teams on this parlay, but just like the Pirates, the San Francisco Giants (56-45) should have little problem beating the Texas Rangers (48-52) on Sunday, especially with Chris Heston on the mound.

Heston 11-5 (3.14 ERA and 1.15 WHIP) is 6-1 on the road this season for the Giants.

Martin Perez 0-2 (10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP) has been terrible in three starts this month. The young gun isn’t ready for the majors and he’s getting hit hard. He gave up 7 hits and 8 ER’s in one inning last time out against the NYY.

It can’t get any worse for Perez, but his upside looks very limited in this match-up.

After starting the month 1-7 – the Giants have gone 13-2 since and are on fire. The bats have come alive, but the pitching is what has been winning them games all month. They’ll be road favorites, but this should be an easy win.

Offense isn’t really what the Giants are known for, but they rank 8th in runs scored (4.33 RPG), while only allowing teams to score 3.79 RPG (9th). Texas can score (4.35 RPG – 7th), but they allow 4.80 RPG (27th).

Texas have some pop in the line-up and they’re averaging just over one home run per game.

They may get a solo shot on Heston, but the hitters have been under producing as of late. Texas are also brutal at home for whatever reasons – they’re 17-28 at home compared to 31-24 on the road.

Bet on the Giants money line.

Best Bet: San Francisco Giants ML

I’ll be betting these three games on an open parlay at 5Dimes, plus betting them all straight-up. I’ve been in the habit of missing on one game on these MLB parlays, so it’s always ideal to bet them SU as well.