It’s Gut Punch Monday as we look to knock the wind out our bookies with this 4 team 1st 5 Gut Punch Parlay.
Four Team 1st 5 Parlay (FIRST FIVE INNINGS ONLY)
PAYS 8.95 to 1
1. TIGERS -130. The Yankees played at Boston on Sunday night on ESPN and then had to travel back home to face Detroit. I look for them to be somewhat sluggish and that's never a good thing when you're facing Max Scherzer who throws very hard. Scherzer's numbers may appear down a little compared to last season when he was out of this world but his xFIP and K/BB numbers are nearly identical and he has looked sharp in his last two outings. The Yankees send Brandon McCarthy to the mound who has looked good since they acquired him via trade but I get the sense he was riding an adrenaline boost that might be fading, as evidenced by his last start against the Rangers.
2. METS +115. The Mets have seen a lot of ex Brave Tim Hudson and Gee claims he feels he is throwing the ball better so I think it makes sense to take the plus money on the Mets who will be salty coming off a 9-0 loss.
3. NATIONALS -140. The Orioles' bats have been cold and Nelson Cruz is slumping so I think it makes sense to fade them here in what should be a tough atmosphere for their young pitcher Gausman.
4. INDIANS -190. Alfredo Simon's 2.84 ERA is misleading when you consider his xFIP is 3.99. The Indians' bats have been hot while the Reds' have not so we will look to back the Tribe and Corey Kluber's impressive 2.70 xFIP.