MLB Same Game Parlay Bets to Target on 2024 Opening Day

Looking for a new way to bet on Major League Baseball this summer? A Same Game Parlay (SGP) at FanDuel Sportsbook might be the answer!

SGPs allow you to combine two or more selections from the same game for a higher potential payout. For more information about parlays, SGP, and SGP+, head over to FanDuel.

Here at FanDuel Research, we're going to provide some SGPs builds to consider based on the games and props available for today, but there are plenty more popular parlay ideas available at FanDuel's Parlay Hub, too!

Which correlated bets stand out for today's MLB slate? Let's dig in.

Note: All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise. Please check FanDuel Research's projections to make sure you're seeing the most updated projections.

MLB Same Game Parlay Bets for Opening Day

New York Yankees at Houston Astros

Jose Altuve to Record a Hit (-270)
Gleyber Torres to Record a Hit (-230)
Alternate Total Runs: Over 7.5 (-180)

Combined SGP Odds: +159

The New York Yankees won't be rolling out Gerrit Cole to begin the season due to an elbow injury, leading to Nestor Cortes getting the nod. Cortes struggled to the tune of a 4.97 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP while also giving up a career-worst 40.9% hard-hit rate amid injuries and other factors in 2023.

With Cortes starting for the Yankees, Jose Altuve has the shortest odds (-270) to record a hit in Thursday's contest between the Yankees and Houston Astros. Altuve should bat leadoff again -- especially against lefties -- and he registered a .367 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and a minimal 14.2% strikeout rate in 113 plate appearances versus southpaws last season.

On the other side, the Yankees also get to face a lefty pitcher with Framber Valdez starting for the Astros on Opening Day. Gleyber Torres was among the players in New York's lineup who excelled against lefties in 2023, logging a .389 wOBA, a .269 ISO, and a 15.6% strikeout rate in 128 plate appearances.

By focusing on bats from both teams in this game, we can correlate the final leg of the SGP to be an alternate total runs line of 7.5. The current projected run total for the Yankees-Astros contest is sitting at 8.5, with the over having -122 odds.

This game will be among the few that isn't negatively affected by weather due to the game being played at Minute Maid Park, which has a retractable roof.

Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox

First 5 Innings Result: Detroit Tigers (-125)
Alternate Total Runs: Under 9.5 (-235)

Combined SGP Odds: +172

To begin the season, we'll be treated to a game between two AL Central teams -- the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox -- that aren't expected to win many games this year. But luckily for us, the Tigers will be trotting out Tarik Skubal on Opening Day to give us an ascending pitcher to watch.

Skubal posted an impressive 2.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and a 32.9% strikeout rate across 15 starts a season ago. The 27-year-old starter for the Tigers has been dominant in Spring Training while the White Sox are expected to deploy a below-average lineup in 2024.

With Skubal on the bump and the White Sox's expected woes, the Tigers can secure a lead in Thursday's matchup in the first five innings. While last year's numbers aren't entirely indicative of what could transpire this year, Chicago tallied the fourth-worst wOBA (.301) and the sixth-worst strikeout rate (25.1%) against lefties.

Additionally, taking the under on the alternate run total of 9.5 is worth consideration with Skubal pitching for Detroit. Despite the White Sox handing reliever-turned-starter Garrett Crochet the ball on Opening Day, the Tigers also posted the ninth-worst wOBA (.309) and the sixth-fewest runs scored (166) versus left-handed pitching in 2023.

According to Kevin Roth's MLB weather report, this game could have a temp around 50 degrees, so runs could be at a minimum in a chilly environment.

Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds

Josiah Gray Under 5.5 Strikeouts (-132)
Cincinnati Reds Over 4.5 Total Runs (-118)
Cincinnati Reds ML (-156)

Combined Odds: +220

It was a somewhat improved campaign in 2023 for Josiah Gray -- who will start for the Washington Nationals on Opening Day -- as he went from having a 49.2% flyball rate and 10.7% barrel rate in 2022 to a 41.1% flyball rate and 9.4% barrel rate a year ago.

One concern for Gray was the fact his strikeout rate dropped from 23.7% in 2022 to 20.5% in 2023. Even though Spring Training numbers aren't guaranteed to carry over into the regular season, Gray has sputtered in exhibition games this spring, allowing 12 earned runs and a 1.96 WHIP in 16.1 innings pitched.

Despite Gray striking out 25 batters in those Spring Training innings, the Cincinnati Reds can force an early exit from Gray. The Reds have a young, exciting lineup that will begin the season at home in a hitter-friendly venue at Great American Ball Park.

Also, teams are often cautious with pitchers to begin the season, so a lower pitch count could also work in our favor for the under on Gray's strikeouts.

With Gray getting the start, the Reds could find themselves scoring early and producing five-plus runs overall on Opening Day. Cincinnati accrued the 10th-best wOBA (.324) and the ninth-best ISO (.174) against right-handed pitching last season.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.