MLB parlay picks August 31: Bet on Dodgers to cover against Braves
A light four-game MLB schedule focuses our attention on two of Thursday's matchups.
The pregame narrative: The Los Angeles Dodgers are surging up the standings and are our pick as a teased-up run-line underdog while Will Smith appears to be a quality option to record a knock. Elsewhere, we're teasing down the total and taking the over between the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals.
Find all our MLB parlay picks for Aug. 31 below.
MLB parlay picks overview
MLB oddsas of 8:09 a.m. ET on 08/31/23.
MLB parlay picks
Parlay: Dodgers +2.5 + Smith over 0.5 hits + Marlins vs. Nationals over 6.5 runs (+172)
Dodgers +2.5 (-265): This wager seems like an absolute no-brainer considering how well Los Angeles has been playing.
The Dodgers have won 24 of 28 games this month, covering this mark the same amount of times. This includes seven victories in their last eight contests entering Thursday's action.
It's no secret that the Atlanta Braves have been a wrecking ball this year, but they haven't been covering this number with much frequency lately. Atlanta has only won five of its last 10 games by three or more runs.
The pitching battle favours the Braves with Spencer Strider taking on Lance Lynn, but the latter has been very good since joining the Dodgers. Lynn has a 2.03 ERA and is keeping opposing hitters to a .266 on-base percentage in five starts.
Los Angeles has won all five of his starts.
Other parlay picks
Smith over 0.5 hits (-180): One Dodger who has found success against Strider is Smith.
The catcher has four hits, including two doubles, in just six at-bats versus the Atlanta star. His four hits are tied for the second most of any hitter versus a pitcher on Thursday's slate.
Smith is swatting .271 this season and is a reliable bat on most nights. He's entering this game after a pair of multi-hit performances and has at least one knock in 16 of his last 23 outings.
Marlins vs. Nationals over 6.5 runs (-315): Lastly, we're teasing down this game's total by a couple of runs and backing the over.
The starting pitchers are why we're expecting plenty of offence as Braxton Garrett battles Joan Adon.
Garrett owns a 3.96 ERA this year and that number has been climbing since the start of July. He's posted a 4.64 ERA in 10 games during this stretch to go with a 4.30 FIP.
The over on this total has hit in 12 of his last 15 appearances.
Adon has been even worse this season as he sports a 5.25 ERA and a 4.64 FIP. There have been seven-plus runs scored in all six of his outings this year.
