Mets and Max Scherzer put punch into this parlay

Obviously anytime you place a parlay, you want the risk to be worth it. What does that usually include? Even odds or better. But does that mean you shouldn't place a parlay even if you're not getting even odds? Absolutely not. 

That's why Monday's MLB parlay — Braves/Pirates over 5.5 runs and Mets over Yankees — is still worth betting. Though the odds are not terrible at -103, they're just not at double or better. 

The reigning champs might not be the team they were a year ago, but one thing is certain: they can still hit. Even without All-Star Freddie Freeman, Atlanta enters Monday's game with the third-most runs scored in baseball and leads the National League in home runs (186). That's pretty darn good, considering they were without Ronald Acuna to begin the season and Ozzie Albies has been out the last two months.

That's why we love the over of 5.5 runs between the Braves and Pirates. Heck, the Braves might score six runs on their own. Atlanta has scored four or more runs in three straight and have scored five or more runs in five of its last seven. Best of all, the over of 8.5 runs has hit in Atlanta's last three games. Meanwhile, the final score has been nine or more in Pittsburgh's last five games and six of its last seven. 

Yes, Pittsburgh has scored the fewest runs in the NL, but Bucs starter Roansy Contreras simply can't be trusted right now. The 22-year-old has a 5.51 ERA in his last seven starts and has allowed four homers over his last three starts. This is exactly what you're looking for if you're taking the over of 5.5 runs like we are.

As for our second leg — Mets over Yankees — expect this one to be close. Any time these two teams play each other, it always seems to be close. That was the case when both teams played at Citi Field in July, so expect the same at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. 

However, the Yankees simply can't be trusted. The Yankees have yet to win a series this month and are just 5-15 over their last 20 games. Ouch ... especially for a team like the Yankees. They just can't put it together right now — offense, defense, starting pitching, base running, bullpen, etc. 

And the Mets ... well, they've had the exact opposite problem. The Mets are 21-7 over their last 28 games and have been getting stellar outings from their starting staff. Speaking of starters, you know who's pitching on Monday for the Mets? Max Scherzer. 

How has Scherzer been since coming off the injured list? Since then, Scherzer has posted a minuscule 1.82 ERA and has gone at least six innings in each of his last nine starts. As for the Yankees' offense this month, they've scored the fifth fewest runs. Talk about painful. For a team like the Yankees, that's just unacceptable. But, hey, we're not going to complain. That's why we're taking the Mets over the Yankees on Monday night.

The Bet: Braves/Pirates over 5.5 runs AND Mets over Yankees (-103 odds via DraftKings)

Bet $103 to win $100

In the news ...

Reports: Tom Brady back in camp with Bucs — Tom Brady returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' training camp Monday and was expected to practice for the first time since leaving the team for personal reasons on Aug. 11, per multiple reports. Head coach Todd Bowles had said the future Hall of Famer would be back this week.  Currently, Tampa Bay is just a one-point favorite for its first regular-season game against Dallas and the Bucs are -250 to win the NFC South. 

Patrick Cantlay repeats as BMW Champion — Patrick Cantlay won the BMW Championship for the second straight time on Sunday and is now the No. 2 seed going into next week's FedEx Cup Finale. Cantlay entered the tourney as 14/1 favorite to win, only trailing Rory McIlroy (10/1) for the best odds. 

Sue Bird makes history with double-double — 41-year-old Sue Bird became the oldest player to record a double-double in WNBA playoff history after recording 18 points and 10 assists in Sunday's 97-84 win to sweep the Washington Mystics. Bird's Seattle Storm play top-favored Las Vegas next in a best-of-five semifinal series. 

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jared Shlensky