MLB Same Game Parlay of the Day: Carlos Rodon is key to Giants-Pirates play

New to sports betting and always wanted to combine multiple legs from one game into one parlay? Guess what, now you can. At least with some sportsbooks (i.e., FanDuel and DraftKings). Even better news -- I've got an MLB one for you today!

For my MLB Parlay of the Day for Friday, which you can read here, I included the Giants over the Pirates as one of my legs, and that's the game I'm going to focus on today for my SGP. I really, really like that matchup.

My Same Game Parlay: San Francisco Giants Moneyline; San Francisco Giants over 2.5 Runs; Carlos Rodon over 4.5 Strikeouts; and  Alternate Total Runs under 12.5.

Combine these four legs into a SGP and you get +105 odds (odds via DraftKings). Not bad considering the Giants are heavy favorites against Pittsburgh. 

San Francisco Giants (ML) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-190)

I used the Giants over the Pirates as one of my legs for Friday's MLB Parlay of the Day, and that's where I'm going to start with my Friday SGP of the Day. 

With Carlos Rodon on the bump tonight for San Francisco, and the Pirates struggling -- losers of nine of their last 10 -- this was easy for me. Rodon is coming off his best start of the season in his last outing -- six shutout innings against the Dodgers -- and I wouldn't be surprised to see him dominate Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh's offense is as bleak as my golf game -- and that's saying a lot. The Pirates enter Friday's series opener last in the National League in runs scored (212), on-base percentage (.290), slugging percentage (.315) and OPS (.644). With Rodon starting for San Francisco, I'm taking the Giants all the way, even -1.5 on the run line isn't a bad idea, but I'm going to stay conservative, and take them just to win. 

San Francisco Giants over 2.5 Runs (-360)

The Giants aren't exactly a team that's going to outslug their opponents to victory, but to score at least three runs? Oh yeah. I'm taking that. 

San Francisco has scored at least three runs in four of their last six games and the Pirates have allowed at least three runs in 10 straight games. Plus, Pirates starter Zach Thompson hasn't exactly dominated this season (3-4, 4.50 ERA) in 12 appearances. Don't second-guess yourself, Giants over 2.5 runs is the right call. 

Carlos Rodon over 4.5 strikeouts (-800)

This is the leg I'm most confident in, and by no coincidence, this leg has the worst odds out of the four at -800. Carlos Rodon is a strikeout pitcher who has multiple swing-and-miss pitches. He proved that when he was with the Chicago White Sox, and he's proved that now in his first season with San Francisco. 

The southpaw has recorded at least five strikeouts in each of his three starts this month and in nine of his 12 starts this year. And Pittsburgh strikes out at a good rate, fourth highest in the National League. Not to mention they've struck out at least five times in every game this month. This is a no-brainer.

Alternate Total Runs Under 12.5 (-575)

Last, but certainly not least, under 12.5 total runs between the two teams. I could see this one getting away from Pittsburgh late, but not enough to have a combined total of 13 or more. Don't get me wrong, San Francisco can score, eighth most in MLB, but they can also pitch, a team ERA under four. 

As for Pittsburgh, their combined run total has been under 12 in 11 of their last 12 games. Even better news is the combined run total has been under 12 in San Francisco's last 11 games. I mentioned Pittsburgh is really scuffling offensively, right. Yeah... I definitely did. Maybe I'm a little reluctant on this one, but not enough to not include it in my SGP.