MLB Picks: Two-Game Parlay

Well, the final day of the MLB regular season is here, and what better way to end it than with a two-team parlay? In a bid to maximize profits on what has already been a successful year, we'll bundle a couple of AL West games with postseason implications.

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland A's

Who would have thunk it - that on the final day of the season the Texas Rangers would be battling the Oakland A's for the division crown? Well, that is exactly what what's happening. Both teams have opened at -105 with Oakland sending A.J. Griffin (7-1 2.71 ERA) out to the mound while Texas counters with Ryan Dempster (7-3 4.63 ERA)

MLB odds makers currently favor the A's to the tune of -114. The total is 7.5. 

Griffin can't handle this type of pressure 

This is without a doubt the biggest game of Griffin's career. I'd expect he is going to have trouble settling down and getting out of the first inning. Talk about pressure - it doesn't get any greater.

Griffin has posted very nice numbers, but he struggles when facing lineups like the Rangers'. Against the Yankees a couple of starts ago, he gave up 7 hits, 4 earned runs on 100 pitches in just 4 innings. Then, against Detroit, he again lasted just 4.1 innings, this time getting even more tuned up for 8 hits and 5 earned runs. Now, he is tasked with delivering against arguably the best lineup in all of MLB.

Dempster 

Ryan Dempster hasn't posted the greatest numbers since being acquired from Chicago, but this guy is a veteran and a warrior. He is going to give you everything he's got until the tank is empty. Dempster will not be rattled by this pressure. 

Look for the Rangers offense to feast on Griffin while Dempster battles and keeps his team in the ballgame to the end. Texas wins the division crown today. 

Pick: We'll add them to MLB parlay at -105.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners 

There is no team more dejected in the major league baseball right now than the Angels. I can't imagine them taking the field today with any enthusiasm at all. I expect them to come out completely flat, their minds not in the game at all. 

Jered Weaver will make his final start looking to boost his Cy Young numbers. As usual, Jered has been lights out over his last three with a 3-0 record, giving up just 16 hits in 20 innings pitched for a 0.98 WHIP and 2.66 ERA. Weaver is 12-4 lifetime against Seattle with a 3.12 ERA 

Blake Bleaven 

Bleaven has come on strong at the end the season after a poor regular season. In his last three starts, he has posted an ERA of 2.41 and a very solid 1.29 WHIP. Though we like his numbers, we think the real value lies more with a dejected Angels lineup that won't have its collective heart in the game. Bleaven should be able to keep them in check and go deep into the game. 

Pick: We'll include the UNDER in our MLB Parlay.