Expert Angels vs Blue Jays Same-Game Parlay Picks Friday Night

While there won’t be Independence Day fireworks in Canada tonight, the Toronto Blue Jays brought the fireworks earlier this week with a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees. Now, the first-place squad carries their sparkling week into a series opener at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

These are our favorite bets for the Blue Jays versus Angels on July 4!

Where to Watch Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays

• Ballpark: Rogers Centre
• Location: Toronto, ON
• Where to Watch: AppleTV+
• Time: 7:07 p.m. EDT
• Spread: TOR -1.5 | Total: 9.5
• Moneyline: LAA +138 | TOR -164
  
• Matchup Page

Leg 1: Third Inning Result, TOR +240

The Blue Jays got off to quick starts throughout their most recent series against the New York Yankees, and it’s likely that carries over into tonight versus the Angels, who will start slow-throwing righty Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.66 ERA).

Over its last four games, Toronto outscored New York 11-2 across the first three innings and led after three in the last two games. That included a seven-run first inning on Wednesday. Throughout the season, the team’s slugging percentage has been .427 in the first three innings of games, better than the other two-thirds of games. Not to mention, Toronto’s OPS at home is .807 compared to just .660 on the road.

As for Hendricks, he’s having a relatively resurgent season in Anaheim but is carrying a 4.31 ERA through the first three innings of games this year. Adding to that, he has an ERA of 5.44 while allowing an OPS of .805. He hasn’t pitched much at Rogers Centre in his career, but in his only appearance there, he allowed four earned runs on six hits in 5.2 innings. 

Offense will be key early on for the Jays in tonight’s series opener in Toronto. Odds for the third inning begin the same as the fourth or fifth inning results.

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

Leg 2: Alejandro Kirk OVER 0.5 RBI +135

It’s always great when a premier defensive catcher can be one of a team’s biggest offensive contributors, and that’s exactly what Alejandro Kirk has been for Toronto this year. He’s our pick for an anytime RBI.

The Mexican catcher had hits in 16 of 23 games he appeared in for the Jays in July, raising his average to above .300, now standing at .305. He’s been a driving force in the lineup, hitting .325 with a .837 OPS with runners in scoring position. He’s 0-for-2 in his career against Hendricks, but shouldn’t have issues seeing the ball well at home against a pitcher whose fastball velocity averages 86.3 miles per hour. That will help Kirk, whose bat speed is just above average across MLB, but is one of the best in the league when it comes to hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity.

Kirk’s All-Star quality stats will likely be boosted by facing Kyle Hendricks. We’re backing the Blue Jays’ catcher to drive in a run in the series opener.

Leg 3: Kyle Hendricks Alt. Strikeouts 4+ +210

While Kyle Hendricks’ OPS isn’t impressive, he’s outpacing his recent seasons when it comes to strikeouts, coming into tonight with 60 through 87 innings pitched.

This year, he’s averaging 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings, while more recently, he’s had more than four Ks in two of his last three starts, which include a nine-strikeout effort in the Bronx. His chase percentage (31.1 percent) ranks within the 80th percentile in MLB, according to Statcast. Hendricks’ K% (16.2) is one of the lowest in baseball, but the Blue Jays as a team outpace that with a SO% of 17.6. Plus, typically, when a team has been hot lately, they tend to swing more with that extra confidence, especially at home and with a lack of velocity coming at them.

We’re including Hendricks as our third and final pick in tonight’s same game parlay. At +210, we’re betting he sits down at least four Blue Jays hitters by way of the strikeout. 

Angels @ Blue Jays: Independence Day SGP Picks

• Blue Jays third inning result +240
• Alejandro Kirk OVER 0.5 RBI +135
• Kyle Hendricks alt. strikeouts 4+ +210 

This triplet could net bettors a hefty +2244 return. We’re parlaying the Jays up after three with Alejandro Kirk to drive one in and Kyle Hendricks to strike out four or more.