MLB best bets: Try this Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds SGP on for size

It's been a while since we've done an SGP, so we're going to start the week with one. In case you're not aware, the Texas Rangers currently lead the NL West. Yes, the same Texas Rangers that won 68 games a year ago. No, not the reigning champion Astros. The Texas Rangers. We know it's early, but it's still pretty darned impressive. 

And the Rangers are currently on a roll right. Texas has won seven of its last nine games and even though we're not taking them on the moneyline, we wouldn't be surprised if they win. However, we are taking Texas (+1.5) on the runline. Cincinnati has lost six straight and seven of eight, so even if the Reds do win on Monday, we don't see it being by more than a run. This is the most confident leg of our SGP and our philosophy remains pretty simple: when one team is on a roll — Texas — and the other can't get out of their own way — Cincinnati — take the team that's on the roll.

As for the second leg of our parlay, we're taking Texas to score at least three runs. Don't be surprised if this happens by the third or fourth inning either, especially with Reds starter Nick Lodolo coming off his worst start of the season last week against Tampa Bay — 4.2 IP, 8 R, 12 H, 3 HB, 1 BB, 4 K. And considering the Rangers have scored at least three runs in seven straight games, we don't see this being much of an issue. Losing Corey Seager hasn't really affected the Texas bats all that much, at least not yet, and we don't see that changing on Monday. 

Lastly, take the Rangers (+0.5 runs) after the first inning. This is the riskiest leg of our SGP, but considering Nathan Eovaldi is coming off his best start so far — 6 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K — we're not all that concerned. Texas has been getting out to a lot of fast starts during their winning streak, and we don't see that stopping on Monday. 

Betting on the first inning is always risky because sometimes it takes a starter an inning or two to find their release point; however, Eovaldi has allowed just one run in the first inning in four starts so far, so the odds are in our favor. Look at this way, if this leg hits, it's pretty likely the entire SGP hits. 

The SGP: Texas Rangers (+1.5 runs), Texas Rangers (over 2.5 runs) and Texas Rangers (+0.5 runs after the first inning) (+100 odds via BetMGM)
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