tyfrancecbs.jpg
USATSI

Justin Verlander faces the Blue Jays for the first time since throwing a no-hitter against them in 2019 when he and the Houston Astros host Toronto in the first game of a three-game series on Friday at Minute Maid Park. On Sept. 1, 2019, Verlander struck out 14 Blue Jays and walked only one in his third career no-hitter. He then missed almost all of the 2020 season and the entire '21 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. So far this year Verlander is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA. Houston is a -170 money line favorite in the latest Astros vs. Blue Jays odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Toronto is a +150 underdog. 

First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. The game is one of 15 on the MLB schedule on Friday. Elsewhere in the majors, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres open a three-game series at Petco Park, and the Guardians' Jose Ramirez looks to continue his sizzling start to the season against the Yankees in the Bronx. Before making any MLB picks or parlays, be sure to check out the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times and it is off to a sizzling start to the 2022 season. It's on a 14-4 roll on top-rated MLB money-line picks through two weeks, returning over $800 for $100 players. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has locked in four confident MLB best bets for Friday. They all involve games at 7:10 p.m. ET or later, so there's still time to get these MLB picks in. If you successfully parlay the picks, you'd be looking at a payout of almost 19-1. You can see the model's MLB picks for Friday only at SportsLine. 

Top MLB picks today

After simulating every game 10,000 times, the model is high on the Rockies (+140) to beat the Tigers. The Rockies (8-4) have been one of the more pleasant surprises in the majors so far this season. Meanwhile, the Tigers (5-7) have struggled at the plate, posting a .210 batting average, which ranks 23rd in the league.

Colorado's C.J. Cron has been one of the hottest hitters in the majors to start the season. The 32-year-old first baseman leads the majors in home runs (six) and ranks second in RBI (16) and fourth in OPS (1.178). Over his last three games, Cron has gone 5-for-11 with one home run and six RBI.

How to make MLB picks and parlays for Friday

The model also locked in three other best bets for Friday, including a play on an even bigger underdog than the Rockies. You can see the model's MLB Friday best bets and parlay only at SportsLine.

What MLB picks should you target for a payout of almost 19-1? And what underdog does the model like on Friday? Visit SportsLine now to see the MLB best bets from an advanced model that is on a 14-4 roll on top-rated MLB money line picks through two weeks.