The Tampa Bay Rays can cut even more into the New York Yankees' lead in the AL East when the two teams collide in the first game of a key three-game series on Friday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. On July 8, Tampa Bay (77-58) trailed New York by 15½ games in the division, but this weekend the Rays can pull even with the struggling Yankees (83-55) in the loss column with a three-game sweep. Both teams are listed at -110 in the latest MLB odds from Caesars Sportsbook, and the over/under for runs scored is 7.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. The game is one of 15 on the MLB schedule for Friday. Elsewhere in the majors, two teams on track to make the playoffs -- the Braves and Mariners -- open a series in Seattle, and the Dodgers and Padres renew their rivalry in San Diego. Before making any MLB picks or parlays, be sure to see the predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, and it is a 311-271 on top-rated MLB money-line picks since the start of the 2021 season. This is the same model that pegged the 2021 Atlanta Braves at 10-1 as one of three best bets to win the World Series. Anybody who has followed the model has seen profitable returns.
Now, the model has locked in four confident MLB best bets for Friday. They all involve games at 7:05 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 more than 8-1. You can only see the model's MLB picks at SportsLine.
Top MLB picks today
The model, which ran 10,000 simulations on each of Friday's games, likes likes Boston (+100) to beat Baltimore. The Orioles (72-65) enter the series reeling, having lost four of five games to fall 4½ games behind the Blue Jays for the third and final wild card berth. The Red Sox (67-71) are on a three-game losing streak, but two of those losses were one-run decisions to the streaking Rays.
In addition, Xander Bogaerts remains a major force in the lineup. The 29-year-old shortstop ranks fourth in the majors in batting average (.315) and also leads the team in on-base percentage (.382). In the month of September he has been red-hot, hitting .458 with a 1.083 OPS. See who else to back right here.
How to make MLB picks and parlays for Friday
The model also locked in two other best bets for Friday, including a play on an even bigger AL underdog. 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 more than 8-1? 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 311-271 run on top-rated MLB money-line picks since the start of 2021.
