The rival Houston Astros and Texas Rangers begin their most important series against each other since the 2015 season when the teams square off on Friday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers (49-32) lead the American League West by five games over the reigning World Series champion Astros (44-37). Friday's game is the first of four between the Lone Star Series rivals. Texas is a -170 favorite in the latest MLB odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Houston is a +143 underdog. The over/under for runs scored is 8.5.
The game is one of 15 on the MLB schedule for Friday. Elsewhere in the majors, The top two teams in the NL East -- Braves and Marlins -- start a three-game series in Atlanta, and Rays lefty Shane McClanahan (11-1) looks to become the first 12-game winner in the majors when he takes the mound against the Mariners. Before making any MLB picks or parlays, be sure to check out the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It went 331-285 on top-rated MLB money-line picks (+357) over the past two seasons. It has opened the 2023 MLB season on a 36-28 roll on all-top rated MLB picks, including a 9-2 mark on top-rated run-line picks (+450). And on Friday, the same model hit a parlay that returned 11-1. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns.
For Friday, the model has locked in three confident MLB best bets for games that begin at 7:05 p.m. ET or later. If you successfully parlay the picks, you'd be looking at a payout of well over 6-1. 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 the 15 games on Friday, is taking Baltimore (-115) to knock off Minnesota. The Orioles have been excellent at home this season, going 25-16, the second best record in the American League. Meanwhile, the Twins have struggled on the road, going 17-23. Just three AL teams have lost more road games this season.
In addition, Baltimore outfielder Austin Hays is having an All-Star season. The 27-year-old ranks third in the AL in batting average (.314) and seventh in OPS (.853). On Friday Hays faces Twins righty Pablo Lopez (3-5, 4.41 ERA), and Hays is a perfect 2-for-2 in his career against the Minnesota starter. See who else to back here.
How to make Friday MLB parlays
The model also locked in two other best bets for Friday, including a play on an NL underdog. You can only see the model's MLB Friday best bets and parlay at SportsLine.
What MLB picks should you target for a payout of well over 6-1, and what NL underdog does the model like on Friday? Visit SportsLine now to see the MLB best bets from an advanced model that is on a 36-28 run on top-rated MLB picks, and find out.
