The MLB season is in full swing after a thrilling opening week. With average Joes and professionals alike lining up to back stars like Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Charlie Blackmon and Francisco Lindor, Friday's nine-game slate is drawing plenty of action.

But before you make any picks on any of Friday's intriguing matchups, you need to see what Michael Rusk is picking.

Finishing his first novel, Why Vegas Never Closes, Rusk has built his name by exploiting flaws in public betting.

With his economics and statistics background, Rusk uses multiple algorithms along with recency bias to produce profitable MLB picks. And that's exactly what "The Prodigy" did last year, returning over $3,000 for anybody who followed his MLB selections with $100 bets.

Now Rusk, who's also nailed four of his last seven MLB money line picks entering Friday's slate, has analyzed every MLB matchup, keying in on two games where he says the money lines are way off. He's sharing those picks over at SportsLine.

We can tell you Rusk likes the over (9 runs) in Orioles-Yankees at 7:05 p.m. ET, thanks in part to a pitching matchup that screams runs.

The starting pitchers in this matchup -- Kevin Gausman for the Orioles and CC Sabathia for the Yankees -- both have struggled mightily against each other's teams throughout their careers. Gausman has allowed 14 runs vs. the Bronx Bombers in his last three starts, while Sabathia's has given up 14 as well. Plus the total has gone over in 10 of Baltimore's last 11 games when playing on the road against the Yankees.

But Rusk's much stronger plays are a pair of money line picks, one on a game in the afternoon and one in the evening. He's calling for a team that has struggled mightily out of the gates to pick up a big win. You can find out who that is, and see all his picks, only at SportsLine.

So what are the best bets for Friday's packed MLB slate and which surprising team should you back? Visit SportsLine now to find out Michal Rusk's best bets for Friday, all from an expert who profited over $3,000 on his MLB picks in 2017. 

Braves at Rockies (-150)
Royals at Indians (-220)
Reds at Pirates (-105)
Orioles at Yankees (-166)
Blue Jays at Rangers (+110)
Cubs at Brewers (+130)
Padres at Astros (-280)
Athletics at Angels (-128)
Dodgers at Giants (+135)