Carmine Bianco
Seattle Sounders at Minnesota United
Play: Seattle Sounders +102
The Seattle Sounders are putting together a similar run as they did last season when they used a strong second half to put themselves into the playoffs and eventually went on to win the MLS Cup and have now won 3 of 4 along with a draw and head to Minnesota to face a United team that are coming off their biggest win of the season (and there haven't been many) in beating D.C. United last week 4-0. We did cash a 5% on that match and we'll play against Minnesota here as finding holes in the Sounders defence like they did with D.C. is unlikely to happen and up front the Sounders combo of Dempsey, Morris, Lodiero and Bruin along with new addition Victor Rodriguez should press the United defense that has leaked goals (allowed 2 goals in 6 of last 10 and 3+ 4 times) of late.
Wunderdog
Detroit vs. Baltimore
Pick: Baltimore -145
Many had left the Baltimore Orioles for dead after this team went through a 20 game stretch of allowing opponents to score five runs or more. That streak left this team allowing 5.49 runs a game on June 23rd. They have since dropped nearly a full run off that and have since allowed 4.69 runs a game. That has changed a lot for this team that went from losing by a run per game, to winning by 0.23 runs a contest. They are certainly in the Wild Card hunt at just three games under .500. The Tigers are trying to get younger and have moved some key pieces. Thy dip down into their farm system and go with Drew VerHagen today, making his first career start. VerHagen made 19 starts at AAA Toledo while posting a pedestrian 4.90 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. He has appeared for four innings of work out of the bullpen and allowed three HRs.
Zack Cimini
Texas at Minnesota
Play: Texas -132
Command of Friday’s matchup against the Twins faltered early for the Rangers. Starter Martin Perez didn’t have command yet withstood to stay in the game. That’s an important factor for Saturday as the Rangers bullpen avoided lengthy use. Grab the steady veteran in Cole Hamels to deliver on the road Saturday.