Teams are battling through injuries late in the year and continue to make a playoff push. Our team of writers and handicappers gathered three of their top picks for Friday’s MLB action.
Texas Rangers (66-69) at Los Angeles Angels (81-52)
The Los Angeles Angels are clearly in command of the AL West, and now the rally monkey is showing up.
The Angels look to make things a bit easier on themselves Friday night when they continue their four-game series against the Texas Rangers.
The Angels (81-52) lead the West by 16 games on the Rangers (66-69) after taking the first game of this series 7-5 on Thursday behind a five-run eighth inning. The victory also reduced Los Angeles' magic number to 13 as it seeks its fourth division title in five years.
Texas turns to Dustin Nippert (1-3, 7.83) after Vicente Padilla was scratched from his scheduled start due to a strained neck muscle.
Nippert was hit hard in his only start of the season on Aug. 17, getting tagged for seven runs and eight hits, including two homers, in four innings of a 7-4 loss to Tampa Bay. That came after the right-hander went 0-0 with a 4.35 ERA in eight relief outings following his recall from Triple-A Oklahoma on July 5. It's also the last time he's been used by the Rangers.
Pick: LA Angels - Best line -245 SBG Global
Minnesota Twins (75-59) at Oakland Athletics (62-72)
If the Minnesota Twins expect to make their longest road trip of the season a successful one, they're going to have to find a way to end their struggles in Oakland.
The Twins will try to avoid a fourth consecutive loss at McAfee Coliseum on Friday as they continue their four-game series against the Athletics.
Minnesota (75-59) is 46-23 at home this season but hasn't been nearly as dominant on the road, where it is 29-36 and has lost 13 of its last 21 games.
On Friday, the A's hand the ball to Dan Meyer (0-2, 5.95), who will make his third start of the season and his first career appearance versus the Twins.
The left-hander, who is 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA in six career games at McAfee Coliseum, gave up four runs and three hits in five innings of an 8-4 loss at Seattle on Sunday.
Pick: Minnesota - Best line -165 SBG Global
Baltimore Orioles (63-70) at Tampa Bay Rays (81-51)
It's already been a season of impressive accomplishments for the Tampa Bay Rays, and they appear to be adding to that success with each victory.
After reaching yet another milestone, the Rays try to continue their recent dominance of the Baltimore Orioles on Friday when the teams open a three-game series at Tropicana Field.
AL East-leading Tampa Bay (81-51) has reached several notable marks this season, including winning its club-record 42nd home game on Aug. 1, surpassing the total from 2006. Nine days later, the team secured its 71st overall victory to exceed the previous best from 2004.
Looking to match that mark, Tampa Bay hands the ball to Scott Kazmir (9-6, 3.27 ERA), who is 4-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 12 lifetime starts versus the Orioles, though he hasn't faced them in 2008.
The left-hander didn't receive a decision his last time out, but limited the Chicago White Sox to three runs and four hits, while striking out seven in six innings of a 5-3 road victory Saturday.
The Rays have won nine of Kazmir's 10 home starts - he is 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA in those outings, holding visitors to a .194 average.
Pick: Tampa Bay - Best line -165 SBG Global
Hi Bettors
Friday's night is good time to go out and visit MLB maches...
You've got a huge selection of systems across various sports, and depending on your mood, or the time of the year maybe, you can choose to use the system you want to at the time....
So let's to make MLB selection....
Milwaukee Brewers -1½ -115
San Francisco Giants +1½ -135
Florida Marlins +1½ -145
P.s. So, while you've still got the chance, why not...try to use system which lead you to success...