Friday MLB Free play. My selection is on Minnesota over Cleveland at 8:10 pm et on Friday.

The Twins rallied to take last night's series-opener by a 7-6 score and I look for them to deliver another win on Friday. Aaron Civale will return to the Guardians rotation after an extended stint on the injured list. He pitched well in two starts back in early April but didn't look particularly strong in three rehab starts at the Triple-A level, recording a 4.91 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Note that Cleveland has won just three of Civale's previous eight starts against the Twins. Bailey Ober will counter for Minnesota. He's come up empty in his last two trips to the hill. Still, he has recorded a 3.24 FIP and 1.02 WHIP on the season. In his last two outings against the Guardians, including one back on May 5th, he has logged 12 innings without allowing a single earned run. Both bullpens have been terrific this season so no real advantage in that department but we'll support the Twins at a reasonable price here. Take Minnesota.

Interleague Game of the Week. My selection is on Los Angeles over New York at 10:10 pm et on Friday.

The Dodgers dropped their most recent contest in Washington but I look for them to rebound in Friday's series-opener against the Yankees. New York will give the start to Luis Severino. He checks in sporting a sparkling 1.59 ERA in two starts, spanning 11 1/3 innings. He hasn't been quite as sharp as that number indicates, however, as he has recorded a 3.73 FIP. In two minor league rehab outings, Severino logged a 4.05 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 6 2/3 innings. Clayton Kershaw will counter for Los Angeles. He'll be looking to bounce back after a string of rough outings but still owns a 3.42 FIP and 1.14 WHIP in 11 outings spanning 62 1/3 innings this season. He'll be making his second straight on a full five days' rest. The Yankees bullpen appears to have the edge although it is worth noting that the Dodgers bullpen has been significantly stronger at home than on the road, logging a collective 3.14 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Take Los Angeles (10*).

My selection is on Seattle over Texas at 8:05 pm et on Friday.

Both of these teams enjoyed a day off yesterday but will be back at it for the start of this three-game divisional series on Friday. The Mariners will hand the ball to Luis Castillo. He checks in sporting a 2.93 FIP and 0.99 WHIP this season. Over his last two outings he's tossed 12 shutout innings, striking out 18 and walking only four along the way. Jon Gray will counter for Texas. He checks in sporting a 2.81 ERA but I don't think he's been quite as good as that ERA indicates, recording a 4.64 FIP in 10 starts, spanning 57 2/3 innings of work this season. There's no question Gray has been terrific over his last seven outings but I do think he's running out of real estate in his current five-start undefeated streak. Prior to that he owned a 1-11 team record over his last 12 outings. The two bullpens are virtually a wash, although it is worth noting that Texas has had a bit of a tough time closing out games this season, converting 10 saves but also blowing eight. Take Seattle (8*).