The 16-game Friday MLB schedule features key matchups in both leagues, but the focus will be on another showdown between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. The MLB-best Braves (88-45) took the opener of the four-game set Thursday night, riding a six-run second inning to an 8-7 victory. The NL West-leading Dodgers (83-50) got two home runs and four RBI from Mookie Betts, but fellow NL MVP candidate Ronald Acuna also had a homer and drove in four. Acuna became the first player in MLB history to reach 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases. In the AL, the Rangers sit one game behind the Mariners and Astros in the West as Texas hosts the Central-leading Twins at 8:05 p.m. ET.
First pitch for Braves vs. Dodgers is at 10:10 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium. The Braves are -132 favorites (risk $132 to win $100) in the latest MLB odds, with LA priced at +111 and the over/under for total runs at 8.5. In Twins vs. Rangers, Texas is the -155 favorite, with the Twins at +131 and the over/under at 8. All but one of the 16 games on the Friday MLB schedule start after 6:40 p.m. ET, so there is plenty of time to lock in your MLB picks. If you combine your favorites into a parlay, you can earn a big payday. Before you lock in your MLB picks or parlays, be sure to check out the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer 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 entered Week 23 of the 2023 MLB season 71-55 on all top-rated MLB picks this season and has excelled on top-rated run-line picks, going 14-4 (+640). Anyone following it has seen big returns.
For Friday, the model has locked in four confident MLB best bets for games that begin at 8:10 p.m. ET or later. If you successfully parlay the picks, you'd be looking at a payout of almost 10-1. You can see the model's MLB picks only at SportsLine.
Top MLB picks today
As part of its Friday parlay, the model loves the Dodgers +1.5 (-153) against the Braves. Atlanta has won eight of its past nine games, but the Dodgers have won seven over the same span, with only Thursday's loss separating them. The teams are about as even as it gets, with the Braves leading the league in scoring (5.85 runs per game) and the Dodgers second (5.67). Atlanta also has the edge in home runs per game (1.9), with Los Angeles right behind (1.6).
There isn't much separation in the pitching either, with the Braves third in ERA (3.81) and the Dodgers 16th (4.16), but LA is fifth in WHIP (1.23) and Atlanta is 11th (1.26). The Braves appear to have a slight edge on the mound Friday night, with Max Fried (5-1, 2.85 ERA) facing LA's Julio Urias (11-7, 4.41). However, the Dodgers left-hander is 8-1 with a 2.30 ERA at Dodger Stadium. This should be another tight one, and the model has LA covering the run line in almost 70% of simulations. See the model's top MLB picks here.
How to make Friday MLB parlays
The model also locked in three other best bets for Friday. You can see the model's MLB Friday best bets and parlay only at SportsLine.
What MLB picks should you target for a payout of almost 10-1? Visit SportsLine now to see the MLB best bets for Friday from the model that's on a 14-4 run on top-rated MLB run-line picks, and find out.
