Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Unit MLB Free Pick - Houston at San Francisco

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (6-2, 2.97) and Giants righty Kevin Gausman (9-4, 2.21) are the scheduled starters for teams that currently reside on opposite ends of the interleague spectrum. The Astros enjoyed a day off Thursday after taking the final two games on a three-day trip to Seattle. They haven't played an interleague game since May 30, when they won for just the second time in seven tries against NL competition this season by defeating San Diego. The Giants, meanwhile, have posted a 9-5 record in interleague play, which includes a 2-1 record against the rival Oakland Athletics. The Astros are battling the Athletics for the top spot in the AL West. The Astros hosted the Giants for three games last August, with Houston taking two of three. Valdez and Gausman did not pitch in that series. Valdez is coming off six innings of no-hit ball in a win over the Texas Rangers last Saturday. He was pulled after having throwing 99 pitches, with six walks escalating that count. He has never gone head-to-head with the Giants in his career. He has a 1-2 record and 6.00 ERA in five interleague starts.

Rating: 2 Units

 The Mariners are just 2.5 games behind the final wild card spot and face what is now the worst lineup in the AL and one of the worst starters in Kolby Allard. (Texas has lost seven straight Allard starts.) Meanwhile, Logan Gilbert is the hottest starter in baseball with the M’s winning his last 10 starts, including all five of his road starts. The Rangers are batting only .159 and averaging just 1.8 runs since the All-Star break. Mariners to win.

Rating: 2 Units

The Yankees will lose the designated hitter, which is usually Giancarlo Stanton, but presumably Friday will be the debut of trade acquisitions Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo. Good look navigating that lineup. Jameson Taillon's road ERA is 6.08, but he has turned things around away from home in allowing just four earned runs over 20 innings in his past three on the road -- and against lineups much better than Miami's. Overall, Taillon has allowed two earned or fewer in six of his last seven outings. Plus, if you have ever been to South Florida, this will be a Yankees home crowd if that type of thing matters to you.

Rating: 2 Units

It's Matt Harvey Day! Wait, is Harvey actually good again? Rather improbably, the Orioles right-hander has pitched six shutout innings in back-to-back starts to "lower" his ERA to 6.65. Sorry, I'm not buying that the Dark Knight is back. The Tigers have won 10 straight at home and go with lefty Tarik Skubal, who has been better at home this year. He has allowed two earned or fewer in three of his past four at Comerica Park, and the O's have never seen him. They are 6-15 in their last 21 games vs. a left-handed starter.

Rating: 2 Units

The Twins will scratch ace Jose Berrios as he was traded to Toronto so I will jump the Cards at -150 on the runline while they are still moneyline underdogs. They won't be for long. I'd take St. Louis as a ML dog right now if I knew Nolan Arenado was playing, but he's in question with a bruised right forearm. Plus, not known yet whom Minnesota will start but I feel more than comfortable at the Cards +1.5 with it not being Berrios. Wade LeBlanc has been serviceable on the mound for the Redbirds.

Rating: 2 Units

Just like I thought Thursday's line was way too short on the A's, I think this is too. Remember, the Halos are without three of their best hitters on the injured list with Jared Walsh joining this week. Shohei Ohtani walked three times in Thursday's loss, and I don't know why the A's would bother pitching to him (or any team would right now). It's All-Star Chris Bassitt (10-3, 3.46) on the mound for Oakland. He's 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in two starts this year against the Angels, who have lost four in a row vs. teams with winning records.

Rating: 2 Units

Angels starter Jaime Barria will be pitching for the team for just the fourth time this season. He has an expected slugging percentage of .496 in his limited work at the Major League level, which isn’t good, and he is likely to struggle against a solid A’s lineup. I see Cole Irvin as a pitcher who should be able to keep Oakland in the game; he has only allowed more than four earned runs once all year in 20 starts. I’ll back the A’s to win their eighth straight against the Angels.