SportsLine expert backs Rockies, Tigers and Nationals on Friday MLB card

The MLB schedule comes roaring back from the All-Star break Friday, and SportsLine expert Adam Thompson has circled three money-line plays: the Rockies, Tigers and Nationals.

According to CBS Sports, Friday’s slate features 15 games, with a Rays-Red Sox doubleheader, Dodgers-Yankees at 7:05 p.m. ET and Braves-Guardians in a matchup of first-place clubs. The Dodgers-Yankees opener was listed close to even in consensus odds, with Los Angeles at -110, New York at -109 and the total at 9 runs.

Thompson, described by SportsLine as an analytics-based handicapper across MLB, NFL and NBA, is backing three teams at BetRivers prices: Colorado -112, Detroit -108 and Washington +100. CBS Sports said Thompson is up more than 70 units in MLB across the past two seasons and more than 60 units in NBA betting over that span.

Rockies over Reds

Thompson’s first pick is Colorado on the money line at -112 against Cincinnati. His case starts with the Reds’ recent slide, as he noted they are 4-10 across the past two-plus weeks.

Cincinnati is scheduled to start Brady Singer at Coors Field. Thompson pointed to a split in Singer’s numbers: a sub-3 ERA since the beginning of June, but an 0-5 record with a 6.75 ERA in nine road starts. He also wrote that Singer has struggled against lineups heavy on left-handed bats, while Colorado is expected to use six left-handed hitters, including three of its first four batters.

The Rockies have not always converted their contact into runs, Thompson wrote, but their underlying hitting numbers are flashing. He cited Colorado’s .998 home OPS in July and .845 OPS against right-handed pitching this month, saying those figures sit well above Cincinnati’s comparable marks.

Thompson also pointed to rookie Gabriel Hughes, who delivered six strong innings against the Dodgers in his first start after a scoreless three-inning relief appearance against the Giants. Colorado’s bullpen entered the pick with a 2.13 ERA in July, according to Thompson.

Tigers over Angels

Detroit is Thompson’s second play, listed at -108 against the Angels. He acknowledged the Tigers ended the first half poorly against Philadelphia, but noted they had won nine of 10 games before that skid while averaging 6.1 runs per game.

The matchup angle is left-handed pitching. Thompson wrote that Detroit owns an .858 OPS against lefties, which puts pressure on Angels starter Reid Detmers. Detmers has given up five runs in three of his last four starts and has not won at home, according to Thompson.

For Detroit, Thompson is siding with Troy Melton, who is 5-1 with a 1.82 ERA in eight starts. He also cited a Tigers bullpen carrying a 2.97 ERA in July.

The Angels, meanwhile, have lost 10 of 12, Thompson wrote. He added that they scored three runs or fewer in eight of those games.

Nationals over Athletics

Thompson’s plus-money pick is Washington at +100 against the Athletics. His breakdown frames the Nationals as a wild ride: one of three teams to score 500 runs before the break, along with the Dodgers and Pirates, while also one of two teams to allow more than 500, alongside the A’s.

The Athletics’ offense is the weak link in his argument. Thompson wrote that Oakland has lost 13 of 14, has gone five straight games without a multi-run inning and has scored more than two runs just once in its past eight.

With both bullpens described by Thompson as shaky, he leaned into starter length. Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli has worked at least six innings in three of his last four outings and allowed three runs or fewer in six straight, according to Thompson. Oakland left-hander Gage Jump has failed to complete six innings in each of his past four starts.

Thompson also cited Washington’s July hitting splits, with its home OPS and OPS against left-handed pitching both above 1.000.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.