3% Take Seattle (#963) (listed pitchers)

I have no hesitation betting against Minnesota today, the day after their 12 game winning streak was snapped in a home loss to the Red Sox; snapping their longest winning streak since 1991.  The Twins winning streak was largely schedule related, sweeping the hapless White Sox twice and the almost as hapless Angels for the first ten of those victories. This is no elite team – they’re just 5-10 in their last 15 games against teams currently at .500 or higher – teams like the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners just took two out of three at Houston on the heels of taking two out of three from the Braves; a team proving that they can step up in class well.  In fact, very quietly, waaaay underneath the radar, Seattle has won each of their last six series; 13-5 since their 6-10 start, a start that has left them as an undervalued commodity ever since. 

Mariners manager Scott Servais, talking about that 13-5 run in their last 18 games: "We're pitching awesome.  "I've talked about that for the last month or so. Our defense has really picked up. ... We're still not clicking offensively, but we're starting to make some strides."  Seattle starter Luis Castillo has allowed only two runs on nine hits in 20 innings of work over his last three starts; Minnesota starter Simeon Woods Richardson has allowed 17 baserunners in just 8.2 innings of work over his last two starts; fade material today.  Short chalk worth laying!  Take the Mariners.

Line Parameter: 3% at -125 or lower, 2.5% at -126 or higher