The most dominant pitcher over the last two seasons takes the mound in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the ALDS in the 2025 MLB postseason, which should bring the Tigers and their fans confidence. Tarik Skubal, the overwhelming favorite to win his second straight AL Cy Young, starts for Detroit against the Mariners, however, the Tigers are 0-3 in his three starts against Seattle this season, including dropping Game 2 of this series. The SportsLine model projects that trend to continue on Friday despite the Mariners being +100 underdogs, using the Mariners' money line as one of its Friday best bets at DraftKings.

With the latest DraftKings promo code, new users can get $200 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. The model is also featuring a pair of college football games in its Friday best bets at DraftKings, backing Colorado State to cover as 6.5-point underdogs against Fresno State in a 9 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS Sports Network, and Rutgers. vs. Washington to finish Under 61.5 total points scored in its Friday parlay at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the latest DraftKings promo code, where new users get $200 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins: 

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It enters the second week of the 2025 MLB playoffs a profitable 35-29 on top-rated MLB money-line picks this season. It is also a profitable 38-25 combined on money-line and over/under college football picks since the beginning of 2024. Anybody following its MLB betting picks or college football betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.

Friday best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Mariners (+100) vs. Tigers
  • Colorado State (+6.5) vs. Fresno State (-110)
  • Rutgers vs. Washington Under 61.5 total points (-112)

Combining the model's three picks into a Friday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +661 (risk $100 to win $661). Bet it at DraftKings here:

Mariners (+100) to defeat the Tigers

Seattle scored four runs over five innings against Tarik Skubal in July and the Mariners scored three runs over 5 2/3 innings off him in April, resulting in a 5.91 ERA over two regular-season starts. Skubal had a 2.00 ERA against the rest of baseball, so although Skubal's greatness is undeniable, he hasn't been nearly as elite against the Mariners. Julio Rodriguez hit one of his 32 home runs off Skubal this season, and Jorge Polanco, who had 26 home runs this season, hit two homers off Skubal in Game 2. Cal Raleigh led baseball with 60 home runs this season, so Seattle has the offensive ability to take down Skubal on Friday, and the model projects the Mariners to win in 60% of simulations.

Colorado State (+6.5) vs. Fresno State (-110)

Fresno State is 5-1 this season, but the Bulldogs' last two wins have come by a combined five points. The Bulldogs failed to cover the spread in either of those victories, and they are 1-2 against the spread on the road this season. Fresno State defeated Colorado State, 28-22, at home last season, failing to cover this number when the Bulldogs were on their home field, but they'll travel to Colorado State for this matchup. The model projects Colorado State to cover the spread in 55% of simulations for a 9 p.m. ET start on CBS Sports Network.

Rutgers vs. Washington Under 61.5 total points (-112)

Each of these teams had huge offensive outbursts over their first three games, but none of those were in Big Ten play, and their totals have slowed down since the conference season began. After five of their first six combined games went Over this total, three of their last four combined games have gone Under it, with Washington going Under this number in each Big Ten contest. Washington went Under its over/under given by the sportsbooks in each Big Ten contest as well. Rutgers defeated Washington, 21-18, last year in a lower-scoring game, and the model projects the Under to hit in 63% of simulations.

Want more college football and MLB picks for Friday?

You've seen the model's Friday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for the 2025 MLB playoffs, along with the NHL season, every Week 6 NFL game and every Week 7 college football game, all from the model that's simulated every game 10,000 times.