9* MARINERS (ASSASSIN)

Here's an interesting matchup, as I give a big nod to the Mariners on the mound, but I give the Twins the advantage at the plate. It's a classic matchup, but in this case, I believe the talent discrepancy on the mound will prove to be the difference-maker for the visiting Seattle Mariners. Seattle finished second in the AL West with a 90-72 record last year. The Twins were in last place in the AL Central with a 73-89 record. Joe Ryan gets the nod for Minnesota, and he went 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA in five starts and 30 K's for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics. It's the first rookie starter to start on Opening Day for the Twins since 1969. Ray went 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA in 32 starts in 2021 and he's the reigning Cy Young Award winner. Great value on the superior pitchers; the play is Seattle!

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