The Seattle Mariners took two of three from the Red Sox earlier this season at Safeco Field and did so without sending their ace to the mound. As the venue switches to Fenway Park for a three game weekend series, the Mariners will send their ace to the mound this time around when they face the host Red Sox. Felix Hernandez will look to continue his strong pitching and returns to the scene of one of his best career starts. The right hander pitched a one-hitter at Fenway three years ago and the way he has been pitching of late, he could duplicate that performance Friday night. Hernandez has been outright dominant of late. He has allowed just five earned runs in his last 53 innings pitched, striking out 51 during that span. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in two starts at Fenway. Tim Wakefield has been the Red Sox most consistent pitcher this season. He is coming off one of his best outings, a 1-0 victory over the Braves. But I have to wonder how long the veteran knuckleballer can continue to pitch at such a high level. This will be Wakefield’s first start of the season against Seattle. In his career, Wakefield is 4-9 with a 4.06 ERA against the Mariners. The Mariners will have plenty momentum after last night’s win over the Yankees. Look for a solid performance from the visitor. Play on the Seattle Mariners for 1 unit. Good luck to all.

After a strong start to their season, the Kansas City Royals have fallen back to earth. The Royals have lost six of their last eight including last night’s opener with the White Sox, 4-1. The Royals struggled with southpaw Mark Buerhle last night and we can expect them to struggle once again tonight when they face lefty John Danks. The Royals are 11-17 this season against left-handed pitching and facing Danks won’t provide much relief. Danks has been strong of late and in the past against the Royals. He is 1-0 with a 3.25 ERA in six career starts against Kansas City. Danks sparkled in his most recent outing against the Cubs, going seven innings allowing no runs on four hits while striking out five. The Royals will send their ace Zack Greinke to the mound as they try to slow down the surging White Sox. Greinke has been solid all season but the White Sox are starting to hit and have several players in their lineup that have had success against him. Jermaine Dye (.385, 1.107 OPS), A.J. Pierzynski (.412, .988 OPS), Scott Podsednik (.481, 1.237 OPS) and Jim Thome (.269, 2 hr’s, .867 OPS) have hit the right-hander well and just might be facing him at the right time. The White Sox have won eight of their last nine, scoring 61 runs during that span. The White Sox beat Greinke their last time facing him 7-4. John Danks was on the hill that day for Chicago as they completed a three-game sweep of the Royals in Kauffman Stadium. Greinke does not have spectacular numbers in his career against the White Sox and his last time out was a reflection of that. When Danks is on, he might be the best pitcher on this staff. The Royals have scored just three runs in their last three ballgames, all losses. This is a solid price on the road underdog White Sox and I’ll gladly take it for 2 units. Play on the Chicago White Sox for 2 units. Good luck to all.