A trio of underdog picks to take you into the holiday weekend, plus other best bets for Friday

It's the Friday before a holiday weekend. Before you head out to wherever you're going this weekend, catch up on what's happening in the wide world of sports. Tonight, the team is betting underdogs because the United States was an underdog when it first declared its independence from England.

Cleveland Guardians are 11-5 in their last 16 games against right-handed starters. They took three of five in a series against Minnesota to cut the Twins' lead in the AL Central to one game. The Yankees are playing against the Guardians tonight at 7:10 p.m. on MLB.TV. Gerrit Cole will be on the mound for New York.

Cleveland is 11-5 in its last 16 games against a right-handed starter. Guardians is the pick for Friday.

Marlins are the favorite against the Washington Nationals. The Nats are 29-49 and ranked 25th in MLB in run rate, 29th on ERA and last in outs above average. Miami is much better than that. Washington's starter Josiah Gray has better overall numbers than Miami's Trevor Rogers.

The Marlins have won eight of the last nine meetings against the Yankees.

The Chicago White Sox are betting on themselves. The Giants are also betting their team on Lance Lynn. They are only 40-34 despite having the third-highest run rate in baseball. The White Sells are hoping Lynn can keep the Giants offense in check.

The White Sox are 14-4 in their last 18 games against National League teams.

Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Kyle Schwarber are the favourites to win the Dinger Party.