Twins vs. Mariners prediction and odds for Monday, July 17 (Trust Sonny Gray on road)

The Minnesota Twins continue to hold the top spot in the AL Central, while the Seattle Mariners are trying to play themselves into the AL Wild Card picture in a far tougher division.

The Twins are in Seattle on Monday to start an early week series with two stud pitchers on the mound with Minnesota set to start Sonny Gray and the Mariners countering with Logan Gilbert.

Both pitchers have been stellar this season while both offenses have struggled at times, but the Mariners came out of the All-Star break with a whimper, struggling at home against the Tigers, losing two of three.

Can Seattle get on track on Monday, or will Gray continue his fantastic season for Minnesota? Here are the odds and our best bet:

Seattle hit only .167 in the three game series against the Tigers, scoring only six runs in the process. Overall, the Mariners have underwhelmed at the dish all season, 23rd in OPS and hitting only .231 as a unit, 28th in the big leagues.

Now, the team has to face Gray, who has been on a mission this season. The Minnesota starter has a 2.89 ERA on the year behind fantastic command of the strike zone and generating soft contact, allowing a microscopic three percent home run to fly ball rate. Pitching in the hitter friendly T-Mobile Park, Gray is going to be dealing on Monday.

It won't be easy for the Twins offense, though, as the team is set to face Gilbert of the Mariners. The third year pro has a 3.66 ERA with a slightly better xERA at 3.35. The righty has showcased great control this season, walking less than two batters per nine innings. However, it's tough to trust this Mariners offense to give him the necessary run support.

This game should be tightly contested, but I don't believe Gray should be an underdog to a lineup this poor, so give me Minnesota to pull the slight road upset.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.