Free Pick | MLB | Sunday | July 5

Nelly’s has hit 70% in our last 10 MLB side plays – don’t miss a rare top play release Sunday!

#972 Seattle Mariners (Hancock) -125 over Toronto Blue Jays (Yesavage) 4:00 PM CT

Emerson Hancock felt like the weak link in Seattle’s excellent rotation last season, but he has taken a big step forward in 2026 to help keep the Mariners in the AL West race. Hancock has boosted his K/9 to 8.6 while his walk and home run rates have decreased compared to last season, producing a 3.47 ERA and a 3.77 FIP. Hancock’s June splits weren’t his best but four of his past six starts have been on the road, at home he has a 3.38 ERA this season. Seattle’s bullpen has a dominant 0.87 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP in the past five games as well. Trey Yesavage commands a premium after his breakout run for the Blue Jays in the 2025 postseason. At 22, Yesavage has a great deal of upside, but his K/9 has slipped to 8.2 this season and walks have been a consistent challenge. His FIP is about a half-run higher than his ERA and he has only made one road start since late May, even as June featured some ups-and-downs finishing with a 4.75 ERA for the month. Toronto’s lineup continues to disappoint including batting .189 with 2.0 runs per nine over the past 10 games vs. right-handers and this series is a split the past two days, Seattle has an 11-2 edge in scoring. Toronto has been held to two or fewer runs in five of the past six games and Hancock and the Mariners should emerge victorious Sunday at home to take this series.