24 Expert Picks
This is an absurd overreaction to one game last year. The first Mexico City game was 16-11, but it turned out they accidentally used non-humidor balls. The next game was 6-4. Coors Field is only averaging 9.5 runs per game this year. We're gonna nearly double that? With Ronel Blanco on the hill against a terrible Rockies' offense? I hate taking unders, but this line is too enticing to pass up.
This was always a bad match-up for Lakers, who looked like a team ready for their season to end in fourth quarter Game 3. We are coming up on a dozen straight wins for the Nuggets over them (most by 8+ points), they sent the Lake Show home last year and AD is running out of gas in the second half every night. Nuggets still havent played their best game but know how important a quick series and more rest can be. Lakers can't defend all of their perimeter options and The Joker is in their heads. This series is due for a 15-point stinker and I believe this will be it. Crowd knows its over too. Lakers would be better off on road.
Still in auto-fade mode with the White Sox. Scrapped one together on Friday but that an anomaly. Rays getting Josh Lowe back. Sox only have 4 wins all season. Sox running out another kid pitcher probably before he's ready who the league is starting get a book on. Rays will bounce back after embarrassing night
Simply put: Alexandar Georgiev answered the call in Game 2 in Winnipeg. While I still don't fully trust him, I do believe Georgiev played well enough to get the confidence boost he needed for the Avs to go on a run. I also expect a better performance from Connor Hellebuyck, but this Avs attack is lethal. Look for Colorado to continue its dominance at Ball Arena on Friday night.
Kawhi Leonard grabbed seven rebounds in 35 minutes in Game 2. In his two previous meetings with the Mavs, Leonard collected 10 and six rebounds. Dallas gives up the third-most rebounds in the NBA (53.7 percent) and has yielded 59 per game over its last three. Leonard (knee) is questionable but expected to play. He is "feeling good" after returning to action Tuesday, per coach Ty Lue. Look for Leonard to play 30-plus minutes and pull down at least six rebounds.
Nothing has changed here. The Avs still have a goaltending problem, although they sure seem to have Connor Hellebuyck's number. Still, we are getting +1.5 at about the same price as Avalanche ML. So in OT while you ML bettors are sweating a cash, I'll be sweating in the hot tub and trying to go back to the 80s. Could really use some El DeBarge.
Some alarming developments for the Halos, who have only won one series thus far (a three-game sweep in Miami) and are only 7-15 in games not involving the lowly Marlins. Baserunning snafus continue to haunt Ron Washington (Jo Adell thrown at trying to steal to end the Wednesday loss to the O's), not to mention patience running thin with starter Patrick Sandoval, whose inconsistencies (as well as his 6.75 ERA) remain hard to ignore. Meanwhile, big Bailey Ober has been sharp on the mound for the Twins ever since getting hammered in the opener by the Royals, with a 1.06 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in three subsequent starts. Minnesota also finally has momentum after a 4-game sweep of the Chisox. Play Twins on Money Line
The LA Angels find themselves as slight home favorite tonight against the Minnesota Twins. The pitching matchup features a struggling Patrick Sandoval versus Bailey Ober who has been sharp his last three outings. For the Twins the travel factor from yesterday’s series is something to be leery of here. Additionally, Miguel Sano will get a chance for revenge on his former team of eight years.
We saw the Dallas Mavericks flip the switch in game two on the defensive end of the floor. They forced tough shots the entire game from the Clipper’s star players in Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Paul George. Now expect the Mavericks to defend their home court as they were the top team in the NBA down the stretch of the season.
We suspect this series will continue to be played on the edge, with scorelines as close as the Dallas win in Game 2. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is going to appear on the Clips' injury report for every game, but he fact he got back on the floor at midweek suggests he is likely to continue giving it a go in the playoffs. Of course, LA won Game One minus Kawhi, and the Mavs continue to lean very hard on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who scored more than 60% of the Dallas points in Game 2. Even if Kawhi doesn't feature, still plenty of go-to scorers on the Clips side, and the zig-zag has already worked once in this series. Play Clippers
This combo line feels like a free roll considering how it is, in addition to the possibility that Kawhi Leonard may miss this game. Leonard is listed as questionable and he did not appear to be close to 100% in Game 2 where he shot 7-17 from the field. Russell Westbrook still logged at least 23 minutes in both games and in the event that Leonard misses Game 3, his usage and playing time are likely to both increase. Regardless of Leonard's status tonight, Russ appears locked into a 22-25 minutes off the bench and is certainly not shy or passive whenever hes on the court.
With Kawhi Leonard out for Game 1, Russell Westbrook chipped in 13 points and four rebounds over 23 minutes off the bench. He played 24 minutes despite Leonard returning in Game 2, finishing with seven points and nine rebounds. During the regular season, he averaged 11.1 points and 5.0 rebounds over 23 minutes per game. This line is set too low, considering that Westbrook is a key member of the Clippers’ second unit. Take the over.
Unless Bell's palsy affects the ability to run, shoot or jump -- I thought it was a green pepper species -- then it should not matter Joel Embiid apparently had/has it. Clearly didn't in Game 3. And he basically just Namath-ed the series, so his legacy is on the line at least in Game 4 now. The only guarantee I have made in my life? That I meet Katarina Witt. Still waiting yet somehow I have met Tonya Harding in person. What else should I expect at a monster truck rally? (Not usually my thing but long story. Yes, I did ask her to hit my leg and she did. No interest in meeting Nancy Kerrigan.) Philly should be up 2-1.
The Phillies have pen issues. The Phillies paid this guy a boatload of money for years to come to be an ace and that requires you - gasp - pitching into the 7th inning sometimes. I know, crazy right? This to me is one of those spots. His last two starts have totaled 15 1/3 and his arm hasn't fallen off despite registering 46 outs in that span. He's plenty stretched out and I like this payout
Nola has been awesome the last two times out and seems to have found his form from a rough spring. Phillies healthier and hitting the ball well lately. The league is batting .324 off Joe Musgrove in innings 1-5, and he sports a FIP of 5.84 in those innings. I like the momentum the Phils are building, while the Padres tend to be their own worst enemy and have some holes in the lineup with Manny Machado on the IL.