The Ravens are still pretty banged-up and on short rest. The Chiefs are healthy and throw in that the Chiefs are expected to get All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu back, and that seals the deal for me. This might be a bit of a homer picks, but I'm not betting against KC here in this spot but buying the hook just in case. Pick: Kansas City -3 (-120)
This comes down to who wants to win more and I think Cleveland clearly has that need and desire. Steelers will fight because its who they are but their chief concern is rest and health ahead of the playoffs next week. It gets dicey early but the Browns do enough to win and clinch but Browns by double digits feels like too many even with Rudolph under center.
The Wildcats’ strength is their defense and they’ll try to grind the game down with the run game. Northwestern has the 13th-highest run play percentage and 17th-highest net time of possession in the country; however, Wisconsin has the fifth-highest percentage of run plays called and the highest net time of possession in the nation. GIMME UNDER 44
***UNDER 6*** This game should go under six because both teams are coming off one goal scoring performances. The x-factor will be backup goalie Carter Hart, who is 2-0, with a 1.62 GAA, and one shutout. The goalie with the hot stats may be able to slow down the Oilers scoring. Edmonton is a good third period team, while the Flyers like to get things going in the second period. The first goal of this game will go a long way for which ever team gets it.
Vegas is giving Max Schertzer too much love tonight. Scherzer hasn't been the same since returning from injury - he has a 4.50 ERA in last six starts since August 22nd. Aaron Nola has had control issues with a +2.0 WHIP in last outing but I still like Nola and the big plus money in this spot.
Marcus Stroman has struggled since joining the Mets, but Zach Eflin has been struggling of late as well as he has an 8.03 ERA in his last three starts. The Mets have the momentum and they have the edge on the mound.
Both of these squads are expected to have porous defenses and both have high octane offenses so we should see a shootout tonight. The Wildcats have a strong offense, but the Warriors should be much improved on defense this year and they should make just enough stops to keep Arizona from running away from them. I like the points, especially with the hook.
With Atlanta and Philadelphia ruling the NL East, and Chicago and Milwaukee just ahead for the final wild card, plus NYM creaking behind them, Philadelphia cannot afford another letdown. With so much at stake, even with Eflin starting, I believe Philadelphia will carry its Chicago Cubs series momentum into this one and fight off an opportunistic San Diego crew minus its best player.
Its tough to go against Nola at home but the Cubs are the play here. Its been tough sledding for Philadelphia down the stretch as they have had some pitching staff issues. While on the other hand the Cubs and Cole Hamels have been trending upwards. Hamels has been strong for most of the season and two starts under his belt since injury should help him regain his form. The Cubs are 13-5 in Hamels’ last 18 starts, 9-2 in his last 11 starts against winning opponents, and 4-1 in his last five starts against the National League East. Look for the Cubs to deliver a blow the the Phillies playoff hopes
Hamels got touched up against the Reds in his last start but he's still better than Nola and Chicago has the better offense. Big value with the Cubs here at +105
Really surprised this game is a pick em', the Rockies have the edge here given that Marquez is 10-5 and has a 2.3 ERA across his last 3 games. Granted the Padres are playing better baseball right now, I like Marquez to stop the bleeding and pick up the win this afternoon.
Texas offense struggling against good pitching and those trends should continue against Gio Gonzalez. Brewers win a 7-3 type of game. Give me Brewers -1.5 +115
Smyly has been better in his last 2 games but I still don't trust him. Money is coming in on White Sox for a reason, because this game should be closer than- 150 odds. I'll take the Sox and 1.5X on my money all day with Smyly on the hill.
Although the bookmakers expected to see a low-scoring series, two of the previous three contests were finished in the over with six or more goals in the total. The Bruins’ offense seems sharp, and the over has hit in seven of the previous ten head-to-head duels in St. Louis, so I’m taking the over. Betting Pick: Over 5.5 goals (+120)
Getting Carolina at only -120 at home is tempting considering how well the Hurricanes have played at home down the stretch and in the postseason so far. Boston has flat out owned the first two games of the series, and have had no issues winning on the road and owning the Hurricanes going back to the regular season. Based on what we’ve seen in the first two games, I have to side with Boston until they give me a reason to think otherwise.
As a Leafs fan, I really hope I’m wrong here, but it almost seems like Boston has flipped the switch and figured out the way to beat Toronto. The Leafs have a hard time handling the rough bump and go style of play as Toronto’s offense is largely based around speed and finesse, and Toronto has had a hard time in this series rebounding after getting punched in the mouth. Toronto battled back a couple of times in game four, but after coming so close and falling short, sometimes that takes a toll on a team’s psyche. The Bruins regained home ice with the win and I think they won’t let it slip again, so I’ll side with Boston to take game five on Friday
I’m tempted to side with Calgary as you have to think that the Flames are due for a bounce back but Flames lost six game by three or more goals in the regular season, and the next game in five of those six situations resulted in a loss. Sure, the playoffs are a different beast, but the Flames take a little while to get back on their feet after getting their butts kicked. Colorado was heads and shoulders the better team in game three, and are starting to look like a legitimate threat in this series if they weren’t already. I think Colorado and the low line is worth a look as a value play on Wednesday.
The Capitals feature a No. 2 line of Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and Jakub Vrana that combined for 71 goals. Goalie Braden Holtby, who actually entered last year’s playoffs on the bench, surrendered only nine goals in winning all four starts against the Hurricanes this season. Mrazek lost both starts against the Capitals this season, giving up five goals. Playoff experience should also be a factor in this one. Hefty price but Washington is the only bet here.
The Tigers haven't won a road game since beating lowly Texas A&M back in January and are only 1-7 on the road in SEC conference play. I don't see the Bulldogs falling at home to Missouri, but 11 points is a boat load of points here today. The Tigers have been descent against the number lately and just played Florida to a 4 point game and Kentucky to an 8 point game. Mississippi St should win this game but I think the betting value is with Missouri here tonight.
Nets have found their groove and pulled winds in their last 4 games. Hawks having a rough year and defense is worst. Nets get fifth straight win against the Hawks and should get 7 covered without much of a problem.
Don't be suckered into Bama here because of the SEC stigma. Alabama looked like complete shit against Northeastern and Ball State was decent against a solid Virginia Tech team, it was close until the final minutes. The Cardinals are going to be the hungrier team today, ‘Bama could care less about playing in the consolation bracket...but the Cardinals will be hungry to beat a SEC team and I think they will....
Milwaukee has not named a starter and might make this a a bullpen by committee game in order to keep the rotation in sync for the remainder of the series. Senzatela who has been lights out in last 3 starts, I like Rockies and UNDER 8.5 tonight.
Gurley and Goff vs. Rivers and Gordon. Rivers hold the edge over Goff but Gurley holds a slight edge over Gordon. Buuuuttttt, the Rams talent is deeper. The only way the Chargers win this is if Gordon bust out and don't think that happens today. Don't think Rams have trouble covering 7, take it.
PICK: MILWAUKEE +137 -This is the game of the night as two teams with identical records fighting for a playoff spot. Anderson taking the mound for the Brewers, who has had a bit of a rough stretch going lately but in his last two starts he’s been pretty solid on three earned in 10.0 total innings. As for Cubs starter Hendricks, he has allowed just two earned over his last three starts in a span of 18.0 total innings. I think Vegas has the line just about right, but because both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, I will side with Anderson and the plus money.
It's never easy predicting game two of a doublheader without knowing the result of the first game, but the Mets really shouldn't be favored against anybody unless Jacob deGrom is pitching, and even he wasn't good enough for the Mets last night. I'll take plus money to fade the Mets all day.
Two teams going in different directions, I think the Mariners go to work on Cobb tonight...I like Seattle but like the Overs more....I think its a 6-4 type of score.
The Diamondbacks are still clinging to the top spot in the NL West and need this one badly. I prefer Corbin a bit more in this matchup…I'll take Arizona here tonight.
