Gabriel DuPont
Free play for tonight, as I look to improve on my 40-25 run with complimentary plays: Minnesota at KANSAS CITY (-155)
The STORYLINE in this game today - American League Central rivals meet in Kansas City, where the Royals look to pick up from a season-opening series with the New York Mets, against a not-so competitive Minnesota Twins team that doesn't have the pitching or offense to match the defending World Series champs.
The X-FACTOR in making this choice on this game - Rest and preparation is the key in this one, as the Royals have had two days off after splitting two games in three days against the Mets in a rematch of the Fall Classic they won in five games. Kansas City, at home, with rest for a less-than-worthy opponent makes for a big win.
BOTTOM LINE is - Minnesota comes into this series mired in a three-game slide after being swept in Baltimore to start the season. The Twins scored six total runs in what turned out to be a tight three-game series, but was also marred by the Twins lack of hitting in key moments.
1* ROYALS
Chris Jordan
That's one walk-off for Albert Pujols.
As it turned out, last night's shot into the bleachers gave the Angels their first victory of the 2016 season, and it was a much needed shot in the arm for the Halos.
After a rough start at home against the highly favored Chicago Cubs, the Angels are in the win column, and it comes at the expense of the Texas Rangers.
Tonight I think the momentum carries over, as the Rangers have now lost three in a row, after losing their last two at home to the Seattle Mariners and then Thursday night's contest to the Halos. Texas hasn't won a series in April since 2014, and I think that skid continues, with the Angels looking to prove a lot of critics wrong.
So many believe the Halos' weaknesses are every aspect of the team other than Mike Trout, the second-best player in baseball. (Yes, I think Bryce is better).
Last night's home run by Pujols should provide some immunization, as the Halos will be able to feed off that and go on a little win streak here.
I won't worry about listing pitchers in this one, as I really don't care about A.J. Griffin or Matt Shoemaker.
Take the home team in this one.
1* ANGELS
Harry Bondi
NY KNICKS -2 over Philadelphia
Back on the winning track with the Birds over the Twins as your free play yesterday. Tonight we turn to the NBA for your FREE winner and back the Knicks who have won and covered all 3 meetings with Philly this season and have gone 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games in the City of Brotherly Love. We had the Sixers over New Orleans Tuesday but Philadelphia has not won back to back games in 4 months. Knickerbockers!
Dave Essler
Dodgers / Giants Over 8
I have to put something on this - a rookie making his debut two years removed from Tommy John surgery against Matt Cain, who even if he IS at semi full strength, the Dodgers know him all too well. The Giants used some arms in the pen last night, while LAD did a well, save their closer - so we hope we've got this long before the ninth inning. I also know Cain cam HIT, which never hurts.
Bruce Marshall
Cardinals / Braves Under 7
Two teams having lots of trouble scoring runs get together tonight at Turner Field. The Cardinals have pushed across just 7 runs in their first three games while the Braves have scored just four runs in two games. For Atlanta, the scoring slump extends to spring training, tallying 3 runs or fewer in eight of their last ten games. Since pitching has also been good both ways thus far, expect Jaime Garcia and Matt Wisler to be involved in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel tonight.