Don Best Consensus
Milwaukee at Toronto
Pick: Toronto
We were on Stroman for his first start after his fantastic outing at the World Baseball Classic. He did not disappoint, giving up a single run in the seventh inning as the 1H ticket won 4-0. Chase Anderson is more of a liability than a guy with plus stuff.
Buster Sports
Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators
Play: Ottawa Senators +115
The Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators start their NHL playoff series tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre, in Ottawa. The Senators have owned the Bruins of late winning the last 6 games between the clubs. Tonight Boston has a few injuries that they are dealing with and the Senators must take advantage. The Bruins will be without Krug, Carlo and Acciari tonight and David Krejci and Dominic Moore are hurting as well and won't be 100%. Ottawa received great news when one of the league's best defenseman Erik Karlsson returned to the team from a 3 game absence. The Senators have not made the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 years so you can just imagine how the home crowd will play an important part for the Senators tonight. This is going to be a tough, hard fought series but the Senators have the advantage tonight with all the Bruin injuries and we are getting plus money with the home side.
MIKE LUNDIN
New York vs. Philadelphia
Play: Philadelphia -114
The New York Mets are going for a sweep of this three-game series at Citizens Bank Park tonight, but I think the home team will break out with a big performance in this one. Note that the Phillies are 7-3 in their last 10 games after losing the first two games of a series.
Vince Velasquez (0-1, 9.00 ERA) takes the ball for the Phillies. He lasted only four innings of a 7-6 loss against Washington in his season debut, but struck out 10 while allowing four runs on five hits (two homers). He went 1-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 20 strikeouts in three starts against the Mets last year. New York hands the ball to Zack Wheeler (0-1, 11.25 ERA). He missed the 2015 and 2016 season due to injuries and was tagged with five runs on six hits in four innings of a loss to the Marlins on Friday.
The Phillies held a team meeting Tuesday, and they need a win here to calm things down in the clubhouse.
TJ MASTERLINE
Rays vs. Yankees
Play: Over 8.5
So early start today, we love the over in New York. So we've got Blake Snell, who just walks too many guys. That will be his downfall today, and surely help us to get to the over. Yankees offense is potentially great, as they have been the last 4 games, scoring 24 runs in those. Then, the Yankees are throwing out there Jordan Montgomery for his debut. He won't be nervous lol. We like some other stats too. Here's why: Over is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in New York. Over is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings. Over is 5-1 in Rays last 6 games following an off day. Over is 3-1-1 in Rays last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter. Over is 13-5-1 in Rays last 19 during game 2 of a series. Over is 13-6-4 in Rays last 23 road games vs. a left-handed starter. Over is 4-0 in Snells last 4 starts during game 2 of a series. Over is 5-2 in Snells last 7 starts with 5 days of rest. Over is 4-0 in Yankees last 4 overall. Over is 4-0 in Yankees last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 4-0 in Yankees last 4 on grass. Over is 4-0 in Yankees last 4 vs. American League East. Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter. Over is 11-4 in Yankees last 15 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Jimmy Boyd
Minnesota at Detroit
Play: Detroit -131
I really like the value with Detroit in this spot. Minnesota has been a big surprise so far, but they also opened the season against the Royals and White Sox. Don't be fooled by the Twins. Their offense hasn't done anything. The starters have pitched well, but again against a couple of other blew average offensive teams. Today's starter for the Twins is Kyle Gibson, who lasted just 5 innings after giving up 3 runs on 5 hits (2 HRs) and 2 walks. He's easily the Minnesota starter I trust the least and I look for him to struggle here against the Tigers, who are also off to a strong start at 5-2 and are 4-1 in their last 5.
Detroit counters with Michael Fulmer, who I believe isn't quite getting the respect he deserves. Fulmer won the AL Rookie of the Year last year going 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 26 starts last year. He didn't disappoint in the opener, holding a loaded Red Sox offense to just 4 hits over 6 shutout innings. Fulmer has been rock solid at home and has really pitched well in day game. He was 5-0 with a 1.78 ERA in 8 starts in day games last year.
ANDREW GOLD
Minnesota at Detroit
Play: Detroit -131
At this price it's hard not to really like Fulmer here. Fulmer has proven to be one of the best young pitchers in all of baseball and actually just one of the best especially in the AL. His first start of the season he pitched 6 scoreless innings against the Red Sox striking out 4. Considering how lethal the Red Sox offense is that's very impressive.
Kibson was all over the map in his debut against the Royals. He went 5 innings gave up 3 earned runs including 2 homers. It was clear he really struggled with his command even walking 2 during that span. Gibson has a career ERA of 4.84 against the Tigers
INFO PLAYS
Orioles vs. Red Sox
Play: Red Sox -145
Here are some systems backing our pick. Boston is 79-40 (+35.7 Units) against the money line after 3 straight games with no home runs since 1997. Jimenez is 1-12 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in road games after 2 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
Jack Brayman
My free play is on the early game in Washington D.C., as I like the Washington Nationals on the Run Line over the St. Louis Cardinals, who are struggling a little too much to contend with these Nats.
Though pitchers are automatically listed when making Run Line wagers, I am insisting you DO NOT worry about who the scheduled starters are. In the event of a scratch, you MUST re-wager the game with the new pitcher(s) who are scheduled. This play will stand no matter who pitches for either team.
Now that said, I can't ignore the fact we have Max Scherzer going today, and that's a plus. In his season debut, he gave up two runs over 6 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and two walks.
But it's the lineup that'll do damage for us, as the Nationals lead the league after a week and a half with a .308 batting average. Washington is the only team hitting better than .300.
The Redbirds have lost three straight, and their offense is hurting, with a weak .218 batting average.
Take the home team big here.
1* NATIONALS
Eric Schroeder
Let's play the Angels tonight, as your free winner - again. They're in after an extra-inning win last night, and will continue this three-game series against the Texas Rangers, as they're riding a four-game win streak into this game.
The Angels opened the 2017 campaign by splitting four games with the Oakland A's to start the season, and then won their weekend series against the Seattle Mariners.
They've appeared to carry the momentum over, especially against a division foe that is supposed to vie for the American League West title.
The Angels, who are 36-22 against the Rangers over the past three years, will get an offensive boost from Mike Trout, who is a career .328 hitter against the Rangers.
Your free winner tonight is on the Halos.
5* ANGELS
Wunderdog
St. Louis @ Minnesota
Pick: Minnesota -145
St. Louis opens the series on the road and won't have veteran center Paul Stastny (foot) to start the series. They face a talented Minnesota team that is second in goals scored, ninth on the power play, seventh in goals allowed, and eighth in penalty killing. Minnesota is 27-11 against the Western Conference. Minnesota got over its late season slump winning the last four games by a 17-9 count. They've also won six in row playing on three or more days rest, plus are 20-8 after allowing two goals or less in their previous game.
Wunderdog
Philadelphia @ New York
Pick: Philadelphia -2
It will be yet another year of no playoffs for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, this team is heading in the right direction. After just 10 wins last season, they have 28 heading into their finale. If they avoided the injury bug things could have looked even brighter. They have been under the radar all season at 47-33-1 ATS. Speaking of injuries, the Knicks will continue to be without Porzinga, Anthony, and Rose, arguably their top three players, and the last couple games they have had no answers on the offensive end, scoring 88 and 97 points and losing both by double-digits. There is no hunger on this team, and now not many options on the offensive end.
Jim Feist
Rangers at Angels
Play: Angels -130
The Angels look to remain hot as they continue their three-game series. The Angels have matched their best eight-game start in franchise history at 6-2 thanks in part to the play of Mike Trout, who delivered a key RBI double in Tuesday's comeback and is hitting .300 with two homers and eight RBIs. The Angels are 11-1 in their last 12 home games. The visiting Rangers squandered a five-run lead and dropped a 6-5 decision in 10 innings a day earlier. The Angels are 36-22 against the Rangers since the start of the 2014 season, so grab the home team.
BRANDON LEE
Yankees -115
Yankees are worth a look here as a small home favorite against the Rays. New York has won two straight in impressive fashion, outscoring their opponents 15-4. I look for the offense to keep it going here against Tampa Bay's Blake Snell, who was far from sharp in his first start, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks in a loss to the Blue Jays (Toronto's only win in 2017). Value here is because the Yankees are sending out a guy most of you have never heard of in Jordan Montgomery. He wasn't even being considered for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, but was so good in spring training he got the job. He was really good in the minors and it's not like the Rays are a big threat offensively. I'll take my chances that even if Montgomery struggles, New York's offense will be able to bail us out.
Will Rogers
Baltimore vs. Boston
Pick: Boston
The set-up: Boston opened the season with two wins over the Pirates in Fenway. A return to Fenway helped last night, as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 8-1 in the first of a short two-game series with Baltimore. The loss was Baltimore's second in a row, after a 4-0 start to the season. A worry has to be Baltimore's bullpen. It surrendered five runs over the last two innings to blow a 3-2 lead in Sunday's home setback against the New York Yankees, then gave up three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings on Tuesday.
The pitching matchup: Ubaldo Jimenez (0-0 & 10.38 ERA) gets the nod for Baltimore and knuckkleballer Steven Wright (0-0 & 5.40 ERA) for Boston. Jimenez struggled through a chilly night last Friday but escaped with a no-decision versus the New York Yankees after giving up five runs and seven hits (including two HRs) over 4 1/3 innings. He has struggled more against Boston than any other American League team over his career, going 2-7 with a 6.63 ERA in 15 starts (teams are 6-9), including 0-3 with a 5.94 ERA in five starts last year. Wright did factor in the decision Friday at Detroit, permitting four runs on seven hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings. A worry is that posted a 4.05 ERA at Fenway Park last year, compared to a 2.09 road ERA. He was hammered over his final three starts at home, going 0-1 with a 10.44 ERA. However, he was he exceptional against the Orioles last season, winning both of his starts while posting a 2.76 ERA and holding them to a .175 average.
The pick: Jimenez has 'ugly career number against teh Red Sox and the Baltimore bullpen, after working 17 1/3 scoreless innings to begin the season, has surrendered 12 runs (11 earned) over its last five innings (that's a 19.80 ERA). Boston is 3-0 at home so far in 2017, outscoring opponents 5.33-to-1.33 RPG.
Larry Ness
Houston vs. Seattle
Pick: Seattle
The Mariners are surely tired of seeing the Astros (have lost four of six matchups so far) and in particular, have had enough of George Springer. The No. 11 overall pick of the 2011 draft has four HRs in six meetings with Seattle in 2017. He's MLB's leader with five HRs so far and entered this season with 11 HRs in 45 games against the Mariners (make that 15 in 51 games, now!). Seattle's struggles against the Astros in the first two weeks of the season has the team off to its worst nine-game start since the 2011 team also lost seven of nine out of the gate. The Astros have opened 2017 at 5-4 .
Mike Fiers (0-1, 1.50 ERA) gets the nod for Houston, while Yovani Gallardo (0-1, 5.40 ERA) will take the hill for Seattle. Fiers recorded a quality start in his season debut against Kansas City on Friday, yielding two runs (just one ER) on five hits and three walks over six innings while extending his streak of not issuing more than three walks to 35 consecutive starts. He posted a career-high 11 victories in 2016, his first full season with Houston, and was sharp in spring training as well (1-0, 1.98 ERA). Fiers picked up his only victory in three starts last year against the Mariners at Seattle, working six scoreless innings (he's 1-0 with a 4.95 ERA in four LT starts / teams are 3-1) .
Gallardo took the loss in his season debut Friday at the Angels, allowing three runs and eight hits while walking a pair over five innings. He struggled last year in his only season with Baltimore (6-8, 5.42 ERA in 23 starts) and wasn't any better in spring training last month, going 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in five exhibition outings. However, Gallardo has enjoyed excellent success vs Houston in his career. He's 15-5 record and 3.15 ERA in 22 starts (teams are 16-6).