Winning Sports Picks

Tuesday NHL Free play. My selection is on New York over Carolina at 7 pm et on Tuesday.

This is traditionally around the time when the Hurricanes begin to disappoint and if Game 1 was any indication, this series may go precisely as planned. That's not to say it was a cakewalk for the Rangers. They ultimately had to hold off a late-charging Canes squad in a 4-3 victory. It is worth noting that the Blueshirts have been an excellent 'positive momentum' team over the years. They check in 105-64 (+19.8 net games) when coming off a win over the last three seasons including a 39-19 (+9.2 net games) record in that situation this season. They're also 41-22 (+15.8 net games) when coming off a victory over a division opponent over the last three seasons including a 14-7 (+6.8 net games) in that spot this season. This could very well turn out to be a long series but I think the Canes are going to need to make the most of Games 3 and 4 in Raleigh, keeping in mind they're -5.4 net games in their last 49 contests when seeking revenge for a one-goal loss against an opponent. Take New York.

Tuesday NBA Free play. My selection is on Oklahoma City minus the points over Dallas at 9:30 pm et on Tuesday.

The Mavericks have traditionally been slow starters in playoff series' noting they've gone 14-19 ATS in their last 33 Game 1's including a 1-3 ATS mark over the last three seasons and an 0-1 ATS record this season. They've also just 47-54 ATS in their last 101 contests as an underdog including a 13-14 ATS mark this season. Meanwhile, the Thunder check in 37-22 ATS in their last 59 games as a home favorite including a 23-13 ATS record this season. Oklahoma City is also 31-23 ATS in its last 54 contests following three straight ATS victories, as is the case here, including a 9-7 ATS mark in that situation this season. The home team has gone 5-1 SU in the last six meetings in this series and it's worth noting that the SU winner has gone a perfect 19-0 ATS in the Mavs last 19 contests. I look for the Thunder to hold serve at home on Tuesday. Take Oklahoma City.

My selection is on the 'under' between Cleveland and Boston at 7 pm et on Tuesday.

The Celtics have quietly played at a slower pace over the last month or so, hoisting up fewer than 90 field goal attempts in 11 of their last 14 games including 86 or less in all five contests against the Heat last round. Cleveland saved face offensively by shooting exceptionally well over the final four games against Orlando last round, hiding an offense that looked lost at times and played at a snail's pace for the most part. Note that the 'under' is 41-28 in the Cavaliers last 69 games as a road underdog including a 14-9 record in that situation this season. The 'under' is also a long-term 93-75 in Cleveland's last 168 playoff games including an 11-3 mark over the last three seasons. Meanwhile, the 'under' is 43-33 in the Celtics last 76 contests as a home favorite of between 6.5 and 12.0 points including a 15-10 record this season. The 'under' is also 76-70 in Boston's last 146 games following an 'over' result, as is the case here, including a 25-20 mark in that situation this season. Take the under (8*).

Interleague Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Baltimore and Washington at 6:45 pm et on Tuesday.

Both of these teams exploded offensively in their most recent game on Sunday but I look for a different story to unfold as they open a brief two-game series at Nationals Park on Tuesday. Baltimore will hand the ball to Corbin Burnes. He's had little trouble adjusting to life with a new team, recording a 3.71 FIP and 0.92 WHIP in seven starts this season. Current Nationals hitters have gone just 10-for-44 off of Burnes with four extra-base hits. Behind Burnes is a rested Orioles bullpen that enters this series sporting a collective 3.54 ERA and 1.12 WHIP this season. Veteran right-hander Trevor Williams has more than held his own for the Nationals so far this season, posting a 2.90 FIP and 1.17 WHIP through his first six starts. Williams is by no means flashy and isn't going to blow anyone away with his stuff but I am confident he can keep his solid start going even in the face of this difficult matchup. Note that the Orioles entered last night's action ranked best in baseball in day game OPS this season but are just a middling 14th in night game OPS. The Nationals bullpen has been serviceable this season with a 3.81 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, converting 11 saves while blowing six. One final note, the Nats are 23rd in the majors in OPS over the last seven days (entering last night's action) and 22nd in home OPS this season. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Miami and Los Angeles at 3:10 pm et on Wednesday.

We've seen a couple of fairly high-scoring games with the Dodgers offense leading the way in the first two games in this series. In Wednesday's matinee affair at Dodger Stadium, I'm expecting runs to come at a premium, however. Ryan Weathers will take the ball for Miami. Interestingly, he has held current Dodgers hitters to a combined 6-for-44 at the plate with just two extra-base hits. It's worth noting that Los Angeles has been worse than its season average in terms of OPS in both day games and against left-handed pitching this season. The Marlins will be seeing Dodgers starter Gavin Stone for the first time. Note that Miami checks in 29th in the majors in away OPS this season. The Marlins also rank a disappointing 24th in OPS vs. right-handed pitching. Both bullpens have held up reasonably well lately and neither has seen its key arms get overworked in this series due to the lopsided nature of the previous two contests. Take the under (8*).