Handicapper Big Al McMordie Free Sports Picks

At 7:40 pm, our selection is on the Milwaukee Bucks over the Atlanta Hawks.  Giannis Antetokounmpo has just been upgraded to 'probable,' so we'll put the trigger on the Bucks.  Both teams do come into this game on win streaks.  The Bucks routed the Magic by 37, and the Timberwolves by 25.  Meanwhile, Atlanta's won its last three in a row, including back to back upset wins over Charlotte and Toronto in their last two.  Generally speaking, I like to go against teams off back to back upset wins, and especially if they're matched up against foes also in good form, off back to back wins, themselves.  Dating back to 1990, our teams off back to back upset wins are a poor 166-228 ATS.  That doesn't bode well for Atlanta tonight.  Nor does the fact that the Hawks have lost 11 of the last 12 meetings, straight-up, vs. Milwaukee.  And Atlanta's only win was by a single point, 136-135, in overtime.  Finally, Atlanta's a poor 20-39 ATS as home dogs off a win, if they're matched up against a non-division foe.  Lay the points with Milwaukee.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 12:10 pm, our selection is on the Philadelphia Phillies over the New York Mets.  The Phils are on a 3-game losing streak, and are in danger of getting swept by the Mets in this 4-game series.  This afternoon, New York will send its ace, Jacob deGrom, to the mound, as he seeks his first win of the season.  He's made two starts, and has a 0.64 ERA, but is 0-1.  And that's been par for the course in deGrom's career, as he's always had a great ERA.  But, much of the time, he leaves games with losses or no-decisions, as the Mets' run support for him has been below average.  So, it's no surprise that the Mets are just 99-90 in his career, -28 games on the moneyline.  Even worse:  when installed as a home favorite of -150 (or more) with deGrom on the mound, the Mets are a wallet-busting 28-29 (minus 29 games on the moneyline).  The Phillies will hand the ball to Zach Eflin today, and he's pitched well in his two starts (3.46 ERA; 1.00 WHIP).  The Phillies are also a competitive 9-10 (+6 games on the moneyline) as a road underdog of +150 (or more) with Eflin.  We'll take the big road underdog in this daytime affair.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.