Alex Smart Free Picks & Sports Handicapper Review

  Cleveland sends right-hander Carlos Carrasco (5-2, 3.66 ERA) to the mound to face Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (5-2, 3.63).

Carrasco the Indians starter vs the Astros tonight is coming off an effort where had 14 strikeouts and followed that up by  allowing three runs on six hits in 6 2/3 with four SOs Monday in Detroit. The righty is 2-0 with 22 strikeouts, two walks and no runs allowed in 15 1/3 career innings (two starts) in Houston and get my support here this evening. CARRASCO team  is 23-8   against the money line in road games vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse .HOUSTON is 1-7  against the money line in home games vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start this season.

Play on the Cleveland Indians to win on the moneyline

 ALEX WOOD (L) vs. STEPHEN STRASBURG (R)

Strasburg the Nats starter today is in top form of late, going 3-0 along with garnering a stingy 2.61 ERA in his L/3 trips to the hill and gets my support here today vs a LA Dodgers team tht has  lost 19 of their L/27 games vs a RHP starter. Meanwhile, Alex Wood the Dodgers starter is a off a good effort last time out, but that has not been a recipe for continued success as his team is 0-4 when he is  off a quality outing.

STEPHEN STRASBURG is 14-0  against the money line in May games over the last 3 seasons. WOOD is 6-18  against the money line in day games in his career.

Someone seems to like Sunday baseball. STRASBURG teams when he starts are  28-4 against the money line when playing on Sunday .Nationals are 58-18 in Strasburgs last 76 starts. Nationals are 14-3 in game 3 of a series.

MLB All favorites with a money line of -150 or more on the opening line (WASHINGTON) - average offensive team (4.0 to 4.5 runs/game) against a good starter (ERA 3.70 or less) (NL), with a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) are 88-21 L/5 seasons for a 81% conversion rate for bettors.

Play on the Washington Nationals to win on the moneyline

Phoenix looks set to play much better defense than many might give them credit for being able to do. I watched portions of their opening win vs a potent Dallas offense, and feel confident they matchup well vs Seattle and have the ability to slow them down offensively and clamp down a side that takes way to many three pointers to compete. I'm betting on this game staying on the low side of the number. My own Totals projections set this numbers at 154 to 156 so we have value on this line.

Play UNDER

Phoenix opened their season with a 86-78 win as 5 point chalk vs Dallas and look like viable underdogs in this spot vs the Seattle Storm. PHOENIX is 6-0 ATS   in road games off a win against a division rival over the last few seasons.

 Mercury C Brittney Griner  looks primed for a  season as does  C Marie Gulich. F DeWanna Bonner, back after having twins, plus  former  Fever PG Briann January. Finish off with future HOF Diana Taurasi  and you have a dangerous Mercury side to back vs a Storm side depends way to much on 3 point shooting and veteran Bird who at 37 has slowed considerably despite of still having great basketball prowess.

WNBA  Road teams with a money line of +135 to -155 (PHOENIX) - vs. division opponents, off an home win scoring 85 or more points are a long term good bet going 63-32 L/21 seasons for a 65% conversion rate for bettors.

Play on the Phoenix Mercury to cover

The core of the Sparks that  led  to success recently remains intact as  F Nneka Ogwumike (2016 MVP) and F/C Candace Parker (2008, '13 MVP) are still on the court . New faces include veteran G Cappie Pondexter and rookie C Maria Vadeeva and make them viable contenders. Their two way play is their strength , and I'm betting it keeps them in this game vs Minnesota side that had to replace a lot of their bench in the off season. The defending champs  beat the Sparks in last years finals , and are a still a top tier  team, but their overloaded veteran presence  , makes them vulnerable to injuries and exhaustion late in games, and their hunger to beat up on a team they beat last season, may be less their opponents urge for revenge.  Take the points in what should be a competitive game.

LOS ANGELES is 27-15 ATS  in all games dating back to last season.

WNBA Road teams vs. the money line (LOS ANGELES) - solid team from last season - outscored opponents by 6 or more points/game, vs. division opponents are 26-5 L/21 seasons for a powerful 84% conversion rate for bettors.

Play on the LA Sparks to cover