Ben Burns Sports Picks & Handicapper Review

I'm playing on Cleveland/Cincy OVER the total. With all due respect to Bieber, who has admittedly gotten off to a strong start, this is a low number. Yes, yesterday's game stayed below the total. However, prior to that, eight of the previous 10 meetings between these teams had produced a minimum of nine runs, including each of the past three. I expect things to return to "normal" here. While Bieber has been sharp, Mahle hasn't been so good, though he's only made one start. Through just four innings, he gave up six hits. Mahle's two start vs. Cleveland were forgettable, a 19-4 loss and an 11-1 loss. Mahle gave up seven runs (5 earned) in the first of those, lasting just 2 1/3 innings. He wasn't all that much better in the second, sticking around only four innings. Needless to say, both games finished above the number. Look for this one to also prove higher-scoring than many will be expected. 

I'm playing on COLORADO. This is an ultra competitive division. The Dodgers and Rockies figure to battle it out, along with perhaps the Padres. Right now, the Padres and Dodgers are facing each other. So, its a chance for the Rockies to put some distance between themselves and at least one of those teams. Last night, the Padres beat LA, while Colorado took care of business. That leaves the Rockies at 7-2 with both LA and SD at 7-4. With Marquez on the mound, the Rockies will have an excellent shot at again gaining on one of those teams. He's got a 1.54 ERA and 0.857 WHIP thus far. Gausman, on the other hand, has a 6.24 ERA. Rockies take advantage of the mismatch and keep on rolling. 

I'm playing on ATLANTA. The Braves lost Soroka for the season yesterday, a devastating blow. Don't expect a repeat performance with Fried pitching today though. Indeed, the Braves aren't likely to lose too many at home with their star southpaw, now the undisputed ace with Soroka down, pitching. Thus far, Fried is a 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA to go along with a dominant 0.686 WHIP. To be fair, Shoemaker also pitched well in his lone start. However, he's not likely to get much support. Not against Fried. Not from a Toronto team which is a dismal 39-70 the past 2+ seasons against southpaws. The Jays have had a layoff - which may help from an injury perspective but not necessarily for Shoemaker's rhythm, as he hasn't pitched in a week and a half. Knowing his team needs him more than ever, expect Fried to step up once again, the Braves bouncing back and continuing their strong play here. 

I'm playing NYR on the puck-line (+1.5 goals.) Facing elimination, we're going to get the very best that the Rangers have. While coming back from a 2-0 deficit, in a best of five series, has historically proven very difficult, I don't expect the Rangers to go down without a fight. While the Panthers are 12-13 off a win by two or more goals, the Rangers are 13-8 (+8.2) off a loss by two or more. They're also 8-3 (+7.8!) after scoring one goal or less in their previous game. The first game was decided by a single goal. Expect AT LEAST another "puck-line cover" from the desperate Rangers here. 

I'm playing on WASHINGTON. The Nats have the schedule and venue in their favor. They should also have the edge on the mound. While the Mets are off a game at Atlanta yesterday, the champs had the day off. Despite facing the Yankees in his first start, Corbin was outstanding. He allowed just one earned run, on only two hits, while recording eight K's without walking a batter. Corbin's last start against the Mets was of the quality variety but it was at NY and against Syndergaard. (NY won 4-3.) In his last home start against the Mets, alll Corbin did was record 11 K's against just one walk, while giving up only four hits and one run, through eight innings. Washington won 5-1. Expect another win for the Nats here. 

I'm playing on PORTLAND. The Blazers know they can beat this Rocket team; they've taken two of three meetings this season, both in 2020. I believe that they're catching Houston at the right time. Not only are the Rockets off b2b wins against Doncic (OT) and Giannis but they've got Lebron on deck. Note that both Houston's first two games have been decided by four points while both of Portland's have been decided by five or less. Rockets are just 8-14 ATS past couple of seasons, when off an upset win as an underdog, 2-5 ATS their last seven in that situation. Grab the points. 

I'm playing on TORONTO. After getting blanked 2-0 in the opening game, the Leafs are going to be a hungry and desperate team. Coach Sheldon Keefe had this to say: “That's what their system is designed to do, is to frustrate you. We've talked a lot about that. But the good news is in just talking to our guys and the type of practice that we had, our guys are not frustrated. Our guys are hungry to get back at it and recognize where we can get better and know that we have more to give so we'll be ready to play tomorrow." I absolutely expect that to be the case. The Leafs had plenty of chances. This is a team with some serious offensive weapons. They hadn't been blanked in a playoff game since back in 2002 and it won't happen twice in a row. Leafs bounce back.