Jim Feist Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

I like the under here on Tuesday as the LA Sparks visit the Connecticut Sun. 

Both of these offenses coming into this game have been trending down, indicating a lower-scoring affair may be on the horizon.

Connecticut is clearly the best reason to buy into the Under. The Sun are averaging just 79.2 points per game and their last two games had final scores of 75-72 (vs Phoenix) and 82-75 (vs New York) with only 147 and 157 total points. Connecticut has not demonstrated reliable offensive firepower to consistently push the score up into the 170s.

Los Angeles has cooled off as well. The Sparks only scored 70 points in their Saturday loss to Washington, and have lost 10-of-12 games. Los Angeles also doesn’t have Kelsey Plum anymore after trading her to Phoenix, forcing more offense onto Rae Burrell, Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby.

Cameron Brink (rib injury) and Erica Wheeler (ankle) are also worth monitoring heading into this one. Connecticut injuries to monitor are Aaliyah Edwards and Brittney Griner. Injuries to frontcourt and playmakers usually leads to teams having more half-court sets and inefficient possessions.

These teams combined for only 165 points in their first matchup with Connecticut emerging with a 84-81 win. Those are only numbers I am interested in considering because of how well they align with current injuries and recent offensive struggles.  Take the Under here on Tuesday. 

Jim's Play: 615. LA Sparks/ Con Sun UNDER (WNBA Total of the Week)

My free play for Tuesday will be on the Chicago Sox/Cubs OVER the total in their second game of the Crosstown Classic on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

First of all, the pitching matchup sets up both offenses for success. Chicago sends Bryan Hudson to the mound. He’s got a record of 3-4 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. The Cubs will counter with Kevin Gausman, who is 6-11 with a 4.53 ERA. Gausman has especially been hurting lately, allowing six runs and seven hits in just 4 2/3 innings his last outing against Washington.

Offensively, both sides are also coming into this game hot. The first game of this Crosstown rivalry went 7-5 in favor of the Cubs on Monday, with Chicago compiling 14 hits in that contest. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two homers while Seiya Suzuki added another. Over in the loss, the White Sox have some power as well with a three-run homer from Randal Grichuk and a two-run blast from Andrew Benintendi. The White Sox also came into this series on a hot streak as well, sweeping Detroit and hitting 12 homers while batting .285 over their last week of play.

With Gausman being shaky as of late, both offenses capable of producing power and both bullpens likely having to cover a lot of innings, I like another bats-flying-out rivalry game.

Jim's Free Play: 979. White Sox / Chicago Cubs OVER

For my AL East Game of the Week, I’ll take Tampa Bay over Toronto. Tampa Bay has been lights out in this matchup all season and they’ve added the pitching advantage to give them another favorable contest at home.

Nick Martinez takes the hill for Tampa Bay and he comes in at 12-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Martinez also comes in having already beaten Toronto this season, working six scoreless innings in a 7-1 win on July 20. Toronto starts Jose Soriano who sports a solid 9-6 record and 3.16 ERA, but Tampa Bay has had Toronto’s number no matter who they’ve started this season.

Tampa Bay is 8-2 against Toronto this season, including 5-1 at home. The Rays have outscored the Blue Jays 53-28 in those 10 games. Toronto will be without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. once again, as he remains on the seven-day concussion IL. Tampa Bay will still have their hands full against Toronto, but taking one of their best hitters out of the lineup definitely improves Martinez’s odds in this one.

Closer Bryan Baker picked up his MLB-leading 35th save while also notching his 24th consecutive save opportunity. Having a dependable closer to protect leads in late innings is huge and Tampa Bay has that in Baker.

Nick Martinez is pitching to a 2.74 ERA, Tampa owns the head to head and they’re playing at home without Guerrero in the lineup. Those factors are enough for me to take Tampa Bay to win here on Tuesday as my AL East Game of the Week.

Jim's Play: 962. Rays (AL East Game of the Week)

I’m backing the Texas Rangers to win against the Washington Nationals Tuesday night as I believe the starting pitching matchup and home-field advantage gives Texas the best paths to victory.

Cal Quantrill is the main reason why. He’s quietly put together a 4-4 record with a 3.44 ERA and 1.20 WHIP entering his start. The right-hander was good in his last outing against the Angels, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six over five innings. Texas should be able to control the game if he can deliver another five or six solid innings.

Jackson Kent will take the ball for Washington. The rookie left-hander is only making his second major-league start after making his debut against the Cubs last week. Kent flashed strikeout potential, but command was an issue as he allowed three runs on four hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings. Only 37 of Kent’s 78 pitches were strikes and a disciplined Texas lineup will force him into long counts and possibly head to Washington’s bullpen early.

Throw in the fact that James Wood is on the injured list and this is a worrisome offense for Washington fans. The Nationals are coming in having dropped three straight and four straight on the road while the Rangers head back to Globe Life Field where they’re 32-27 this season. Texas also carries more with then being just two games behind Houston for first place in the AL West. Wins against a sub-.500 team like Washington are must-have situations at this point in the year.

Quantrill’s last start was strong, Kent struggled with his control in his MLB debut, the Nationals will be without James Wood and the Rangers will be back at Globe Life Field so I’ll take Texas to win Tuesday’s game.

Jim's Play: 978. Rangers 

Atlanta has reason to bounce back and I like the Braves to win against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. Starting pitching sets up nicely for Atlanta to win Game 2 and even the series.

Tyler Mahle hasn’t given Atlanta much reason to worry since arriving. In his first two starts with Atlanta, Mahle has allowed just one run while striking out seven over six innings against the Mets in his most recent start, one that Atlanta won 6-3. His ERA (4.64) and record (4-9) don't paint the picture of how good he has been pitching lately.

Zebby Matthews, who makes his second start of the season against Atlanta, is coming in at 6-8 with a 5.34 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. Matthews still allows plenty of contact, giving up four runs over five innings in his most recent start against Baltimore. He’s not a good matchup against an Atlanta lineup that includes Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Austin Riley. Olson has hit 36 home runs and Riley is hitting baseballs well this month of August.

Atlanta should also find themselves in a good spot to bounce back after their 4-2 loss on Monday. Minnesota only scored four runs, all coming in the first inning, but Atlanta pitching staff shut the Twins out over their last eight innings. Atlanta also had some good opportunities late in the game but couldn’t cash them in. However they should still have confidence in their ability to put runs on the board against Matthews.

Atlanta just has too much talent overall. They’re 74-51 on the season while Minnesota sits at 61-65. The Braves team ERA of 3.65 is the second-best in the NL. 

Mahle is pitching the best baseball of his season, Matthews can’t stop runs from happening and Atlanta simply has more thunder in their batting order than Minnesota does. I’ll take the Braves to bounce back on Tuesday Night.

Jim's Play: 975. Braves