Sean Murphy Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

My selection is on the 'under' between Montreal and Saskatchewan at 7 pm et on Saturday.

Last week we saw these two teams combine to score 50 points in an Als blowout victory in Montreal. I expect a different story to unfold in Saturday's rematch in Regina. Note that the Als set the tone for that relatively high-scoring affair by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The only offensive touchdown scored prior to garbage time inside the final two minutes of the fourth quarter came early in the second quarter on a Riders defensive breakdown (70-yard touchdown pass by Montreal). I expect a sharper performance from the Saskatchewan defense here at home. On the flip side, the Riders will be without WR Shaq Evans. Montreal has held up reasonably well defensively so far this season, yielding just 63 points through three games, despite playing two of its three contests on the road. While the Als will have QB Vernon Adams Jr. back in the fold for this one, I'm actually not certain that helps their offense as Trevor Harris filled in admirably over the last two games. Take the under (8*).

Saturday MLB Free play. My selection is on the 'under' between Chicago and San Francisco at 4:05 pm et on Saturday.

This is one of the best starting pitching matchups on Saturday’s board as the White Sox send Dylan Cease to the mound against Logan Webb of the Giants. Cease checks in sporting a Cy Young Award-caliber 2.51 FIP and 1.24 WHIP. He has allowed just under 3.7 runs per nine innings this season. Webb got off to a bit of a shaky start but has since turned things around, recording a 3.03 FIP and 1.12 WHIP while yielding only 3.24 runs per nine frames. Both teams bullpens are serviceable and I’m not certain that much will be asked of them given the two starters strong form an ability to work deep into ball games. Take the under.

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MLB Interleague Game of the Month. My selection is on Boston over Chicago at 7:15 pm et on Saturday.

The Cubs got the better of the Red Sox yesterday afternoon but I expect a different story to unfold on Saturday. Josh Winckowski will take the ball for Boston on Saturday. While he’s only worked 20 innings at the big league level, he has impressed, posting a 3.38 FIP and 1.45 WHIP. He’s giving up only 3.6 runs per nine innings. Alec Mills will counter for the Cubs on Saturday. He has recorded 8.27 FIP and 1.73 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings of work this season. Opponents are averaging more than 10 runs per nine innings off of him this season (small sample size, I know). Look for Boston to get back at Chicago here. Take Boston (10*).

MLB A.L. West Game of the Month. My selection is on Los Angeles +1.5 runs over Houston at 4:10 pm et on Saturday.

I like the advantage the Angels have with Saturday’s starting pitching matchup as they send Patrick Sandoval to the hill against Jose Urquidy. Sandoval has been quietly impressive, recording a 3.21 FIP and 1.37 WHIP this season, giving up only 3.05 runs per nine innings. Urquidy has disappointed, posting a 4.83 FIP and 1.37 WHIP while yielding 4.6 runs per nine frames. Note that the Los Angeles bullpen has been terrific, posting a collective 3.50 ERA and 1.05 WHIP on the road this season (entering last night’s action). The Astros ‘pen is in poor form right now, recording a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over the last seven contests. Take Los Angeles +1.5 runs (10*).

My selection is on Atlanta over Cincinnati at 4:10 pm et on Saturday.

We won with the Braves on the run-line last night and I like them again in this one as they send rookie Spencer Strider to the hill against Tyler Mahle of the Reds. Strider continues to impress in his rookie campaign, posting a 2.20 FIP and 1.08 WHIP while yielding only 3.35 runs per nine innings. Mahle has labored through the season, recording a 3.38 FIP and 1.27 WHIP, giving up north of 4.7 runs per nine innings. The real issue for the Reds is their bullpen, which has struggled mightily, posting a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over the last seven games (entering last night’s action). The Braves ‘pen has recorded a collective 2.48 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 13 saves converted and only three blown on the road this season. Take Atlanta (8*).