Will Rogers Handicapping Review & Free Picks Page

Dodgers (Knebel 0-0, ) vs. Braves (Fried, 1-0, 0.00)

Game 1 in the NL championship series matches Max Fried vs. all comers. Fried has shone this year, especially late in the season and in his magnificent start vs. the Brewers. If anyone can pitch for length vs. the Dodgers, it is he. Knebel is the named starter for the Dodgers, but it will likely be a bullpen game today. Knebel is not unfamiliar with the opener role, and was successful in it in the Dodgers’ last series. He has been highly effective as an opener/reliever this season.

A bullpen day might be alarming for any team but the Dodgers. Relievers collectively have had an ERA of 1.86 in their last 7 games. The Braves pen has also been effective, however they were facing a weak-hitting Brewers team rather than the Giants.

The Dodgers had their moment of offense vs the Giants. The Braves were stymied for the most part by the Brewers’ fine starters, but can score some runs, especially with the long ball.

I like the total in this game, and the best odds are for the first half. The Dodgers have enough options to prevent the game from getting out of hand, and Fried is as good a bet for a low total as there is. Take this game to go under in the first five.

Jets/Sharks

The Jets woefully struggled against an unlikely opponent in their first game. Look for them to settle today, and play the way that is expected of them this season. It is unlikely that Hellebuyck will struggle as he did in game one. Expect a little more order in the rebuilt defensive core. With Scheifele back in the line up , look for better results in offense and on the power play.

Evander Kane is still out and the Sharks’ aging defensive stars are another year older. Goaltending should be improved, but Hill is still unproven as a #1 starter.

I like the Jets today. The Jets, in top form, are hard to play against. The Sharks, in rebuild mode, still have much to prove this season. Jets to win outright.

Red Sox (Eovaldi, 1-0) vs. Astros (Garcia, 0-0)

The Astros are in trouble as far as starting pitching goes. Valdez was knocked out early on Friday. Their ace McCullers is injured. Garcia struggled against the White Socks, lasting only 2+ innings, and giving up 5 runs. He was 1-2 in September, although he is better at home. Can Garcia step up?

He will likely need to, as Eovaldi is the Red Sox’ hottest and most consistent pitcher. He has 2 very strong starts already with an ERA of 2.61 over 10+ innings. He has been a top performer in previous post season play. The Red Sox bullpen was very effective in the Rays series, although it was used at an unsustainable rate. Houston’s pen has struggled of late.

The Astros squandered opportunities against Sale in the early going on Friday. They cannot make the same mistakes in game 2. Both offenses are very good when facing right-handers. The Astros are a good home team, the Sox only fair on the road, but need  an away win if they are to take the series.

This is a must win game for Boston today. Look for Eovaldi to pitch for length and hold back the Astros’ bats. The Astros pen was used heavily yesterday, and I can’t see Garcia lasting long. Take the Red Sox to win outright.

Toledo @ Central Michigan 

Toledo comes into this game 3-3, but they've definitely looked solid. Although they don't habe the greatest record, the Rockets are a perfect 5-0 ATS in thier last 5 games played on the road. They've also absolutely destroyed Central Michigan in the past... 10-1 in thier last 11 games against them.

CMU is also 3-3 but they have gotten blown out by a not so strong LSU team and haven't looked great. The Chippewas come into this one only 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against opponents from inside the Mid-American conference.

With Toledo having more talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball and with Central Michigan only 2-4 ATS this season, give me Toledo.

Chelsea vs Brentford

Coming into this game, Chelsea has scored 3 goals in 3 of their last 4 games. The addition of Romelu Lukaku has made this team nearly unstoppable. After 7 matches, they have eight players with more than 2 points, including three with 4. 

Brentford has looked very solid in their first season in the EPL. With only one defeat, they've proved to everyone that they can compete. In their 7 games, they've scored atleast 2 in 4 of those. 

With both teams scoring a lot, and both looking for a huge boost in confidence, I expect a highly contested, lots of goals scored game here on Saturday. Take the OVER.

Liberty @ UL Monroe

This is a complete mismatch no matter how you look at it.

Liberty comes into this game with only the one loss (5-1) against Syracuse, but they are 17-2 in thier last 19 games dating back to last season.

Louisiana Monroe is only 2-6 in their last 6 games played at home.

The Flames have limited opponents to only 164.5 passing yards per game, while UL Monroe has given up 466 total yards per game.

Take Liberty and expect it to be one of the biggest blowouts of the day

Army @ Wisconsin

Army is 4-1 after losing to Ball State on the road by 12 points. I think the Black Knights can bounce back here though. Wisconsin enters at 2-3 after beating Illinois by 24 on the road.

But despite stumbling last week, Army still averages 34.4 PPG. QB Christian Anderson has 431 rushing yrds and five touchdowns. 

The Badgers are coming off a shutout, but note that they're just 2-8 ATS in their last ten off a SU/ATS road shutout victory in which they scored 21 or more points in. QB Graham Mertz has 781 passing yards, but only two passing TD's.

Wisconsin is also just 2-5 ATS in its last seven at home, while the Black Knights are 6-1 ATS in their last seven after scoring less than 20 points in their last game.

The Badgers only average 19.6 PPG, while Army averages 20.8. I have a hard time seeing Wisconsin pulling away.

Grab the points, the play is Army.