Will Rogers Handicapping Review & Free Picks Page

The set-up: The Suns entered the Bubble healthier than they've been all season and that has translated into two straight victories, but I think that Phoenix will finally stumble here vs. this "step up" in competition. The Clippers lost to the Lakers in their first game, before recovering to hammer the Pelicans 126-103 in their second. Phoenix is still 2.5 games behind the Spurs for the eighth spot with six games remaining, but the Clippers are only two games up on third-place Denver. Unfortunately for the Suns, the Clippers can't afford to take the foot off the gas either. 

The pick: Note that the Clippers are now 8-1 ATS in their last nine vs. the Western Conference, while the Suns are a poor 2-9 ATS in their last 11 in this series. I believe the Suns lack of depth on the bench gets exposed here as the game comes down the stretch. Lay the points.

This is a 10* GAME OF THE MONTH on the LA Clippers.

The set-up: No need to overthink this one, as I am not expecting any colossal upsets here or anything. The visitors hand the ball to the suspect Brady Singer (0-0, 3.60 ERA) who gave up two runs and two walks over five innings in a no-decision vs. the toothless Tigers on Thursday (both runs given up were off solo dingers.) 

The pick: Cubs' ace Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 4.05) will be eager to return to form here after allowing six runs off seven hits over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Reds on Wednesday. In his season debut Hendricks through a complete-game shutout with nine K's. Look for this Chicago veteran to return to form here and easily get the better of his younger counterpart; lay the price with confidence. 

This is an 8* BLOWOUT DESTRUCTION on the Chicago Cubs.

The set-up: Both teams have plenty of "pop" in their respective lineups, but I believe that these hungry starting pitchers will be the main story lines in tomorrow's summaries once it's all said and done. Matt Shoemaker (0-0, 1.50 ERA) who comes in extra rested after the Jays' series with the Phillies was postponed over the weekend. Shoemaker looked brilliant in his season debut, holding the Rays to one run off three hits over six frames, and I don't have any reason not to believe that the veteran won't carry that momentum over here as well.

The pick: Max Fried (1-0, 2.31) get the nod for the home side and he was even better than his counterpart in his opener, holding the Rays to one run off three hits while striking out seven over seven innings. These two pitchers already have a similar opponent and each looked brilliant (note as well that Fried was a sharp 9-3 with a 3.21 ERA at home last season as well.) This one has "duel" written all over it. Play the under.

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the UNDER Jays/Braves.

The set-up: Patrick Corbin (0-0, 1.42 ERA) had the weekend off because of the postponed series vs. the Marlins and I think that benefits the defending champs' starter. In his first start Corbin looked fantastic as well, retiring the first 11 Yankees he faced (and five via strikeout), ultimately striking out eight with no walks and just one run over seven innings in what turned out to be an unfortunate no-decision.

The pick: Steven Matz (0-1, 3.18) gets the nod for the visitors. Matz allowed three runs off eight hits with two walks over five innings in a loss to the Reds on Thursday. Matz has been consistently inconsistent with his game-to-game performance though and note that he was particular poor on the road last season, going just 3-8 with a 6.67 ERA. Look for the well rested home side to take advantage and lay this very reasonable price.

This is a 10* GAME OF THE MONTH on the Washington Nationals.

The set-up: This was a pick-em priced game and series, but the Wild dominated with a 3-0 victory in Game 1. The Canucks are a highly talented offensive squad though and I think they'll make the necessary adjustments and come out firing from start to finish in the second battle. 

The pick: Some strong trends back up this play as well, as Minnesota has interestingly seen the total fly over the number in 15 of its last 21 after a shutout victory of three or more goals, while the Canucks have seen the total go over the number in eight of their last 12 after being blanked by three or more goals in their previous outing. Expect a much faster paced affair and for this total to fly over sooner, rather than later.

This is a 10* PLAYOFF TOTAL OF THE MONTH on the OVER Wild/Canucks.