Jim Feist

 The Orlando Magic pretty much in a must win spot if they hope to stay alive in this best of seven series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have taken the first two games, including game two 96-86 on Monday. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 23 points and Jarrett Allen added another 20. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 21 points. The Magic hope home court cooking will improve on their dismal 36% from the field and 9-of-35 from the 3-point arc. These teams split the the four regular season games so Orlando does know they can beat the Cavs, they just need to make more shots. If Suggs is healthy enough then he can control Mitchell and the home court should be buzzing tonight. The Cavs have not shot well from 3-point land in either game so that's also a positive for the Magic. Orlando is in a must win spot here today and I expect their best performance. Take Orlando.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs conclude their three-game series here on Thursday. The Cubs have taken the first two games of the series, winning Tuesday 7-2 and then last night, 4-3. The Cubs have won seven of their last 10 games and climbed to just a half game back of first place Milwaukee. The Cubs are 15-9 and have a +27 run differential. The Astros have struggled since the season started. They have lost seven of the last 10 and are stuck in last in the AL West, six-games back of the Rangers. They also have a -34 run differential. Justin Verlander will make just his second start of the season here today. Verlander is 1-0 with a 3.00 and 0.667 WHIP. He pitched six innings for the win against Washington, allowing four hits and two runs. The Cubs will send Javier Assad to the hill. Assad is 2-0 in his four starts with a 2.11 ERA and 1.031 WHIP. He has two home starts and is 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA. Assad has been very good in all four starts, not allowing more than two runs in any one start. Houston a small favorite here today and even though they have Verlander on the hill, I'm taking the Cubs who have been much better and have an equally if not better starter going today. Play Chicago.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates conclude their four game set here today early on Thursday. The Pirates have taken two of the first three games of this series winning, 4-2, 2-1 and losing last night to the Brewers, 3-2. The Brewers lead the NL Central with a 15-8 record, just a half game ahead of the Cubs. They also have a +33 run differential. The Pirates dropped their seventh game of the last 10 with the loss. They also dropped to 13-12 overall, good for fourth in the NL Central with a -1 Run differential. The Brewers will start Freddy Peralta with a 2-0 record in his four starts. He has a very good 1.90 ERA and 0.760 WHIP. He's also allowed one total run over his last two starts (12 innings) with 18 KO's and just two walks. The Pirates will start Mitch Keller. Keller is 2-2 with a 4.80 ERA and 1.467 WHIP. He's coming off a loss to the Red Sox where he went six inning and allowed five hits and four runs. The Bucs have been struggling after that fast start to the season. I'll take the first place Brewers here on Thursday.

The Western Conference 1st round matchup has the Dallas Mavericks taking on the LA Clippers in game three of their series. The venue moves to Dallas here on Friday. The series is tied 1-1 and this game holds a key for both teams as they set the tone in this series. The Clippers dominated game one back in LA, 109-97, as a 3-point dog. Then they lost game two, 93-96, as a 1.5-point favorite. The Clippers were without star Kawhi Leonard for the first two games. However, he's been upgraded to questionable. Even if Leonard doesn't go they are still loaded with offense in the form of Paul George and James Harden. The Dallas Mavericks return home but will be dealing with a host of injuries. Tim Hardaway Jr who will miss this game. The Mavs have lived and died by the 3-point shot this year and without Hardaway that will put a dent in that average. Both teams could be missing key cogs here tonight, but Leonard could play. I'll take the points with Clippers to bounce back here in game three.

 The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins begin their four game set here tonight. The Nats are coming off a three-game loss to the Dodgers at home where they were outscored 4-17 by LA. The Nationals dropped to 10-14 in the NL East but are five games ahead of last place Miami. They have a -22 run differential. Trevor Williams will start here today for the Nats with a 2-0 record in his four starts. He also has a nice 2.91 ERA and 0.970 WHIP. Williams coming off a no decision against the Astros where he went six innings and gave up just three hits and one run. Miami was swept by the Braves in their three game series, scoring just three total runs in the process and allowing 12 runs. The last place Marlins are 12.5 games back of division leading Atlanta and have a division worse -47 run differential. Only the Rockies have a worse run differential. Jesus Luzardo is 0-2 in his five starts with a 6.58 ERA and 1.423 ERA. The team is 0-3 in his home starts with a 5.87 ERA. Somehow the Marlins are around a 1.60 favorite here today. They are the worst team in the division and have a worse pitcher starting. Ok, I'll bite, give me the Nationals.

The St Louis Cardinals and NY Mets play game one of their three-game set here on Friday. The Cardinals are coming off a series vs the D'backs where they won two of three games. Still, they are slumping having lost five of their last seven games. The Cardinals are 11-14 and in last place in the NL Central, 5.5-games back of the Brewers. They also have the worst run differential in the division with a -26 number. They will send Miles Mikolas to the hill today. Mikolas has not been very good, posting a 1-3 mark in five starts and a 6.49 ERA. He's allowed 10 runs over his last 9 2/3 innings of work. The Mets salvaged the final game of a three game set at San Francisco with a 8-2 win on Wednesday. The Mets are 13-11 and in third place in the NL East, 4.5-games back of the Braves. They also have a +10 run differential. Jose Butto will toe the rubber for the Mets on Friday. Butto has no record after three starts. However, he's been very good with a 1.65 ERA and 1.041 WHIP. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his starts. Moreover, he's allowed just two total runs over his last 10 1/3 innings of work with 15 KO's and six walks. Good price on the Mets at home here today. I'll take New York in this one.