Will Rogers

The set-up: Yes Columbus somehow managed to dispatch the Lightning in four games in Round 1 and it comes in rested compared to Boston, which needed seven games to advance past the Leafs. But I think the extra time off will in fact be detrimental to the Blue Jackets’ momentum. Columbus was one of the best down the stretch of the regular season and that momentum got carried over vs. the Lightning, but I think it finally comes out flat here. The Bruins come in off an exhausting series, but they’ve done well against Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, as he’s just 3-8 with a 3.90 GAA lifetime vs. Boston. The Bruins were 31-14 at home and were led by Tuukka Rask, who is 15-8 with a 2.32 GAA in Boston and who is 9-6 with a 2.67 GAA lifetime vs. Columbus.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Columbus is still only 18-38 in its last 56 as a road underdog in the +110 to +150 range, while Boston is 29-11 in its last 40 as a favorite in the -150 to -200 range. Consider the home side in Game 1.

1* FREE PLAY BRUINS

The set-up: It’s a favorable matchup for Mariners’ veteran pitcher Marco Gonazles, who faces Rangers Taylor Hear, who has been recalled from Triple-A Nashville to open a four-game series in Seattle. 

The pitchers: Hearn (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA and 26 K’s over 20 innings in four starts in Nashville, having also walked ten. 

Gonzales (4-0, 3.32) has to be feeling confident here as he’s 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in five career starts vs. the Rangers. 

The pick: The Rangers are only 31-46 in their last 77 as a road dog in the +125 to +175 range, while the Mariners are already 14-8 vs. right-handed starters. Lay the price.

Seattle Mariners

10* play

The set-up: Arizona won 11-2 yesterday. This is the finale of a four-game set and I’m expecting a much better “pitchers duel” this afternoon. Pittsburgh has lost the first three of this series, getting outscored 25-7 in the process. Two experienced starters go head to head in the finale.

The pitchers: Arizona’s Zack Greinke (3-1, 4.60 ERA) who after a couple of slow starts to open the 2019 campaign, has come on like “gang busters” of late by posting four straight quality starts and posting a sharp 2.81 ERA in the process.

The home side counters with Jameson Taillon (1-2, 3.12), who like his counterpart today started the season slowly, but who has since “turned it around,” most recently going five innings in a 3-1 victory. 

The pick: Arizona has seen the total go under in 61 of its last 103 “day” games, while Pittsburgh has seen the total dip under in ten of 15 vs. right-handed starters. This number is a little high.

Pittsburgh Pirates/Arizona D-Backs UNDER

9* play

The set-up: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of these two clubs? For me it’s hard-nosed defensive play. This is a big game for both sides obviously, as a win will see the Nuggets move onto the second round, while a victory for the Spurs would then push the series to a decisive Game 7. So far Denver has averaged 108.6 PPG in this series, while allowing 103.4. They held the Spurs to 90 points last time out for a second straight win in the series and if they’re going to do it again here to end it tonight. Overall the Spurs have averaged the 103.4 PPG, while conceding 108.6. 

The pick: Will Gregg Popovich make the necessary adjustments to push this to a Game 7? I think this one sets up as a very defensive affair. Take it for what you will as well, but Denver has seen the total go under the number in eight of its last 12 after scoring 105 point or more in four straight games, while San Antonio has seen the total dip under in 19 of 29 as a home favorite. This number is a little hight.

Denver Nuggets/San Antonio Spurs UNDER

10* play

Selection: Seattle Mariners

Analysis to come. 10* play