Dan Kaiser

Both games have ended 3-2 despite both teams firing the puck at the net. Both goalies have been outstanding so far and I don’t expect that to change. In the last five head-to-head meetings in Tampa Bay, only one game has seen more than five goals scored. The Panthers are 6-3-1 in their past 10 overall games to the under, with just eight goals allowed in their past six games. The Lightning is 4-4-2 to the under, with more than two goals scored just once in their past six.  I am looking for another tight game here as Tampa doesn’t want to make a mistake needing a win. 

Play on the UNDER. This is a 3% play.

The Nuggets have not played well in the first half of both games so far. They had to come back from 20 down in the second half of game 2 and have come back from double-digit second-half deficits in both games. The Lakers have done a good job of defending Murray and have made things difficult for him on the offensive end. The Denver Nuggets are great on the road, posting a 24-17 record on the season. Anthony Davis has been in beast mode, scoring 32 points in each game along with 25 rebounds but he needs to step up in the fourth quarter, unlike in game 2. The Lakers should have won one of the first two games and that will give them confidence going home James won’t let the Lakers get pucked and swept at home and this is the game they need to win. Play on the LA Lakers, This is a 3% play.

The New York Knicks got away with one in game 2 in more ways than one.  New York is holding Philadelphia to 43.6% shooting overall and 35.2% shooting from 3-point land. New York is also outrebounding Philadelphia. The Knicks have won two straight with their best player not playing well. Saying all that, this is a must-win game for Philadelphia and I look for them to come out angry in this one. They were stripped literally and figuratively in game 2 and will look for revenge in this one. The Sixers' defensive strategy against Brunson has worked and the Sixers have held the Knicks offense in check overall but their offense needs to be better, especially from deep. I expect Philly to shoot better from deep at home and they will play with a little extra fire early.  Philly rolls at home in this one.

Play on Philly. This is a 3% Play.

The Los Angeles Dodgers square off against the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers have won three straight and will look for their fourth by sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound. He is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Washington has played some decent baseball to start the season and has picked up some nice wins. They have lost two in a row and will look to turn things around by sending MacKenzie Gore to the mound. He is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 20.0 innings. The Dodgers have won two straight games, out-scoring their opposition 14-1 over the two-game stretch. The Dodgers have won two straight games and three of their last four road games. Gore has given up eight runs in three starts at home and the Dodgers hit well against left-handers. Yamamoto has given up seven runs in his last four starts. 

PLay on LA minus 1.5 runs. This is a 3% play.

With a day game at Wrigley, the wind is predicted to be blowing in. The Astros have seen 14 of their 22 and seven of their last ten games go under the number. Verlander should be able to limit the Cubs bats early, especially without Bellinger in the lineup. This will be the first time for the Astros hitters to face Assad. The Astros are 19th in the majors at 4.08 runs per game overall and 3.27 runs on the road. The Cubs are fifth in the majors at 5.48 runs per game overall and 6.27 runs at home. I like both pitchers over the opposing offenses and without Bellinger, the Cubs are missing a key part of the offense.

Play on the UNDER. This is a 3% play.

The Houston Astros finish off their three-game set with the Chicago Cubs at the Friendly Confines. The Astros have struggled out of the gate and have been dealing with injuries to their starting rotation. They will look to avoid a sweep by sending Justin Verlander to the mound. He is 1-0 on the season with a 3 ERA and a .67 WHIP. Chicago has gotten off to a nice start this season and will look to sweep the Astros. They will send Javier Assad to the mound for his 5th start of the season. He is 2-0 on the season with a 2.11 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Chicago has won 7 of their last 10. As good as Verlander is, I doubt he can go nine innings and the Astros bullpen has been awful, posting an ERA over 6. The Cubs are 9-3 at home and I like them to win this one.

Play on Chicago. This is a 3% play

The Philadelphia Phillies look to finish off a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have won the last two. The Phillies are putting up 4.32 runs per game. The Phillies will be going with Zack Wheeler on the mound. He is 1-3 with a 2.30 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP in 31.1 innings. In his last outing, he went 7.1 shutout innings with one hit, one hit by pitch, two walks, and eight strikeouts. The Reds are putting up 5.29 runs per game. Nick Martinez will look to extend the Reds two-game winning streak. He is 0-0 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 17.0 innings. Earlier this season, Wheeler went six innings and allowed three runs (one earned) with 10 strikeouts against the Reds. Martinez has a 5.54 ERA in 13.0 innings over three games (two starts) in his home park. Martinez has a 7.20 ERA and 1.600 WHIP as a starting pitcher this season. Philly has the better starter and a better pen. I look for them to get a split in the series. Play on Philadelphia. This is a 3% play.

The Milwaukee Brewers close out a four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Brewers will go with Freddy Peralta on the mound. He is 2-0 with a 1.90 ERA. Last time out, he went six  shutout innings. He has pitched well on the road, going 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA this season. The Pirates will go Mitch Keller on the mound. He is 2-2 with a 4.80 ERA. Last time out, he gave up four runs in six innings. He is 1-1 at home with a 4.50 ERA over 12 innings. Peralta has pitched well so far this season and should be able to find success against a struggling Pirates offense.  Keller struggled last time out and will be facing a Brewers offense that can do damage. The Brewers have Christian Yelich back in the lineup and other key players have come off the IL. I like Peralta and the Brewers at this price.

Play on Milwaukee. This is a 3% play.

Orlando is coming back home down 0-2 and in a must win situation. If there is a bright spot it is that their defense has been stellar as they have held the Cavs to under 40% from the floor. Jalen Suggs missed most of game 2 and he should be ready to go in this one. He will give them a lift on both ends of the floor. Suggs and Harris will need to slow down Mitchell and keep him form getting easy baskets. Cleveland has not been shooting well from deep and I don’t see that getting better on the road. I feel this will be a different Magic team at home and I like them to get a win in this one. 

Play on Orlando. This is a 3% play.