This is a 10* play on the Grizz.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it's no secret that it's in the best interest of the NBA to extend a series when one team is facing elimination. That's particularly true when the game is officiated by Scott Foster. Teams facing elimination are 20-5 in such games that he's called in his career. As of now (Tuesday night), there is no guarantee Foster will be the crew chief for this game. Regardless, expect the Grizzlies to get the benefit of the doubt, and a few favorable calls. When it was announced that Ja Morant will not play Game 5, the line moved 2.5 points. Of course Morant didn't play Game 4 in Golden State and that game went right down to the wire. Memphis is now 20-6 straight up in games without Morant this season. The Warriors are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings in Memphis, and the Grizzlies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a home underdog. I'll take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Colorado.

The Giants have won the first two games of this series by a combined score of 17-7, but the pitching matchup in Game 3 favors the Rockies.

Chad Kuhl will toe the rubber for the Rockies, and he's been dealing in 2022. Kuhl (3-0, 1.82 ERA) allowed one run on three hits, fanning five in six innings in no decision at Arizona his last time out.

The Giants hand the ball to Alex Cobb, who hasn't missed many bats lately. Cobb (1-1, 4,80 ERA) has allowed seven runs on seven hits in six innings in his last two starts.

The Rockies lead the major leagues in team batting average.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Oliveira.

Charles Oliveira has won 10 straight fights, and impressive fashion. His last three wins came against Poirier, Chandler and Ferguson. He finished nine of his last 10 opponents, with only Ferguson going the distance. I liked Oliveira before the weigh in, and after he missed weight the money has been flowing in steady on Gaethje. I did a little digging, and since the UFC introduced its early weigh-in procedures in June 2016, betting favorites who missed weight went on to win at a rate of 76.2%. Oliveira didn't look any worse for wear at the weigh in, so I don't expect it to impact the fight a great deal.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on Minnesota.

The Wild come into the post-season as perhaps the hottest team in the NHL. They won 19 of their last 26 regular season games. They made some big moves at the trade deadline, adding a veteran netminder with three Stanley Cup rings and a Vezina Trophy. Fleury is 9-2 with a 2.74 GAA since joining the Wild. While Minnesota has a proven playoff performer, the Blues turn to Ville Husso, who had an outstanding regular season. The 27 year old lacks Playoff experience. The Blues are 0-6 in their last six playoff games as an underdog, and the Wild are 51-16 in their last 67 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Real Madrid +1.5.

Manchester City has no business being such a big favorite here in the first leg of this Champions League tie. While City is under heavy pressure in a heated Premier League battle with Liverpool, Madrid is on the verge of clinching another La Liga title. Karim Benzema looks like the best player in the world at the moment, with a dozen goals in nine matches in Champions League play. Manchester City has injury concerns that might cause Gabriel Jesus to play out of position at right back. We expect a cautious approach from both teams, and a draw seems like a likely result. Only once in the last five head to head meetings has either of these teams won by more than one goal.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Seattle.

The Mariners took two of three in a home series versus Houton, and they look good with their ace on the mound in Game 1 of a home series versus Texas.

Robbie Ray (1-1, 4,73 ERA) allowed one run on three hits, striking out five in seven innings in a win at Minnesota in his season debut. The Rangers lineup has hit a combined .082 over 76 at bats versus Ray.

Texas will hand the ball to Jon Gray, who allowed three runs on three hits and a pair of walks in four innings in his season debut in Toronto.

The Rangers are 7-23 in the last 30 meetings in Seattle.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Houston.

The Astros are off to a hot start, winning three of four in LA. They will be a favorite in Game 1 in Arizona, but I think the price should be far higher.

Madison Bumgarner will toe the slab for the D'Backs, and he didn't look sharp in his season debut. He only went three innings, allowing one run on a hit and four walks in a no decision versus San Diego.

The Astros hand the ball to Luis Garcia, who was stellar in his rookie season. He was 11-8 with a 3.30 ERA in 30 starts last year. He looked sharp in the Spring, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out six in his only start.

The Diamondbacks are 5-14 in their last 19 home games, and they are 18-40 in their last 58 games as a home underdog.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on UNC.

Here is what I said prior to the Tar Heels Final Four win: "Duke will be the favorite in their Final Four matchup versus North Carolina, and the question is how much better than the Tar Heels is this team. They finished with one more win in the ACC, and they both got eliminated by Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels upset Duke in Coach K's final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and they have been lighting it up in the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina ranked second in the ACC with a three-point percentage of .385, and the Tar Heels ranked first in the conference in free throw shooting hitting over 77%." As good as Kansas is, they aren't unbeatable. They had their hands full with Creighton and Providence in the tournament, and it seems like a big ask to cover and handful of points here in the Final. 

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Both the Jayhawks and the Wildcats have been outstanding defensively in the Tournament. Kansas has held it's last five opponents to an average of just 60.8 points per game, while Villanova has allowed just 53.6 points per game over their last five. Here in the Final Four the stakes are high, so don't expect either team to waste any time cranking up the defensive intensity. The under is 8-1 in the Wildcats last nine neutral site games, and they have failed to reach the total in four of their last five at the NCAA Tournament. The under is 7-3 in the Jayhawks last 10 overall, and they have also failed to reach the total in four of their last five NCAA Tournament games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Cougars are coming off a 68-53 win over Illinois, and I expect another low score here in the Sweet-16. Arizona has scored 80+ points in eight straight, but they are going to find it tough sledding here against a Cougars defense that has allowed just 59.2 points per game over their last five. The under is 6-2-1 in Cougars last nine overall, and they have failed to reach the total in 14 of their last 20 as an underdog. I am predicting a final score of 76-67.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Providence.

The Friars finished first in the Big East this season with a 14-3 record, half a game ahead of Villanova. The Wildcats are favored by 15 in their first round matchup versus a 15 seed. The Friars are just a slight favorite here against 12 seed Richmond. The Spiders weren't even in the top five in the A-10 this season, but they got hot at the right time and won a close game versus Davidson in the Conference Tournament Final. As well as the Spiders are playing, I believe this line is a product of recency bias. Richmond ranked dead last in the A-10 in rebounds per game, and they weren't a particularly good shooting team. They can muddy it up and play strong defense all they want, but that's not going to be anything new for a Providence team that plays Villanova twice a year. Richmond is the Cinderella, but the clock might strike midnight here and the carriage could turn into a pumpkin.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on MTL.

A coaching change can completely turn around a hockey club. It was just three years ago that the St. Louis Blues replaced head coach Mike Yeo, and went from last place to first place and on to win the Stanley Cup. We've seen Bruce Boudreau inspire the Vancouver Canucks to a record of 20-8-4, putting them back in the hunt for the playoffs. Montreal has also turned things around with seven wins in their last nine games under new head coach Martin St. Louis. The Kraken have lost 10 of their last 11 overall, and they are looking forward to a lottery pick in the draft.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Wyoming.

The Cowboys were in first place in the Mountain West a couple weeks ago, but after losing four of their last six overall they sit in fourth. So what happened? Well they had a tough schedule, facing Colorado State and UNLV on the road, and losing a close home game against long time Mountain West powerhouse San Diego State. They are still 15-1 at home, with the only loss coming to the Aztecs. They beat Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State at home, and tonight's game against Fresno State will be their final home game. The Bulldogs have lost five of their last seven, and they have failed to cover in six of their last seven versus teams with a winning record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

The Nets might be favorites to win the Eastern Conference with a Big 3 of KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons, but none of them will be in the lineup tonight in Toronto. The only healthy starter for the Nets will be Seth Curry, who has spent the majority of his career coming off the bench. The Nets lost at home last night to the Raptors by 36 points, and traveling north of the border 24 hours later isn't likely to yield a better result. The Raptors are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Calgary.

The Flames were the hottest team in the NHL until they lost 7-1 at Vancouver. They are back home tonight, looking to get that awful taste out of their mouths. The Minnesota Wild are playing their fourth game on this road trip, and they have lost four of their last five overall. The Flames are 10-1 in their last 11 home games, while the Wild have lost four of their last five on the road. The Flames have won five of the last seven head to head meetings, and they are likely to scorch the Wild here tonight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CAL.

The Kraken sit dead last in the Pacific Division with a record of 16-30-4, and I have been fading them since December. I noted that the bookmakers are giving them too much respect, and I hypothesized that the success of the Vegas Golden Knights as an expansion team has skewed people's idea of what should be expected from an expansion team. If you look at other last place teams in the NHL (Arizona, New Jersey, Montreal), you will notice that the odds to bet against them are far higher. The Flames have won eight straight, and they have won by 2+ goals in six straight games. Calgary ranks 1st in the NHL in goals against, and they have one of the league's top penalty killing units.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Boise State.

Boise State sits at the top of the Mountain West, with just a half game lead over Wyoming. They have a home game against Utah State Saturday, and I like the Broncos to win big. The Broncos have won four of the last five meetings versus the Aggies, and Utah State has struggled on the road this season. The Aggies are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight road games, and they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games following a straight up loss. Utah State has covered in just one of their last five games overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on HOU.

The Rockets will be an underdog in San Antonio Friday, and they catch the Spurs on the back end of a back to back. The Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a road underdog, and the road team has won four of the last five meetings outright. The Spurs have failed to cover in five of their last six home games, and they have just three wins in their last 12 games overall. Three starters missed last night's game against Miami, and the Spurs are in rough shape considering Houston is as healthy as anyone right now. Christian Wood has scored 20+ points in three straight games, and alongside Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, the Rockets are not short on young talent.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CWM.

It's been a tough year for The College of William and Mary, but this team has been historically tough at home. The Charleston Cougars know that well, as the home team has won 10 straight in the last 10 head to head meetings. These teams played at Charleston at the end of January and the Cougars won by a score of 74-73. The Tribe have covered in five straight overall, and they are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog. The Cougars are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite. I don't just think the Tribe cover the spread, I fully expect them to win this game outright.

GL,

Jesse Schule

DO NOT PLAY **ERROR**

This is a 10* play on Over.

There are only three teams in the Premier League that have scored 30 or more goals as well as conceded 30 or more goals. Two of those teams will play each other on Saturday when Manchester United hosts West Ham United. The Hammers have scored two or more goals in each of their last five matches, and they have scored 41 goals in 22 matches in the Premier League this season. These two teams are fighting for a spot in the Champions League, and we should see an exciting game with both teams scoring here at Old Trafford.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Texas Tech.

The Cyclones won 51-47 at home versus Texas Tech just before Christmas, and I was fortunate that I got a good line. Many people would have pushed or lost depending on when they played that game. One of the reasons I decided to bet against Texas Tech in that spot, was that they were missing leading scorer Terrance Shannon. He played 18 minutes in a loss to Kansas State over the weekend, and he should be ready to take on more minutes here in a revenge game against the Cyclones. Texas Tech is 10-0 at home, and the Cyclones have lost two of three on the road. The Red Raiders are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 home games, and they won their last home game against Iowa State by 27 points. This smells like a double digit win for the Red Raiders.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Sun Devils host Utah Monday, and historically these teams have been involved in high scoring games. They have gone over in five straight head to head meetings, but a dark cloud hangs over both these teams at the moment. Arizona State has struggled without Marcus Bagley, ranking 391st nationally scoring just 62.6 points per game. They come into tonight's game averaging just 59.4 points per game in their last five overall. Utah hasn't been much better, averaging 67 points per game in their last five overall. The Sun Devils have gone under in five straight overall, and the under is 10-1 in their last 11 home games. They shot just 33 percent from the field in a home loss to Colorado in their last game, and they rank last in the PAC12 with a FG percentage of .385 on the season.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* GOY play on Under.

The Cowboys have looked like Super Bowl favorites at times, but they haven't been at their best lately. Don't be fooled by their big win over the Eagles, in a game that Philly rested all their starters. Perhaps a more accurate indicator would be their home loss to Arizona a week earlier. They host a San Francisco team that poses a similar challenge. The Niners are going to try to punch the Cowboys in the mouth. What that means is, they will look to run the ball and control the clock, keeping the ball out of the hands of Dak Prescott. The Niners have failed to reach the total in five of their last six playoff games. The under is 8-3 in the Cowboys last 11 games overall, and Dallas is 1-5 ATS in their last six playoff games. The total for this contest is higher than it had been in each of the last six head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

10*

This is a 10* play on UGA. 

This line opened far too low, because the bookmakers know that it's hard to talk the public into betting against Alabama. The Tide really shouldn't be expected to compete here against a Bulldogs team that has steamrolled everything in front of them. This Alabama team just barely beat LSU, Arkansas and Auburn in their last three SEC games. If you take away the name “Alabama”, and just judge them based on their resume this season, they might as well be Florida. The Bulldogs beat the Gators by 27 points. Georgia should win this game by double digits. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

1

This is a 10* play on Hamilton.

Montreal had a chance to secure home field for this game, but they lost at home to a last place team with a rookie QB, and now they will visit Hamilton. Home field could be quite significant here, as there are few places tougher to play than Steel Town. The iger-Cats are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 home games, and they have covered in five straight home playoff games. The Als most dangerous weapon on offense is RB William Stanback, but he matches up against a Ticats run defense that ranks 1st in the CFL allowing just 79.6 rushing yards per game, and a league low 4.2 yards per carry. Jeremiah Masoli finished the season strong after missing four games, and ranked second in the CFL in yards per attempt (9). The Als picked up Trevor Harris after the injury to Vernon Adams, and Harris has played well, but it's still a downgrade.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Hamilton.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have already clinched a playoff spot, so they will not have the majority of their offensive starters on the field when they visit Hamilton Saturday. The Tigercats have also clinched a playoff spot, but they still have a chance to lock up home field advantage. This should be quite a mismatch with Hamilton's starters going up against the Riders backups. The Tiger-Cats are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games as a home favorite, and they are 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over 2.5.

Brighton Hove Albion is coming off a pair of 2-2 games against Premier League powerhouses Liverpool and Leicester. They host Newcastle today, and they have won their last two versus Newcastle by a combined score of 6-0. Newcastle has conceded 23 goals in 10 matches so far this season, only Norwich has conceded more. The good news for Newcastle is that they have only been held scoreless in one of their last eight matches, scoring nine goals during that span. Expect a high score here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10*  play on Iowa.

Just two weeks ago Iowa was #2 in the polls, and looking like the favorite to win the BIG10. After losing 24-7 at home to Purdue, they are an underdog on the road at Wisconsin two weeks later. Keep in mind that their loss to Purdue was partially explained by turnovers (4). Normally the Hawkeyes win the turnover battle, and perhaps coming off a bye week will give them a better chance to do that here in Wisconsin. The Badgers are coming off a blowout win over Purdue, again explained by turnovers (5). There is no doubt that the results of each of these team's last game is having an impact on this line, which appears to a be a classic case of recency bias. This game should probably be closer to a pickem. I'll take the points with the Hawkeyes.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Houston.

The Braves take on the Astros in Game 1 of the World Series, and the series opener could be a pitcher's duel.

Framber Valez will toe the slab for Houston, and he was lights out in his last start. He allowed one run on three hits while striking out five in eight innings in Game 5 versus Boston.

The Braves hand the ball to Charlie Morton, who has not been perfect but he's given Atlanta a chance to win in each of his starts this post-season. He's allowed two runs in each of his three starts.

The Braves are 3-11 in their last 14 interleague games versus a left-handed starter, and the under is 7-3 in the last 10 head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

My top play last week was on the over in Calgary's win at B.C., and here is what I said about that game: "It's no secret that scoring is down in the CFL this season, and perhaps that can be explained by almost a two year layoff. The bookmakers have been offering lower numbers every week, and I think this presents an opportunity to capitalize on an over-correction. Here in this game both QBs are former league MVPs (MOP). Both teams come in averaging over 23 points per game, even though both these star QBs missed time early in the season. This is by far the lowest total in the previous 10 head to head meetings between these teams, and the average total was over 50." I expect a similar result here this week with Calgary hosting Saskatchewan.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

It's no secret that scoring is down in the CFL this season, and perhaps that can be explained by almost a two year layoff. The bookmakers have been offering lower numbers every week, and I think this presents an opportunity to capitalize on an over-correction. Here in this game both QBs are former league MVPs (MOP). Both teams come in averaging over 23 points per game, even though both these star QBs missed time early in the season. This is by far the lowest total in the previous 10 head to head meetings between these teams, and the average total was over 50.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Rams.

The Cardinals are undefeated, and Kyler Murray has been playing like an MVP candidate. This week looks like a tough spot for both Arizona and QB Kyler Murray, on the road at the Rams who ranks 1st in scoring defense and first against the pass allowing just 190 yards per game last season. Murray has really struggled against the Rams, throwing for 4TDs and 4 INTs in four career starts against them. The Rams won all four of those games, and the Rams are 9-1 straight up and 8-1-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings. The under is 13-3 in Cardinals last 16 road games, and Arizona has failed to cover in five straight versus a team with a winning record. The Rams are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games as a home favorite, and the under is 13-3 in Rams last 16 games as a home favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Under.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers, otherwise known as "Wolves", will host Newcastle United on Saturday, and we shouldn't expect to see a high score here. Newcastle is coming off consecutive 1-1 draws, while Wolves has gone under in four of their last five matches in all competitions. Goals have been few and far between for Wolves, scoring in just three of their six matches. The good news is that they have only conceded five goals in those games. History paints a pretty clear pitcture, as the last four head to head meetings all ended with the same score (1-1 draw).

GL,

Jesse Schule

1

This is a 7* play on LA.

The Bucs are heavy favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions, and many are talking about a possible perfect regular season. They could be a favorite in every single game they play this season, but this game here in LA is the one spot on the schedule that could give them trouble. The Rams are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss, and they are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games in September. If anyone is going to get Tom Brady off his game, it would be Aaron Donald and the LA defense that has three INTs in the first two weeks.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Chelsea.

Chelsea sits in a first place tie with Liverpool, and they host fifth place Manchester City on Saturday. While City are defending champions, they failed to land a striker this summer, while rivals Chelsea and Manchester United signed the likes of Lukaku and Ronaldo. Manchester City was fortunate to come away with a draw at home versus Southampton last weekend, and they could be in trouble here at Stamford Bridge. The last time these teams played head to head was in the Champions League Final, and Chelsea won that game 1-0. Chelsea has won three straight versus City, posting a clean sheet in two of those wins.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over 2.5.

Two of the top teams in the Premier League will meet in London on Sunday, and I expect to see plenty of scoring when the Hammers host the Red Devils. West Ham has not lost in four Premier League matches so far, and they have scored 10 goals in those games. Manchester United has scored 11 goals in four matches, settling for three wins and a draw. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle in his Red Devils debut (2nd stint), and he's sure to find the net here in London. Manchester United won 3-1 the last time they played at West Ham.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Winnipeg.

I had the Bombers in their win over the Riders last week, and here is what I said before kickoff: "The Bombers won big at Saksatchewan in the Labour Day Classic, and they look good as a pickem in the rematch just five days later. Cody Fajardo took a beating in the loss, throwing for 211 yards and three INTs on 23-of-39 passing. The Blue Bombers are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 home games, and they are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as a home favorite. They have covered in six of their last seven versus Saskatchewan." They are taking on Edmonton who will miss starting QB Trevor Harris, who was the CFL's leading passer. The Elks are 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 versus a team with a winning record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Under.

The Auburn Tigers will play on the road at Penn State in what figures to be the toughest test they have had in quite a while. The Nittany Lions are heavily favored, but I am expecting a close, low scoring game. The under is 15-6 in the Tigers last 21 games as an underdog, and they have failed to reach the total in six of their last seven road games. Penn State has gone under in five of their last seven versus SEC teams. The Nittany Lions defense looked sharp in a 16-10 upset win at Wisconsin in Week 1. They held the Badgers under 200 passing yards and forced a pair of INTs.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Rams had the NFL's #1 ranked scoring defense last season, while the Bears ranked #1 in scoring defense back in 2018. We should expect a low score here on Sunday night. The Rams brought in Matt Stafford, and he brings high expectations of an improved offense. The Rams offense has struggled since Todd Gurley left, and their current stable of running backs looks a bit lackluster with Cam Akers out and Darrell Henderson banged up. The Bears are trotting out Andy Dalton at QB in Week 1, and that looks like a recipe for disaster against this Rams pass rush. The under is 13-5 in the Bears last 18 games as a road underdog, and the under is 14-3 in the Rams last 17 home games. These teams have failed to reach the total in six of the last eight head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

The Yankees have split the first two games of this series versus the Mets, and both games saw double digit totals. Game 3 goes tonight, and I expect another slugfest.

The Yankees send a rookie to the mound. The Yankees recalled Schmidt from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

The Mets hand the ball to Carlos Carrasco, who has been lit up in recent starts. He's 1-2 with a 5.55 ERA in his last five starts.

The over is 6-1-1 in the last eight head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over 2.5.

Arsenal sits dead last in the Premier League table, and coach Mikel Arteta is on the hot seat. They host Norwich City, and these teams have a history of playing high scoring games. Both clubs are winless in the Premier League with a -9 goal differential, and both teams won by a score of 6-0 in their respective Carabao Cup matches against Championship clubs. I wouldn't fancy either of these teams to post a clean sheet, and I expect a high score here in London. The last three head to head meetings all went over the total.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Clemson.

The Georgia Bulldogs finished last season strong after making a change at QB, and they are expecting to have a big year with JT Daniels as the starter. Daniels threw for over 1200 yards, 10 TDs and just two INTs while winning the last three games of the regular season, then won a close game in the Peach Bowl versus Cincinnati. He didn't see any Top 10 ranked teams last year, and Clemson is considered by many to be the favorite heading into 2021. D.J. Uiagalelei takes over for Trevor Lawrence, and the Tigers offense didn't miss a beat in the two games he started last year. He could have an improved offensive line, and with 10 starters back on defense the Tigers have the peices in place to win another National Championship. Last year Mac Jones and Kyle Trask each lit up the Georgia secondary each throwing for over 400 yards. Uiagalelei might do the same here in Week 1, handing the Dawgs a loss in their opener.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

The Houston Astros rank first in the majors in batting average, and second in runs scored. We might see plenty of scoring here in Seattle in Game 2.

Yusei Kikuchi will toe the slab for Seattle, and he's been lit up this season when facing Houston. He's 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four starts versus the Astros this season.

The Astros hand the ball to Lance McCullers, who is facing Seattle for the second time in 10 days. He's 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two previous starts versus the Mariners this season.

These teams have gone over in six of the last seven head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Chelsea.

Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League last season, but they won the Champions League Final versus Manchester City. They were a different team after Thomas Tuchel took over for Frank Lampard. They went on a spending spree last summer, and have since added more big names ahead of this season. The likes of Werner and Havertz should be better in their second year at the club, while Romelu Lukaka is a familiar face in the Premier League. Arsenal is a bit of a mess, and they aren't at a level that would allow them to compete with the top five clubs in the league. The Gunners haven't won in five matches, and they have only scored once in their last three matches.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Colorado.

The Rockies have won 42 games in Colorado, tied with San Francisco for the most home wins in the National League. They are just a small favorite against Arizona tonight, despite a favorable pitching matchup.

Kyle Freeland will toe the rubber for the Rockies, and he's been sharp in recent starts. The southpaw is 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA in his last five starts.

The D'Backs hand the ball to Zac Gallen, who has lost four of his last five starts. He's 0-3 with a 7.09 ERA in those games.

The Diamondbacks are 12-40 in their last 52 games as a road underdog, and they have lost five straight in Colorado.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

After eight of the first nine games in the CFL this season went under the total, the bookmakers have made adjustments. The result is low numbers that are a product of recency bias. I believe thats' the case here in Toronto, as the Argos host the defending champs. A change at quarterback could spark the Argos offense, and keep in mind that Nick Arbuckle was expected to be the starter heading into this season. The Bombers are 2-0, and their offense is already firing on all cylinders. These teams have gone over in eight of the last nine meetings, and four straight in Toronto.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Italy.

England fans fancy their team as the favorites to win the Euro, but perhaps Graeme Souness said it best:

"If I was Gareth Southgate, sitting down to write his Russia 2018 report for the FA, then top of my notepad would be the following – never allow that song, 'Football's Coming Home', to be played again during a major tournament," declared Souness.

"Football's coming home, is it? So, England effectively own the sport. I don't think so.

"They didn't have a monopoly on it when their teams and the FA were big players in the global power game back in the last century, and they don't now."

Their win over Denmark was a result of a controversial penalty that Kane missed, but had the good fortune to score on the rebound. All the pressure is on the English here in the Final, and they are up against an Italian side that is unbeaten in their last 33 matches.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on England.

Denmark takes on England in the Euro Semifinal, and the Danes will be playing the roll of Cinderella. Denmark is coming off a win over the Czech Republic, a match that they were favored to win, while England is coming off a 4-0 win over the Ukraine. The Three Lions still haven't conceded a goal in this tournament, and that bodes well here against the Danes. Denmark did win their last game against England 1-0 in 2020. England had two players sent off with red cards, and played the majority of that game with 10 men. The Three Lions were 3-0-1 in the previous four versus Denmark. Harry Kane got off to a slow start at the Euros, but he's found his form here in the last few games. I like England to cruise into the Finals with a decisive victory.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Seattle.

The Mariners have won eight of their last 10 home games, and they are just a small favorite in Game 2 versus Texas. The Rangers are just 12-29 on the road this season.

Marco Gonzales will toe the slab for Seattle, and he's coming off a couple solid starts. The southpaw has allowed five runs while striking out 11 batters in 11 1/3 innings in home wins over the Rays and Twins in his last two starts.

The Rangers hand the ball to Jordan Lyles, who is just 1-4 with a 5.10 ERA in eight starts on the road.

The Rangers are 3-9 in their last 12 games versus a left-handed starter.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the TB Lightning. 

The Lightning had a 2-0 lead in an elimination game in New York in Game 6, but the Islanders battled back to force a Game 7. Tampa hasn't lost back to back games in these playoffs, and they appear destined to prevail in Game 7, giving them a chance at repeating as Stanley Cup Champions. The Islanders are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings in Tampa Bay, and the Lightning are 47-19 in their last 66 home games. The officiating has been well below average in the 2021 playoffs, and the missed call favored the home team in Game 6. Nikita Kucherov suffered a serious injury from a crosscheck that went unpunished. As much as the Bolts will miss Kucherov, they have plenty of depth on offense. If the officials are going to be biased here, I expect that it would once again favor the home team. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

Arizona has lost 17 in a row, and they rank 30th in the major leagues with a team ERA of 5.36. I expect to see plenty of scoring in Game 1 versus Milwaukee.

Brett Anderson will toe the slab for the Brewers, and he hasn't has much success against Arizona. The D'Backs lineup is hitting a combined .301 over 64 at bats against him.

The D'Backs hand the ball to Merrill Kelly, who has lost five straight starts. Kelly allowed five runs on six hits in six innings in a loss to the Brewers earlier this season.

Milwaukee is batting a combined .395 over 39 at bats versus Kelly. Scoring is up in a big way since the new restrictions on sticky substances for pitchers. On Saturday 11 of 16 games saw combined scores in double digits.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Brooklyn.

It was almost a month ago now that I published an article titled: "Why The Nets Won't Win The Title in 2021". Here is an excerpt: "Having the best players is only an advantage if they can stay healthy, and that’s asking a lot for a group that has only managed to play eight games together this season. KD is returning from an Achilles injury, Kyrie has been injury prone the majority of his career, and Harden is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. All three players have a reputation for creating drama in a locker room. KD had his issues with Draymond, Harden burned all his bridges in Houston on his way out the door, and there was no love lost between LeBron and Kyrie in the final days in Cleveland. The folks in Boston don’t speak highly of Kyrie either." I still don't think Brooklyn is in great shape as far as winning the championship, but KD is still the best player in this series, and James Harden has improved with each game back. Home court, and a healthier Harden might be too much for the Bucks in Game 7.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Ukraine.

A 3-2 loss to Netherlands in their opening match was actually quite an impressive result for Ukraine. After going down early, they battled back to draw even at 2-2. Even though they lost on a late goal, the two goals will put them in good standing to advance from the first round. Northern Macedonia lost their first match by a score of 3-1, and they are likely over their heads in this tournament. Not only is Northern Macedonia 0-1-2 in their last three matches versus Ukraine, but they didn't score a single goal in those matches.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on England.

The Three Lions come into the Euros hoping to avenge a disappointing loss to Croatia in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup. England has won five straight matches heading into the tournament, and they won their last match versus Croatia by a score of 2-1 back in 2018. Croatia hasn't look good at all in recent matches leading up to the tournament. They are 2-1-2 in their last five matches, with losses to Belgium and Slovenia, and a draw against Armenia. England on their home soil, should be able to get a win here over Croatia team that isn't on top form.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Montreal.

I had the Habs in Game 2, and here is what I said before the game: "The Habs dominated Game 1 of this series, and much of the credit will go to Carey Price who stopped 27-of-30 shots. Price is the best goaltender in the world, and he did steal a few games in the series versus Toronto. A convincing win for Montreal was overshadowed by an injury to rookie Jake Evans, which resulted in a suspension for Mark Scheifele. The Jets could have a hard time replacing their leading scorer. The Jets are 0-6 in their last six playoff games as a favorite, while the Habs have won four straight as an underdog. I think the bookmakers have the wrong team favored here in Game 2."

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

I bet on the Clippers to win the West, so needless to say I didn't expect them to be down 0-2 in this series versus Dallas. So now I have to figure out where I went wrong? Well there are two things that stand out, one that I should have considered, and another woud have been impossible to predict. I noted that Paul George really looked like he was on top of his game heading into the playoffs, but the fact is that this isn't the first time we've seen him struggle in the post-season. He's forcing up some pretty questionable shots for a guy that currently can't hit the broadside of a barn. The Mavs three-point shooting (roughly 50 percent in the series so far) isn't something that anyone could have predicted. They can't maintain that percentage forever, and eventually those shots will stat rimming out and falling short. Paul George simply needs to be realistic about who he is, and try to be more like Ben Simmons and less like Michael Jordan. At the end of the day, I still think Kawhi is the best player in this series, and I expect LA to run the table now that they have seized the momentum.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

The Western Conference is wide open heading into the playoffs. The defending champion LA Lakers are still the favorite, despite facing a play-in situation versus the red hot Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry has played at an MVP caliber all season long, while LeBron has been in and out of the lineup, and doesn't appear to be 100 percent healthy.

The Utah Jazz finished first in the standings, and the Phoenix Suns were only one game back. Neither of those teams is getting much respect from bookmakers, who give them the third and fourth best chance to win the West.

The media was buzzing when LeBron James was quoted a few weeks ago as saying: "I don't think i'll ever get back to 100% in my career." While I believe that was mostly clickbait, I do think he's already looking for an excuse if he fails to get out of the first round, or gets bounced by the Warriors in the play-in.

The Clippers are guilty of tanking in their final few games, a strategic move to avoid facing the Lakers until the Western Conference Final. Kawhi Leonard has had a pretty quiet season, but he has a history of elevating his game in the playoffs. He's also been perhaps the only player in the league to get the better of LeBron James.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Oilers -1.5.

I had Edmonton on Thursday, and they were blown out in a home loss to the Canucks. This sets up a big revenge spot for the superior Oilers in a nationally televised game on Hockey Night in Canada. Here is what I had to say on Thursday: "The Canucks have been dealt a tough hand this season, even more so than the rest of the league. While it's been tough for everyone playing through a pandemic, Vancouver had to shut down when the entire team came down with Covid, and now they are forced to make up those games by playing almost every day. They will play their sixth game in eight days tonight in Edmonton, and to add insult to injury their first line center will not play while under investigation for sexual assault. Vancouver has lost six straight, and five straight by at least two goals. Edmonton is just six point out of first place in the North Division, so this looks like it could be another blowout."

GL,

Jesse Schule

5*

This is a 10* play on Oakland.

The A's lost six straight to start the season, but have since won five of six. They host the Tigers tonight, and I like Oakland in Game 1.

Sean Manaea will toe the slab for Oakland, and he's coming off a solid start. Manaea (0-1, 5.06 ERA) allowed one run on six hits over six innings in a 6-2 win at Houston his last time out.

The Tigers hand the ball to Tarik Skubal, who was hammered in his last start. Skubal (0-1, 7.71 ERA) allowed six runs on five hits and three walks in four innings in an 11-3 loss at Cleveland his last time out.

The Tigers are 1-7 in the last eight meetings in Oakland, and they are 5-21 in the last 26 head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Both Gonzaga and UCLA hit over 57 percent from the field in the Final Four, but we can't expect that efficiency to continue here in the Final versus Baylor. The Bears are far better defensively than any of Gonzaga's previous opponents, and buckets will not be easy to come by. The total here is sky high, despite three of the last four head to head meetings falling below 155 points. Tonight's total is 10 points higher than in any of the previous four head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Chisox.

The Sox have lost two of three in this season opening series in LA, but I like their chances of earning a split.

Shohei Ohtani will toe the slab for the Halos, and he has struggled as a pitcher so far in his MLB career. He was 0-3 with a 12.19 ERA in four appearances this spring.

The Sox hand the ball to Dylan Cease, who was 5-4 with a 4.01 ERA last season. He was 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA in five home starts.

The Angels are 3-13 in their last 16 Sunday games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

The Clippers have won five straight home games, and Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in a 122-112 win over the Sixers Saturday. The Bucks are coming off back to back losses, and Giannis has been struggling with a knee injury. The "Greek Freak" had failed to score 20 points in his last two starts, and did not play in Saturday's loss to New York. The Bucks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games, and they are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall. The Bucks are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Petr Yan.

Yan comes in with a record of 15-1, and the one blemish on his record came by split decision back in 2016. He's since won 10 consecutive fights, five of those by KO. Aljamain Sterling has won five fights since his last loss in 2017, all of those wins coming by decision or submission. He hasn't faced anyone as accomplished as Yan, and I think he may be coming in a little overrated. With over seven months to train, Yan should be at his best, and superior striking ability should allow him to punish Sterling if he fails in take down attempts.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Everton.

It should come as no surprise that Everton has returned to form. They got off to a hot start this season, before enduring a tough stretch of mediocrity. They come into this home match versus Fulham with points in four of their last five matches. They earned a spirited draw at Old Trafford last weekend, and then they won a thriller by a score of 5-4 over Tottenham in the FA Cup mid week. While they will miss their top goal scorer, they still have superior quality in the ranks in comparison to their opponent. "We have back Andre Gomes, James, Josh King, and in the next week we think Allan will be back, so the squad is ready for the next games," Ancelotti said.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Alabama.

The Crimson Tide are undefeated in the SEC, and they spanked LSU by a score of 105-75 in Baton Rouge a few weeks ago. After losing by 30 points at home, you might figure this would be a revenge spot for the Tigers. They might not have a lot of fight in them though, losing their leading rebounder Darius Days to a knee injury in a loss to Texas Tech. Day played 21 minutes in Sunday's game, scoring 11 points and pulling in nine rebounds before suffering a knee injury that will keep him out for at least a month. LSU has lost three of their last four overall, and they are 2-5 ATS in their last seven on the road. The Crimson Tide are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall, and they have covered in five of their last six at home. This should be a double digit win for the Tide.

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Clemson.

The Tigers have lost four of their last five, but three of those losses came on the road. The other was a home loss to first place Virginia, the defending national champions. The Tar Heels on the other hand have won six of seven, but four of those wins came at home. None of those six wins came against teams with a winning record in the ACC. Historically these teams have played close games in recent seasons, and last year Clemson won 79-76 in overtime at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels last win at Clemson came by just two points, and their previous win at Clemson (2015) came in overtime by three points. The Tigers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Winnipeg.

The Canucks head to Winnipeg off a six game home stand. They are 5-5 overall and four of their five wins came against teams with a losing record. They have lost three of four road games so far, and they are 1-10 in their last 11 games in Winnipeg. They are just 2-14 in the last 16 head to head meetings. The Jets are a strong home team, they are 13-3 in their last 16 games as a home favorite. The Jets are 16-5 in their last 21 games as a favorite. I'll take the short price on the home favorite given the history.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on Over 2.5.

Arsenal has struggled of late, losing back to back games by a combined score of 6-2. They will be tested here on Boxing Day, hosting a Chelsea team that has scored 29 goals in just 14 matches. These teams have a history of playing high scoring games, with each of the last four meetings going over the total. Chelsea has the second best goal differential in the Premier League (+15).

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

Hawaii and Houston are each very capable of scoring points, but both teams have allowed opponents to average more than they have scored. We should expect plenty of scoring in this Christmas Eve Bowl game. The over is 9-1 in the Rainbow Warriors last 10 games on grass, and the over is 4-1 in the Rainbow Warriors last five Bowl games. The Cougars have gone over in five of their last six Bowl games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Florida.

After the Gators lost to LSU last week, nobody is giving them a chance here in the SEC Championship against Alabama. It was obvious that the Gators were not prepared last week, probably already looking ahead to this game. I expect them to be better this week, and I think that this is a team well designed to cause problems for Alabama. If you look at the teams that have beaten Alabama in recent seasons (Clemson, Ole Miss, Texas A&M) they all had a gunslinger at QB. The only time Alabama didn't look like they were in complete control in a game this season was when they allowed 48 points in a win over Ole Miss. As much as Nick Saban will want to win this game, his team is in the playoffs either way. I like the Gators to score enough points to keep this game relatively close.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Buffalo Bills.

The Steelers perfect record went up in smoke in last week's loss to the Redskins, and playing on the road in Buffalo this week looks like a let down spot for a Steelers team that is a little banged up. With an 11-1 record the Steelers can afford to be complacent, and they might not be able to match the intensity of a hungry Buffalo team. The Steelers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games in December, while the Bills are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a home favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Seattle.

The Sounders are the defending champions, and they are coming off an impressive win in their Semi Final match versus Minnesota. After a disallowed goal, they found themselves trailing with just a minute remaining in regulation. After scoring the equalizer in the 89th minute, they got the game winner in the third minute of extra time. Columbus has had an outstanding season, but with a pair of key midfielders set to miss the Final, they are at a disadvantage. Seattle may also find an advantage in set pieces, as they ranked second in the MLS in scoring off such plays.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Houston Cougars are ranked #10 overall, and they play a very strong defense. They have allowed just 52 points per game so far, and last year they were one of the top defensive teams in the AAC. The under is 21-7-1 in the Cougars last 29 home games, and the under is 21-8 in Cougars last 29 overall. The Gamecocks are 1-1, and neither of those two games saw more than 140 combined points. They are coming off a 69-58 win over Tulsa, and a similar score is expected here against Houston. The Cougars have also failed to reach the total in eight of their last nine Saturday games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Indiana.

The Hoosiers have only lost once, in a game that was decided on the final play on the road at Ohio State. Last week their starting QB Michael Penix Jr. was lost for the season with a serious injury, and that has resulted in the line for this week's game at Wisconsin swelling to a whopping 14.5 points. This game was never expected to be a shootout, with the emphasis always going to be defense and pounding away with the running game. Wisconsin scored just seven points last week in a loss to Northwestern, and QB Graham Mertz threw for 230 yards, a TD and three INTs in a losing effort. After completing 20-of-21 pass attempts in the season opener, he's failed to complete 55% of his attempts since. The Hoosiers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games as a road underdog, and they are 6-0 ATS in their last six conference games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

Nevada comes into Hawaii with a 5-0 record, and they are averaging over 32 points per game. They rank 4th nationally in passing, averaging 364 yards per game. They match up against a Hawaii defense that has allowed 30+ points in four straight games. Nevada quarterback Carson Strong is completing over 70 percent of his passes so far with 14 TDS and two INTs. These teams have gone under in seven straight head to head meetings, but the total for tonight's game is far lower than it was in the last three meetings. The over is 6-1 in the Rainbow Warriors last seven home games, and the over is 21-8 in the Rainbow Warriors last 29 games as a home underdog.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland has run over it's opponents this season, and last week they ran for 231 yards in a 10-7 win over Houston. The final score is a little misleading, as Cleveland never trailed in the game, and only allowed a late touchdown when the game was already out of reach. Nick Chubb wisely passed on a potential TD at the end of the game, allowing the Browns to kneel and run out the clock. The Eagles gave up over 150 yards and three rushing TDs in a loss to the Giants last week, and they have to be having second thoughts about the future of Carson Wentz. Baker Mayfield has his fair share of critics, but so far this season he has a higher QBR (71.4) than Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Phillip Rivers. He's within a few decimal points of Tom Brady (71.8). The recipe for success in Cleveland is less is more for Baker Mayfield. Expect that trend to continue and the Browns to run all over Philly in Week 11.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

How bad are the Wolverines, and how good are the Badgers? Well my guess is that Michigan isn't quite as bad as they have looked so far, and Wisconsin is getting way too much credit for beating up on Illinois in their only game of the season. Starting QB Graham Mertz threw for 248 yards and five TDs on 20-of-21 passing in his first college start, but before we hand him the Heisman we should consider the opposition. Since losing to Wisconsin, Illinois lost to unranked Purdue, and was blown out by Minnesota. The Purdue QB also put up huge numbers against Illinois, throwing for 371 yards on 83 percent passing with a pair of TDs. Mertz is set to be eligible to play after recovering from Covid, but he wouldn't have had any practice over the last two weeks. His backup is also recovering from Covid, which could set up a chance for the third stringer to come into play. The listed total was well below 50 in each of the last four head to head meetings, and they didn't score more than 51 points combined in any of those games. I expect another close, low scoring game between two conference rivals.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Notre Dame Irish.

The Irish have had plenty of chances to prove themselves as an elite team, and time and time again they have failed. Their last appearance in the playoffs was a 30-3 loss to Clemson two years ago, and Trevor Lawrence threw for 327 yards and three TDs in that game. Ian Book didn't have a great game, throwing for just 160 yards, completing just 50 percent of his passes with an INT. Book is now a Senior, and he's having himself a solid season. Clemson almost lost to Boston College last week with Trevor Lawrence sidelined by Covid. This is a tough spot to ask the Tigers to cover points on the road, and a golden opportunity for an improved Notre Dame team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Florida.

The Gators will be an underdog versus Georgia in The Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. Georgia looks like a powerhouse, but their offense has held them back. Stetson Bennett has thrown more picks (5) than TDs (2) in his last two starts, and the Bulldogs scored just 38 points in those games. Florida on the other hand has been a well-oiled machine on offense, averaging 42 points per game. Kyle Trask has thrown for 18 TDs and just two INTs this season. The Bulldogs are very good defensively, but I am not sure they can overcome such a disadvantage at the quarterback position.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Both the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas rank near the bottom of MLS in scoring, and recent head to head meetings have been low scoring. Dallas has failed to score a goal in two of it's last three versus Houston, and the Dynamo have scored just three goals in the last three head to head matches. Dallas has gone under in each of it's last five MLS matches, while Houston has gone under in six of it's last eight overall. It's tough to see these teams combining to score more than three goals.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Wyoming.

Both these teams come into their season opener in the Mountain West with high expectations, but Nevada has been rocked by a recent scandal and a death in the family. Head coach Jay Norvell has been away from the team after the death of his father, and a star defensive tackle has been arrested for sex crimes involving children. Needless to say, Chris Green who was projected to be the starting nose tackle has been suspended from the team. The Wolfpack could use all the help they could get on a defense that allowed over 30 points per game in conference play last season. The Cowboys won 31-3 at home versus Nevada last season, and they are 4-0 ATS in the last four head to head meetings dating back to 2012. Wyoming should be in good shape coming off an eight win season and bringing back QB Sean Chambers who is 9-2 as a starter.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on AC Milan.

Celtic will be the home team in Thursday's Europa League clash versus Italian Giants AC Milan, but there won't be any fans in attendance. Milan currently sits top of the table in Series A, while Celtic sits second in the Scottish League coming off a 2-0 loss to Rivals Rangers. Celtic will be shorthanded for this match. Scotland international James Forrest and young winger Mikey Johnston are both out with injuries. Midfielder Ryan Christie, Israel international Nir Bitton and defender Hatem Abd Elhamed all tested positive for Covid-19, and it's almost certain they won't be available to face Milan. Celtic has lost four of their last five versus Milan, and I expect history to repeat itself here on Thursday.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Over.

The Dodgers powered past Tampa by a score of 8-3 in Game 1, and we continue to see balls leave the yard in Texas. The pitching matchup for Game 2 features a pair of starters who have been hit relatively hard of late.

Blake Snell will toe the rubber for the Rays, and he's given up seven runs on 15 hits in 14 innings in his last three starts.

The Dodgers hand they ball to Tony Gonsolin, who has allowed 11 runs on 12 hits over 12 1/3 innings in his last three appearances.

These two teams have gone over in five straight meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Over.

The Merseyside Derby has been very one-sided for decades, but this Saturday's match between Liverpool and Everton is a little different. So far it's Everton sitting top of the table in the Premier League, and they have scored 12 goals in just four matches. The defending champions have struggled on defense so far, allowing 11 goals in four matches. They haven't had any trouble scoring goals, with 11 in four matches. I am going to go out on a limb and predict an exact score of 2-2.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Cleveland.

There is a lot of talk about how good the Colts are on defense, and we will find out just how good they really are this week. Their stats are skewed afte playing teams with a combined record of 5-11. I don't think Indy has any business being a road favorite at a 3-1 Cleveland team that is 2-0 at home and has averaged 31 points per game this season. The Browns running game has been dominant, unlike any team that the Colts have faced this season. Baker Mayfield takes a lot of flack for throwing a lot of picks, but let me tell you he has a long way to go to catch up to Phillip Rivers. Rivers has thrown three INTs in four games so far, and he's struggled to protect the football his entire career. In fact, he's thrown 201 INTs in 232 career starts. He's averaged an INT per game over the last three seasons.

Take CLE.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on NYY.

The Bronx Bombers crushed the presumptive AL Cy Young winner in Game 1, and they have all the momentum heading into Game 2.

Masahiro Tanaka will toe the slab for New York, and he's had a solid September. Tanaka is 3-2 with a 3,62 ERA in his last five starts.

The Indians hand the ball to Carolos Carrasco, who had a losing record at home during the regular season. He was 2-3 with a 3.03 ERA in seven starts.

Perhaps Carrasco was hurt by a lack of run support, but that has been a theme all year for the Indians. Cleveland's team batting average of .228 is the worst of any team in the playoffs.

The Yankees are 11-3 in their last 14 playoff games as a favorite.

Take NYY.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Wake Forest.

After losing 44-10 to Wake Forest last year, some might call this a revenge spot for the Wolfpack. I would respond by pointing out that NC State has actually lost three straight meetings dating dating back to 2016, and they have a big advantage heading into this Week 2 meeting. After spring practices were cancelled because of Covid-19, the Wolfpack had their season opener cancelled as well. Wake Forest has the benefit of playing the #1 ranked Clemson Tigers last week, and they can take several positives from that games. They appear to be solid at quarterback, with 293 passing yards with a TD and no INTs against the tough Tigers defense. The Wolfpack are 0-6 ATS in their last six conference games, and the Demon Deacons are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games as a road underdog.

Take WAKE.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Over.

The Nuggets are a ratings nightmare for the NBA, denying everyone the Clippers vs Lakers Western Conference Final that we waited for all season. Not only did they come back and win three straight after trailing the Clippers 3-1 in the series, they trailed by double digits in Game 7. The Nuggets shot over 49 percent from the field in Game 7 versus the Clippers, but it's hard to imagine they won't be set up for a let down in Game 1 versus the Lakers. After defeating the Jazz in a low scoring Game 7 in the first round, they lost Game 1 of their series versus the Clippers by a score of 120-97. Other than two low scoring Game 7s, Denver has seen 10 of their 12 playoff games go over the total of 210. The Lakers are averaging over 114 points per game in these playoffs, and the over is 20-7-2 in their last 29 meetings versus Denver.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule