Rating: 2 Units

This will be a great game between two evenly matched teams. The Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy but the Hurricanes were a better team in the second half of the season and look to take over this game from the first period. The Hurricanes, who scored 19 goals in the previous series, should find the back of the net with ease with Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with quick passes. The Hurricanes, who allowed only 12 goals in the First Round, should limit the Rangers offense with Brent Burns, Jaccob Slavin, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Frederik Andersen to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes should win Game One with a strong performance on the road.

Rating: 2 Units

Orlando has rebounded the ball like a machine since being outrebounded in the first two games, allowing the Magic to attempt 17 more threes than the Cavaliers. With Jarrett Allen dealing with a rib contusion, Cleveland is in dire straits in that department. He reportedly had difficulty lifting his arm after going through shootaround before game six. Without him, Evan Mobley shied away from the moment (three points on 1-for-5 shooting in game six), which is confusing considering that lack of spacing isn't a problem with Allen sidelined. Even with Mitchell's heroics (50 points on 22-for-36 shooting, including 36 points in the paint), the Cavs came up short in game six. His performance was more concerning than encouraging, as the Magic have been much more balanced, with Paolo Banchero (27 points), Franz Wagner (26 points), and Jalen Suggs (22 points) sharing the scoring responsibilities. Even at home, Cleveland will be vulnerable if Allen is as unhealthy as reports indicate. After stealing the momentum, the Magic will steal the series from the Cavaliers in game seven, winning straight-up as underdogs!

MLB Free Pick - Baltimore at Cincinnati

Cincinnati sends its ace left-hander Nick Lodolo (3-0, 1.88) to the mound today. Lodolo will be making his fifth start of the season, the second in his career against Baltimore. He allowed one run on four hits in six innings of a no-decision on July 31, 2022.  Lodolo started Cincinnati's most recent win, a 5-2 decision over the Padres on Monday in San Diego. He struck out 11 batters while allowing just one run and one hit with two walks over seven innings. In his 30th career game, Lodolo's second-inning strikeout of Eguy Rosario on Monday matched teammate Hunter Greene as the fastest pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts in terms of appearances in modern franchise history. The Orioles will counter with right-hander Dean Kremer (2-2, 4.19), who will make his seventh start of the season and second career start against Cincinnati. In his most recent start, on Tuesday, Kremer allowed two runs on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts over seven innings in a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees. Kremer's only start against the Reds came on July 30, 2022, in Cincinnati. He took the loss after allowing six runs on 10 hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Offensively, these teams are about the same. That is to say, they're unreliable. As with Friday's matchup, whoever executes their pitches better will come out on top. Which is why the A's are the team to side with. Joe Boyle has pitched 10.0 innings and allowed two runs in his past two home starts. Miami's Sixto Sanchez has given up eight runs across his 6.2 innings pitched as a starter this season. Oakland may have MLB's most dangerous bullpen. Roll with the home team, who has a five-game winning streak, to come out on top in today's clash.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Bryce Miller (3-2, 2.04 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Seattle today. He matched his career highs for innings (seven) and strikeouts (10) in his previous start, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in the Mariners' 2-1 win over the visiting Atlanta Braves on April 28. Miller ranks third among qualified pitchers with a .156 opponent batting average. Miller is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA over three career starts against the Astros. He was the pitcher of record in the Mariners' 8-3 loss last Sept. 27 after allowing four runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four innings. Right-hander Hunter Brown (0-4, 9.78) has the starting assignment for the Astros. He allowed six runs on five hits and two walks with a season-high seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings but did not factor into the decision of the Astros' 10-9 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. Brown threw 97 pitches against Cleveland, his most since a 97-pitch outing against the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 10, when he absorbed a 5-4 road loss. Brown is 0-2 with a 17.47 ERA over two career starts against the Mariners. In his previous outing against Seattle, Brown allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings in a 7-6 home loss on Aug. 20.

Rating: 2 Units

The Tigers have the better pitcher on the mound and have held a lead in both games of this series, they will finally be able to close one out here. Tarik Skubal has been strong on the mound for Detroit, he has a 4-0 record and is beating the Yankees' Cortes in all categories. Skubal has a lower ERA, has allowed fewer hits and home runs, and has more strikeouts. The Tigers have gone 4-1 in his last five starts, while the Yankees are 1-4 in Cortes' last five starts. The New York offense is very reliant on hitting home runs, and Skubal has only allowed two home runs all year. Detroit won four of their last five before starting this series, they are a strong team sending out one of their best starters, they won't get swept here.