Masahiro Tanaka was spectacular in Game 1 of the ALCS in Houston, yielding just 1 hit in 6 scoreless innings as the Yankees went on to win the game, 7-0. Zack Greinke is slated to take the hill for the Astros and has not been delivering in the post-season. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings in the loss to the Yankees on Saturday and is now 0-2 in the post-season with a bloated 8.38 ERA. If Tanaka and the Yankees can put the screws to the Astros at Minute Maid Park, why not tonight in the Bronx, where they have won 8 of the last 11 meetings with Houston?
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES
Month: October 2019
Wednesday MLB Pick
Heavy rains are expected in the Bronx tonight so, weather permitting, the New York Yankees will try to even the score with the Houston Astros at two games apiece. New York will not have to face any of the lethal three (Cole, Verlander or Greinke) as both teams are expected to go with a bullpen game. The Yankees potent offense has been stymied in the last two games but could see the return of Giancarlo Stanton tonight. Despite last night’s loss, New York is still 8-3 in their last 11 games at home against Houston. The Bombers cannot go down 3-1 in this series or it’s over, and they know it.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES
Tuesday NHL Pick
When the Winnipeg Jets take the ice at Bell MTS Place, good things happen. They win. Last year the Jets were 25-12-4 at home and tonight they will host an Arizona Coyotes team that they have dominated. The Jets have won 8 of the last 10 meetings against the Coyotes and will notch another one tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WINNIPEG JETS
Monday MLB Pick
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves down 0-2 in the NLCS and it won’t get any easier for them tonight as they face Stephen Strasburg at Nationals Park. The Nationals have won all 3 of Strasburg’s post-season starts and they are 4-1 in his last 5 turns against the Cardinals at home. St. Louis will counter with Jack Flaherty and this guy can deliver. In the post-season, he is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA and had better be on his game tonight because the run support has not been there. St. Louis has just 4 hits in the first two NLCS games. The Nationals are hot and clicking on every cylinder.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Sunday MLB Pick
The Savages were out last night and Masahiro Tanaka pitched a gem, as the Yankees rolled to a 7-0 victory, taking Game 1 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros. Tonight they will turn to the Big Maple, James Paxton, who has had success against the Stros. Paxton is 8-4 in his career against Houston with a 3.24 ERA and he is 4-2 lifetime at Minute Maid Park, with a 3.92 ERA. It won’t be easy for the Bombers because Justin Verlander will be tapping the rubber for Houston. Verlander is 6-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 9 career starts in the ALCS but better be on his game tonight because the Yankees 1-9 can crush the ball. New York has won 4 of the last 5 meetings and they are 6-0 in Paxton’s last 6 road starts.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES
Saturday NHL Pick
The Ottawa Senators will be facing the best line in hockey (Point, Stamkos and Kucherov) when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning today at Canadian Tire Centre. All-Star Brayden Point showed no rust when he rejoined the lineup on Thursday in Toronto, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist, in a Tampa Bay drubbing of the Leafs. Today the Lightning stay north of the border and will face a rebuilding Senators team that is, not surprisingly, 0-3 to start the season. The Lightning have won 7 of the last 10 meetings with the Sens and Tampa’s lethal offense will be too much for them to handle.
TODAY’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Friday NHL Pick
The Carolina Hurricanes have surged out of the gate to a 4-0 start. Tonight they will go for 5 straight when they host their division rival, the New York Islanders, in the friendly confines of PNC Arena. The Canes swept the Islanders 4 straight in last year’s semi-finals and it appears New York is still nursing their wounds, going 1-2 to start the season. Carolina has notched 17 goals in their first 4 games and New York’s offense that has mustered just 7 tallies in their first 3 contests. PNC Arena will be electric tonight and the Canes are hot, so ride them.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CAROLINA HURRICANES