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
Thursday MLB Pick
Everybody and their mother will be leaning towards the Houston Astros tonight when they try to win Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Gerrit Cole will get the nod for Houston and his stats are not necessary to mention. We know what he’s done all year and that is throw flames. The Rays counter with Tyler Glasnow, who can deliver. Glasnow was 4-0 on the road in the regular season, with a nasty ERA of 0.55, and did have a win against the Astros this year at the Trop. Tampa mowed down Verlander and Greinke. Why not Cole, too? Baseball is a streaky sport. The Rays are red hot and have nothing to lose because they are not supposed to be here!!!
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY RAYS
Wednesday MLB Pick
The Atlanta Braves could have wrapped up the NLDS on Monday in St. Louis but they let it slip away. Today the venue switches to SunTrust Park and they will try to win their first playoff series since 2001. Mike Foltynewicz will be on the hill for Atlanta. If he pitches anything like he did in Game 2, the Braves win. He was lights out, striking out 7, yielding just 3 hits and no walks in 7 scoreless innings, resulting in a Braves 3-0 shut out. Jack Flaherty took the loss in Game 2 and will get the nod today for St. Louis. He pitched well in Game 2 but not well enough. He gave up 3 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk. The Cardinals have just 1 win in their last 8 playoff games on the road and are 2-7 in Flaherty’s last 9 starts against the NL East. Fatigue could be an issue for the young right-hander today. Flaherty threw 117 pitches in Game 2 and will be working on 4 days’ rest. The Braves’ middle of the order has been lethargic so they are due, plus with Foltynewicz on the bump, and 41,000+ fans behind them, edge Braves.
TODAY’S PICK: ATLANTA BRAVES
Tuesday MLB Pick
The Tampa Bay Rays were able to force a Game 4 yesterday in the ALDS by routing the Houston Astros, 10-3. It has been a good run for the Rays but they will have to be clicking on every cylinder tonight when they face Justin Verlander, if they want it to continue. Verlander was spectacular in Game 1, holding the Rays to just 1 hit and no runs over 7 innings of work. Verlander has dominated Tampa at the Trop, going 6-3 in his career with an ERA of 2.87. The Rays will play bullpen ball and are expected to go with Diego Castillo as the opener. Castillo did make 6 starts this year but the results were not good, posting a 6.15 ERA. Verlander will be pitching on 3 days’ rest but I don’t see that as a problem. He says he is ready and wants the ball.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS
Monday MLB Pick
In the first two games of the ALDS, the New York Yankees have pounded the Minnesota Twins, outscoring them 18-6. Tonight the venue moves to Target Field and the Yanks can smell blood. Luis Severino will be tapping the rubber for the Yankees. Since his return to the rotation, he has gone 1-1, with a 1.50 ERA, and a 1.00 WHIP. All Star Jake Odorizzi will get the nod for the Twins. He is 15-7, with a 3.51 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP, but the last time he faced the Bombers, he was lit up. Odorizzi yielded 9 runs in 4 innings of work, resulting in a 10-7 Yankee win. Gary Cederstrom will be calling the shots tonight and Minnesota is just 2-6 in their last 8 games with him behind the dish.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES