Bruce's Picks (1 Live)
Bruce's Past Picks
Still advantage OKC, eh? Not sure, pundits, as if there's one thing the Thunder don't want is for Indiana to be within touching distance in the 4th Q, considering the many breathless Pacers rallies this postseason, none greater than their fightback in Game One. For proponents of the zig-zag, which has worked pretty well this postseason, and indeed worked for OKC in Game 2 of the Denver series after losing the opener, we offer that Indiana is 3-0 in Game 2s thus far in these playoffs, including unexpected wins at Cleveland and New York the last two rounds after winning Game One. A related play on Indy to win this series, prices around +240 at various outlets, might be worth a look, too. Play Pacers
A sloppy first half by the Pacers, who were guilty of a ghastly 19 TOs in the first 24 minutes, helped keep the score down in Game 1. Indy, however, finally found a groove in the second half when cutting down its TOs (just five) and scoring 66 points. As usual, it was a collective Indiana effort, capped by another Tyrese Haliburton game winner. though note how the Pacers were able to make OKC play defense sideline-to-sideline in the second half, and not just trying to ram the ball down the middle as the T-wolves did in the last round. Trendlines have still mostly been over for these teams in the playoffs and expect that to resurface again in Sunday's Game 2. Play Pacers-Thunder Over
As it was last Sunday night vs. the Dodgers, here's a chance for the Yanks on national TV to avenge a loss the previous night. On Saturday it was the Bosox erupting for a 10-7 win, but the Sox offense has been sporadic at best lately, and not expecting similar tonight in the Bronx. That's also because the Bosox will be taking swings against Carlos Rodon, who has emerged as a viable AL Cy Young contender thanks to a 1.27 ERA across his last nine starts. It's a tough spot for Bosox rookie Hunter Dobbins, slotted back into the rotation tonight by Alex Cora after being sent to the bullpen two weeks ago following a succession of tough starts. Play Yankees on Run Line
A tough weekend for the Dodgers, on the verge of getting swept at Busch Stadium, where they have tallied just one run across the first two vs. the Cards. The state of the depleted LA rotation is summed up by looking forward to Clayton Kershaw on the mound despite his struggles and a 5.17 ERA. Kershaw is going to have to come up big, however, because the Cards have recalled highly-rated prospect Michael McGreevy, who starts on Sunday and has posted a 1.57 ERA in 28 2/3 IP (plus an 0.70 WHIP) in the bigs, as Ollie Marmol goes to a six-man rotation with 13 games in as many days. Note LA just 13-16 as a true visitor this season. Play Cards on Money Line
With the two best records in the bigs, is this a possible World Series preview? For Sunday's rubber match, on the surface it might seem advantage Detroit with Jack Flaherty off of two of his best starts of the season, allowing just 1 run across 12 IP in wins over the Giants and Chisox, but let's not overlook the the magic the other way surrounding rookie starter Cade Horton (solid 3.21 ERA) , as the Cubs have won in all five of his starts this season. Chicago enters Sunday on a 12-4 run, and pitching has been superb, not allowing more than three runs in any of the last seven games. A plus price makes the Cubs even more tempting. Play Cubs on Money Line
This might be a last-chance saloon for the Halos' Jack Kochanowicz to stay in Ron Washington's rotation before being moved to the bullpen or perhaps sent back to AAA. His last three starts have been difficult, allowing four runs in each, with 17 hits and ten walks in just 14 1/3 IP, equating to a 7.54 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. It's also time for the Mariners snap out of their funk, now losing their last four and seven of nine, with the offense failing too often to deliver with runners in scoring position. Luis Castillo, off of six shutout innings last Sunday vs. Minnesota in the last game Seattle won, has a 1.44 ERA across his last four starts. Play Mariners on Run Line
Is ex-Ray Ryan Yarbrough the new pitching ace of the Yankees staff? Maybe so, as the Bronx Bombers have won in Yarbrough's last four starts, while across the last three of those, Yarbrough's ERA is a minuscule 1.59. later today, he'll have to be on the mark to outduel Bosox counterpart Garrett Crochet, who just handcuffed the Braves on Sunday, allowing just 1 run in 7 IP. Lingering Bosox problems, however, are more linked to the offense which hasn't been able to provide consistent support; ask Crochet, as the Sox have scored just 8 runs across his last four starts, with three of those turning into losses. Play Yankees on Money Line
Everything except the Run Line has worked for the Rays the past three days, but we'll tempt fate again and back the Rays to extend the margin on Saturday as, Tampa Bay is on a 13-3 run and drawing into contention in the AL East. Granted, Taj Bradley has pitched in some bad luck lately but certainly performing well enough to win, allowing just 4 runs and 8 hits across 14 IP in his last two starts (2.57 ERA), while the Marlins appear in full retreat with losses in five straight and 11 of 15. Miami's Ryan Weathers hasn't gotten much run support lately, either, as the Marlins have lost in his last three starts. Play Rays on Run Line
The ragged back end of the Dodgers' rotation remains a dilemma for Dave Roberts, tonight turning to little-used Justin Wrobleski, whose only start of the season on April 8 at Washington turned into a disaster (we'll say...8 runs and 8 hits in just 5 IP; Roberts would be thrilled with 4 or so serviceable innings before letting the bullpen take over.) LA is also just 13-14 as a visitor this season (the opening two wins over the Cubs were neutral-site games in Japan). Meanwhile, the Cards have won five straight starts made by Sonny Gray, who has had a bit of a curious pattern the past month, alternating getting shelled and not allowing a run! Play Cards on the Money Line.
We admit a bit of surprise in Game One as Edmonton began to dominate after falling two goals behind in the early going. From the middle of the second period onward had begun to tilt the ice in their favor. Florida was hanging on in the 3rd period when Edmonton finally leveled, and in OT it was one-way traffic as it looked like the Oilers were most likely to win. Florida's stellar road mark in the postseason wasn't enough to prevent the Panthers going down 2-0 on the road in the Toronto series, and Florida's forecheck might not be able to slow the Oilers as it did the Canes in the East finals. Play Oilers on the Puck Line.
Wednesday followed the regular-season script between these two, with at least seven goals being scored in all three matchups. Game One continued in that manner, though the Panthers had trouble sustaining their early momentum as the Oilers caught them at 3 in the third period and won in OT. There are too may good skaters on Edmonton's side for the Oilers to fall into any of Florida's forecheck traps, instead able to move into the O-zone in Game One and pepper Sergei Bobrovsky, who couldn't keep out every shot. Florida does retain the capacity to score goals, tallying five or more in five of its last seven games, and currently on a 10-4 over streak in the postseason. Play Panthers-Oilers Over.
It's a homecoming of sorts tonight for Patrick Corbin, returning to D.C., where he pitched six seasons for the Nats, including the memorable run to the 2019 World Series crown when Corbin was a key cog in the rotation. Now he's back in his old neighborhood with the Rangers, and posting some serviceable numbers (including a representative 3.57 ERA in May). Meanwhile, Texas was glad to get out of Tampa after getting swept by the Rays, who rallied for three runs in the 9th inning on Thursday. Note that Nats starter Michael Soroka has been shaky, with a 5.81 ERA in six starts. Play Rangers on the Money Line.
The Marlins had to leave Miami under a cover of darkness after getting swept by the Rockies. There is hope for better news Friday afternoon in Tampa behind starter Edward Cabrera, who hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts, but the Marlins are facing a hot Rays side that can't stop winning, now 12-3 across its last 15 after rallying for three runs in the bottom of the ninth against Texas last night to sweep out the Rangers. Zack Littell is also off pitching a complete game in last Saturday's 16-3 win at Houston, and even though TB lost 2 of 3 at Miami three weeks ago, the Rays are 25-6 the last 31 games in this series. Play Rays on Run Line
Is this "Mission Impossible" for the Pacers? Maybe not as much as some think, even though Indy lost both to OKC in the regular season, and the Thunder lost just once to East teams all season. OKC also has yet to cover a playoff spread on the road (but we'll get to that in Game 3). Game One keys? Andrew Nembhard will need to make plays when the ball is out of Tyrese Halburton's hands. Indy needs to keep turnovers low, and make the Thunder play defense sideline-to-sideline defense after OKC was able to load up in the paint vs. Minnesota, which had no ball reversal. Enough to stay within 10? Remember, the Pacers are also 6-2 SU on the road this postseason! Play Pacers