Art Aronson

This is a 9* on VANCOUVER

The entire 16-team playoff field is set, but there are still a few more regular season games left, many of which will impact the seeding for the postseason. Here in the all-Canadian North Division, Winnipeg is in the playoffs and trying to be the three seed. That would mean a first round date with Edmonton, as opposed to Toronto if they were to finish fourth. Vancouver has been eliminated from playoff contention, so they’re relegated to the role of spoiler at this point. While a play on the Jets might sound logical today, they are not playing well at all as of late. Losers of nine of their last 10 overall and seven straight at home, this is not a team you want to be backing. They were just beaten by the Canucks 3-1 last night here on home ice. The road team has won all but one of the eight head to head matchups this year. Over the past 10 games, the Jets have scored just 17 goals and the power play is 2 for its last 27. Play on VANCOUVER

AAA

This is a 10* on MIAMI

This is a really important game in the race for the six seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami has a two-game lead over Boston after beating them (the Celtics) on Sunday 130-124 here in Beantown. The six seed, as a reminder, avoids the play-in tournament. So it’s very significant to finish in the top six in your conference. The Heat have been the hotter team of late with wins in 9 of their last 12 games. The Celtics have dropped six of nine and actually trailed by 30 points in one of those three victories. We’re going with Miami to make it two in a row in Boston tonight on TNT. The Heat led by 26 at halftime Sunday after shooting 65 percent. Boston got some really bad news yesterday when it was announced that Jaylen Brown, who is having a career year, is done for the season because of a wrist injury. Before getting beaten by the Heat 48 hours ago, the Celtics lost by 22 at Chicago. They’ve now used 34 different starting lineups this season, fourth most in the league, and there’s just not a lot of positives for this team right now. Play on MIAMI

AAA

This is a 10* on OVER

Kansas City comes into this series having dropped eight in a row. Six of the losses have been by at least three runs and they’ve been outscored 58-21 over the course of the losing streak. They’ve gone from leading the AL Central to having the second worst run differential in the American League. But if ever there was a team you’d want to see when staring at the opposite dugout, it’s the Tigers. They have the worst run differential and worst overall record in MLB. They did win their last game (on Sunday), but before that it was 18 losses in 21 games. Both of these teams allow more than 5.0 runs/game, so this total seems low. Detroit has gone Over in five straight and has allowed 10 or more runs in four of the last nine games. The Royals have allowed seven or more runs five times during the currently losing streak, including nine in back to back games. The two starting pitchers, Singer for KC and Boyd for Detroit, are actually both decent. But Boyd has a 5.71 ERA in 23 career starts vs. KC, who is his most common opponent. Singer’s last two starts have both gone Over. Play on OVER

AAA

This is an 8* on UNDER

The Mets drew first blood with the Orioles, winning the series opener 3-2 on Tuesday. All five runs were scored in the final three innings. The Mets are giving up just 2.1 runs per game at home, so Baltimore struggling to score last night should not have been a major surprise. Especially with them playing without the DH. It’s not like they are a great offensive team even with the designated hitter in the lineup. They came into Tuesday averaging just 3.9 runs/game. Look for the Orioles to struggle again this afternoon as they face Taijuan Walker, who has been great so far for the Mets with a 5-1 TSR. The team is 3-0 his last three starts with Walker posting a 1.80 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Walker allowed just one hit in seven innings the last time he started, which was at St. Louis. His last home start saw him toss seven shutout innings of three-hit ball. The Mets’ old teammate Matt Harvey will start for Baltimore today. While we don’t expect he and the Orioles to win today, Harvey may make it tough on the home team. He has a 1.72 ERA his last three starts and Baltimore pitching has kept opposing hitters to a .208 average on the road (entering yesterday). Play on UNDER

This is a 7* on NY METS

The Mets drew first blood with the Orioles, winning the series opener 3-2 on Tuesday. While it’s true the Mets had a slight advantage as Monday was an off-day for them (while Baltimore was hosting Boston), let’s be honest here: the Mets are just plain better. Now 17-13 overall and 10-4 at home, they lead the NL East. Baltimore is 16-20 overall and last in the AL East, which is where you are likely to find them the remainder of the 2021 season. The Orioles’ 11-7 road record is certainly surprising, but also won’t be maintained. The Mets are giving up just 2.1 runs per game at home. Wednesday’s starter Taijuan Walker has been great so far with a 5-1 TSR and the team is 3-0 his last three with Walker posting a 1.80 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Walker allowed just one hit in seven innings the last time he started, which was at St. Louis. His last home start saw him toss seven shutout innings of three-hit ball. The Mets’ old teammate Matt Harvey will start for Baltimore today. He has a 4.11 and 1.43 WHIP on the road, so it seems a little lucky that the Orioles are 3-0 in those three starts. The Orioles don’t score all that much to begin with (3.9 runs/game) and don’t get to use the designated hitter in this series. Play on NY METS

AAA