Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Cubs.

After splitting a home series versus Philly, the Cubs are still 17-8 at Wrigley this season. They host the Reds in Game 1 of a new series Friday, and Cincinnati is 10-16 on the road.

Anthony DeSclafini will toe the rubber for the Reds, and he's coming off a loss to the Dodgers. DeSclafani (2-2, 4.60 ERA) allowed four runs on six hits and three home runs in four innings in a 6-0 home loss to LA.

The Cubs hand the ball to Kyle Hendricks, who is normally pretty sharp at home. Hendricks (4-4, 3.21 ERA) allowed one run on five hits, striking out seven in eight innings in a home win over Miami his last time out. He's 2-1 with a 0.62 ERA in four home starts this season.

Hendricks is 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA in his last nine starts versus Cincinnati.

Take CHC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Atlanta.

The Braves bring a three game winning streak into Game 2 in St. Louis, while the Cardinals are just 3-9 in their last 12 overall.

Mike Soroka will toe the slab for the visitors, and the rookie has been dealing. Soroka (5-1, 1.01 ERA) struck out seven while allowing a run on two hits in eight innings in a win over the Giants his last time out.

The Cardinals hand the ball to Dakota Hudson, who hasn't missed many bats lately. Hudson (3-3, 4.40 ERA) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings in a win over Texas his last time out. He gives up a ton of hits, as evidenced by the fact that opponents are batting .299 against him in his nine starts this season.

Freddie Freeman was 2-for-4 with a home run in Game 1, and he's batting .370 lifetime versus the Cardinals.

Take ATL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Toronto.

I had the Raptors in the first half of Game 3, and here is what I said prior to the game: "The Raptors got off to a good start in Game 1, leading 59-51 at halftime. They fell apart in the fourth quarter, losing by a final score of 108-100. They return home down 0-2, and they face a must win game as they try to get back into this series. The Bucks come into Game 3 in complete control, and it's tough to see them matching Toronto's intensity here in the first half of this game. The game plan for Milwaukee is likely to weather the storm early, try to keep the game close and steal one late (similar to Game 1)." Toronto has flipped the script by winning three straight and pushing the Bucks to the brink. They have figured out a way to slow down Giannis, forcing him to make shots. There are no pretenders in the post-season, and it's beginning to look like the Bucks weren't all they were cracked up to be.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

    

This is a 5* play on the Under.

I had the Raptors in the first half of Game 3, and here is what I said prior to the game: "The Raptors got off to a good start in Game 1, leading 59-51 at halftime. They fell apart in the fourth quarter, losing by a final score of 108-100. They return home down 0-2, and they face a must win game as they try to get back into this series. The Bucks come into Game 3 in complete control, and it's tough to see them matching Toronto's intensity here in the first half of this game. The game plan for Milwaukee is likely to weather the storm early, try to keep the game close and steal one late (similar to Game 1)." Toronto has flipped the script by winning three straight and pushing the Bucks to the brink. They have figured out a way to slow down Giannis, forcing him to make shots. There are no pretenders in the post-season, and it's beginning to look like the Bucks weren't all they were cracked up to be. The Raptors shot just 36.9 percent from the field in Game 5, and in an elimination game in the conference finals, we should expect no easy buckets.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule