Michael Alexander

MLB Free Pick - Philadelphia at Cincinnati

Nick Martinez (0-0, 4.76 ERA) is leaving the bullpen and returning to the Cincinnati rotation. He will make his third start of the season today. Martinez takes the place of right-hander Frankie Montas, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a bruised right forearm after being struck with a line drive 16 pitches into his Sunday start against the Los Angeles Angels. Martinez will be making his first career start against Philadelphia.  Philadelphi will counter with Zack Wheeler. His latest start was his first win of the season after 7.1 shutout innings and only one hit allowed. Wheeler faced the Reds on April 3, giving up three runs (one earned) across 6.0 innings pitched. He struck out 10 Reds and issued one walk. For the season, Wheeler has a 2.30 ERA, 2.42 FIP, and 0.894 WHIP.

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Rating: 2 Units

Both goaltenders have played well in this series. The Panthers are just getting more shots on goal in the series, and the result has been them taking two, one-goal victories. The series has been close though and should continue to be so. The Lightning are now at home, where they have been much better. That will be the difference in game three, as they get the win.

Rating: 2 Units

It is truly now or never for the Sixers in game three at home vs. the Knicks. This should be an angry bunch after coughing up a five-point lead in the final 30 seconds of the game on Monday night. The Sixers can blame the refs but they also know that they were dominated on the glass and physically dominated down the stretch. The Sixers' defensive strategy against Brunson has worked brilliantly and the Sixers have held the Knicks offense in check overall. Back at home, I expect the Sixers to get better performances out of the likes of Oubre and Harris to ease the burden of Maxey and Embiid to lead the Sixers to win. Batum should also have a stronger game after being limited offensively in the first two games. The Knicks have been a bit lucky in the first two games, losing in each game before rallying to victory. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Magic lost Suggs for nearly all of game two, but he's ready to play in game three. If he's close enough to 100 percent healthy, he'll give Orlando a capable defender to chase Mitchell and a three-point threat on offense. I expect he and Gary Harris to play much better in today's environment, providing a boost for the home team. With reliable performances from complementary players, Orlando will figure it out offensively. Protecting the paint on defense is another key, as Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen have scored too many easy buckets at the rim. Considering how poorly the Cavs have shot the three-ball in both games, reducing rim scoring is crucial.

Rating: 2 Units

Berrios (4-0, 0.85 ERA) hasn't allowed a run in his last three outings covering 19 2/3 innings. His overall scoreless-innings streak stands at 21 2/3 innings. After posting three consecutive wins, Berrios is off to the best start of his career. In 21 career starts against the Royals, Berrios is 7-5 with a 4.72 ERA, most recently going seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in a 5-2 win on Sept. 10, 2023. Berrios has held Salvador Perez to a .200 average with just three extra-base hits -- all doubles -- in 40 at-bats. Cole Ragans (0-2, 4.32 ERA) will take the ball for Kansas City today. The left-hander recorded just five outs while matching a career high with seven runs allowed on nine hits in a 9-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

Rating: 2 Units

Peralta (2-0, 1.90 ERA) will hope to limit the bullpen's workload on Thursday. He is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 20 career appearances, 11 starts, against Pittsburgh. In his past two outings combined, Peralta has allowed just one run on nine hits in 12 innings, with two walks and 18 strikeouts. Right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller (2-2, 4.80 ERA) is expected to get the nod on the mound for the Pirates. Keller is 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA in six career starts against the Brewers.

Rating: 2 Units

Colorado's downfall is on the mound as the Rockies are 30th or last in each of the following: ERA, WHIP and batting average allowed. The Rockies cannot offset that poor pitching with hitting as Colorado is just 14th in batting average and 20th in slugging percentage, while producing 88 runs which is only 23rd. San Diego on the other hand has the eighth best team batting average and has scored the seventh most runs, while carrying the 10th best slugging percentage. On the mound, San Diego holds its own with the 10th best team ERA and 14th best batting average allowed at just .234. San Diego starting pitcher Randy Vasquez is just 0-1, but has a 1.80 ERA after allowing just one earned run in five innings last Saturday versus Toronto but the Padres played poorly in the field as San Diego gave up three unearned runs while Vasquez was on the mound. Colorado starting pitcher Dakota Hudson has been hit hard in each of the last three starts allowing a combined 12 runs in just 14 innings and needless to say Colorado lost each of the three games.