Will Rogers

The set-up: After winning four in a row and seven of eight, I think the Rangers finally have a letdown here. The home side hands the ball to Griffin Canning, who enters off his best start of the year after being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake in late April. He’ll be opposed by the erratic Drew Smyly. 

The pitchers: Smyly (0-3, 6.51 ERA) has only lasted five innings once in seven tries this year. He’s been a “train wreck” vs. the Angels throughout his career as well by going 0-4 with a 5.59 ERA over five starts. 

Canning (2-1, 3.80) sent seven scoreless vs. the Royals on Saturday, allowing three hits and one walk. 

The pick: The Angels won’t be taking anything for granted here after losing three straight. I give Canning the big nod on the bump and that’s going to be more than enough to swing the scales in favor of the hungry home side here in my opinion. Lay the price.

LA Angels.

8*

The set-up: I think this one highly favors the home side. The Reds send the volatile Anthony DeSclafani to the hill, while the Cubs hand the ball to Kyle Hendricks. 

The pitchers: DeSclafani (2-2, 4.60 ERA) gave up three home runs and lasted only four inning for a second consecutive start in a loss to the Dodgers in his last outing. Over his previous two starts DeSclafani has now been shelled for eight runs off 14 hits, including four dingers.

Hendricks (4-4, 3.21) has gone 4-1 with a 2.53 ERA over his last 42 2/3’s innings of work. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Cincinnati is still just 7-13 as a road dog this year, while Chicago is 15-6 as a home favorite. I think Hendricks is the correct call. I’m laying the price.

Chicago Cubs.

10*

The set-up: The Diamondbacks broke out of their slump in a big way last night by destroying the Giants 18-2. Clearly the last thing Arizona can do is sit back and relax though as it’ll now look to carry that momentum over into another favorable matchup. The Giants can’t be happy after getting shellacked either. Two confirmed “gas cans” go head to head in this one and in my opinion, this one has “slug-fest” written all over it. The visitors hand the ball to Taylor Clarke, while the home side counters with Andrew Suarez. 

The pitchers: Clarke (0-1, 2.00 ERA) gave up two runs over six innings in a loss to the Rays on Tuesday. This will be his second start of his career. 

Suarez (0-1, 4.50) gave up three runs and four hits over six innings in a loss to the Braves on Monday. This is his second start of the season as well.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Arizona has seen the total go over in 13 of 20 vs. the division already this season, while San Fran has seen the total fly over in seven of ten already this year after a loss by four runs or more. This number is much to low in my opinion.

Arizona Dbacks/San Francisco Giants OVER

10* play

The set-up: After the Milwaukee Bucks went up 2-0, many thought that Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors’ magical run was finished. But Toronto made adjustments when the series shifted North of the border and now the Raptors find themselves in the drivers seat with a chance to end it at home in Game 6. Leonard has been phenomenal defensively on Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo and I think the Milwaukee forward will once again have his hands full here in this difficult road arena. Also note that Bucks’ shooter Nikola Mirotic is just 6 for 31 from range in this series. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Milwaukee has seen the total go under in eight of its last 12 road games following back-to-back SU/ATS losses, while Toronto has seen the total eclipse the posted number in seven of its last ten home games following B2B SU/ATS playoff victories. The Bucks have been no slouches defensively either in this series. Game 6 has the feel of an all out war from start to finish. This number is high.

Toronto Raptors/Milwaukee Bucks UNDER

10* play