Sports Picks & Predictions

MLB Free Pick - Houston at NYY

Ronel Blanco (3-0, 2.09 ERA), who has emerged as Houston's ace after entering the season as the fifth starter, attempts to produce another quality start when he faces the Yankees for the first time on Thursday. The Astros are 5-1 in his starts. Blanco got a no-decision Friday against the Seattle Mariners when he allowed three runs on five hits in six innings. Marcus Stroman (2-1, 3.41 ERA) hopes to find better command of the strike zone against the Astros. Stroman issued five walks for the second straight outing on Friday. He wound up with a no-decision after allowing one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings in a game the Yankees won in the ninth inning against Detroit.

Rating: 2 Units

The Avalanche have won five consecutive playoff games since losing their first-round opener to the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado has shown plenty of offensive punch in that stretch. As much as the Avalanche can take pride in drumming up an impressive comeback victory to kick off this series, they know it is not a long-term recipe for success against the Stars, who finished atop the Western Conference standings in the regular season. Knowing Colorado has the firepower to come back -- led by Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, Mikko Rantanen and defenseman Cale Makar -- is comforting. The Avalanche have 32 goals in six playoff games this year and are the only team averaging more than five goals per game in the postseason. Colorado's cavalcade of talent converted both power-play opportunities in Game 1, and has now clicked for eight goals on 18 chances with the man advantage in the playoffs this year.

Rating: 2 Units

After dominating in game one, it's difficult to not imagine the Thunder coasting to an easy win in game two of the series. This is one of the best defenses Dallas has seen of late and it showed in game one, as they struggled to shoot the ball. That isn't expected to suddenly change for game two. Adding in Oklahoma City having the massive upper hand when it comes to three-point shooting itself, as well as one of the best homefield advantages in the NBA, and Oklahoma City has to feel great about their chances at victory in this one. The Thunder have covered the spread twice in the last month against Dallas, in four-straight overall, and in eight of their last nine, as they continue those winning trends coming in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

Lynn has been modestly effective for the Cardinals this season and has generally kept them in games that he has started. The Cardinals are 3-3 in Lynn's starts this season overall. One key factor has been Lynn's ability to keep the ball in the yard. After giving up 44 home runs last season, he has only given up five thus far on the season and kept his strikeout rate up. The Brewers' Myers has struggled to keep the ball in the yard, giving up five home runs in just 13 innings of work. He has an inflated ERA of 6.23 thus far and the Brewers are 0-3 in games he has started. I like the Cardinals to get a measure of revenge from their previous sweep at the hands of the Brewers and pick up the win.

Rating: 2 Units

For most of Chicago's games, picking them to lose in uncompetitive fashion is the smart option. Erick Fedde has been their best starter, but the Guardians have already tagged him for five runs. The White Sox have a bullpen that issues a ton of walks, a dangerous formula against this Guardians lineup. Then, Cleveland's Ben Lively has been holding every offense under three runs this season. Chicago is already the only team that doesn't score at least three runs per game. Expect a blowout win in Cleveland's favor.

Rating: 2 Units

Hunter Greene has been solid on the mound for the Reds, but his record does not reflect this. Greene still has a strong 3.12 ERA, but in his last four losses the Reds only scored three total runs. He was getting less than one run of offense per game in his starts, no wonder why he has a losing record. The same will not happen here, as Arizona is sending out Slade Cecconi to start. Cecconi is only making his fourth start of the year, in just three games he has given up three home runs, and has not had a single outing where he held the other team scoreless. In his last performance, he gave up two home runs and six runs in just four innings to the Padres. Cincinnati will be able to get their offensive groove back in this one, as De La Cruz and Steer are both having strong seasons thus far at the plate. Cincinnati is in an offensive slump, but they are still 16th in the MLB in run production, they are far from the worst offense. Cincy grabs the win here in the series finale.