Sports Picks & Predictions

Cincinnati at San Francisco 7:15 ET

Reds over Giants-The Reds received a strong effort from Andrew Abbott and four relievers in snapping an eight-game losing streak with a 4-2 win in Friday's opener of the three-game series. San Francisco hopes this year's top pitching prospect Mason Black (0-1, 10.38 ERA) is scheduled to make his home debut Saturday. Black will face a Cincinnati team that has demonstrated a bit of offensive life in its last three games. The Reds are slated to send left-hander Nick Lodolo (3-1, 2.79 ERA) to the mound Saturday who is off of his lone loss this season. Take CINCINNATI!

Oklahoma City at Dallas 3:30 ET

Thunder (+) over Mavericks- The Mavericks became the first team to score more than 95 points against the Thunder in this postseason, with Doncic and P.J. Washington combining for 58 points Thursday. Oklahoma City the No. 1 seed in the west did not even make the playoffs last year and they didn't figure the team would run through the NBA playoffs without facing adversity. During the regular season, the Thunder and Mavericks split their two games in Dallas. The Mavs had dropped 8-of-10 meetings to the Thunder before their Game 2 win and I expect that trend continues. Take OKLAHOMA CITY!

Atlanta at New York Mets 7:10 ET

Mets over Braves- New York’s Luis Severino spent eight seasons across the river in the Bronx playing for the New York Yankees and was their ace or No. 1 starter until injuries derailed his career and the Yankees lost their patience. Severino was 33-14 making 62 starts in 2018 and 2019 with a ERA just a shade over 3.0. He was dominating those two seasons with 125 more strikeouts than hits allowed. But, the past four seasons he had 38 starts and only won only 13 games while losing 12. This year it appears that Severino has regained his form allowing just 30 hits in 40 innings. Come-back Player of the Year may be in his future. Take NEW YORK METS!

Houston at Detroit 1:40 ET

Tigers over Astros- Justin Verlander will start for the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series against the Tigers on Sunday afternoon. In a career that began in 2005, Verlander has made 191 career starts at Detroit's home park, posting 100 wins and a 3.18 ERA. Verlander (1-1, 4.43 ERA) started this year on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. He recorded quality outings in two of his first three starts after returning on April 19, then got rocked on Tuesday by the New York Yankees in his most recent outing. In six career starts against his former club, Verlander is 3-3 with a 2.77 ERA. Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-2, 3.86 ERA), who is still seeking his first win as a Tiger despite sharp performances in his last two outings. Flaherty has displayed outstanding control, walking only six while recording 56 strikeouts this season. In three of his seven starts, his teammates have only supported him with one run.

Take DETROIT!

Minnesota at Toronto 1:30 ET

Twins over Blue Jays- With a rare offensive outburst, the Blue Jays overcame a 7-1 deficit Saturday to beat the Twins 10-8. The teams have split the first two of the three-game series. The 10 runs and 16 hits were season bests for the Blue Jays, who won for only the fifth time in 16 games despite winning two of their past three. The loss ended Minnesota's seven-game road winning streak and was just the third defeat in the past 19 games for the Twins. The Blue Jays are scheduled to start right-hander Alek Manoah (0-0, 13.50 ERA) for his second start of the season on Sunday. He is 2-0 with a 3.09 ERA in two career starts against the Twins. Minnesota is scheduled to start right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1, 4.42) in the rubber match. Ober is 1-2 with a 4.40 ERA in three career starts against Toronto. Take MINNESOTA!

New York at Indiana 3:30 ET

Pacers (-) over Knicks- This New York Knicks team is a team full of ‘True grit’ enough of t to make John Wayne proud. As a Knicks fan I am proud of their effort and how much ‘Game’ they ave but, Indiana has to do better. The price has been lowered as there was an overreaction to the Pacers coming home 0-2 and they were made a stronger favorite at home than the conference No. 2 seed. the New York injuries continue to mount and even their Mega Super Star Jaylen Brunson has been slowed and now it appears that New York has too many broken pieces. Take INDIANA!