Wouldn’t it be nice if they were all this easy? Our 2* STRONG selection on the Phillies/BRAVES UNDER was a “Rocking Chair” as Luzardo and Schellenbach, and their respective bullpens, performed as expected in a battle that was tied 1-1 through 9 innings, with Atlanta eventually coming away with a 4-2 victory on Marcell Ozuna’s walk off Homer in the 11th. Each starter came in Red Hot, and stayed that way, allowing 1 earned run in 6 innings. Our 1* SOLID release on the Minnesota Timberwolves Team Total OVER 116 was even easier as the Wolves TOTALED 129 AFTER 3 QUARTERS! As anticipated, Memphis firing their Coach did nothing to persuade the players to give even a modicum of Effort on DEFENSE. We are kicking ourselves for not elevating this play to the 4* level but, a win is a win, and we will be happy to go 2-0 any day. Adding 3 Units brings our rolling 45 day record to 78-58 for PLUS 77.6 UNITS.
2* STRONG – (NBA) Minnesota Team Total OVER 116 (141) WIN
1* SOLID – (MLB) Philadelphia/ATLANTA UNDER 7.5 (2-4) WIN
2* STRONG – (MLB) Philadelphia/ATLANTA UNDER 7.5: Tonight the Philadelphia Phillies (8-3) visit the Atlanta Braves (2-9) in what shapes up as a good, old-fashioned pitching duel with Jesus Luzardo facing off against Spencer Schellenbach. Luzardo has been fantastic through 2 starts (12 innings) posting a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while striking out 19 and walking just 4. This includes a win over the powerhouse Dodgers. The Braves’ Spencer Schwellenbach has also been excellent in his first two starts as he has yet to allow a run while surrendering just 3 hits over 14 innings, and striking out 14 against only a single walk. This domination has resulted in a miniscule .29 WHIP. Schwellenbach is coming off a win over Miami where he worked eight shutout innings surrendering just 2 hits. He has also shut down the potent Padres lineup. The Phillies boast a strong lineup once again but they have their work cut out tonight in this matchup. Atlanta’s offense has struggled out of the gate (averaging 3 runs per game) minus star Acuna and this does not appear to be a “get right” spot versus the Red Hot Luzardo. With both teams also sporting good bullpens, we expect a hard fought and low scoring affair.
1* SOLID – (NBA) Minnesota TEAM TOTAL OVER 116: Tonight we have the Minnesota Timberwolves traveling to take on the MEMPHIS Grizzlies and their new Head Coach. Oftentimes, in the last week of an NBA season, it is difficult to measure the motivation level of various teams but for the Wolves, after allowing a 34-3 run to cost them a victory over the Bucks in their last out, there should be no question they will be playing a full 4 quarters here! As for Memphis, firing their coach will likely not help their AWFUL DEFENSE as they are allowing 124 ppg at HOME over the last 13 games and have given up 115 or more in 11 of those contests. Memphis ranks just 16th in Overall Defense over their last 15 games and are even worse defending from deep over that span, ranking a pitiful 27th, while also allowing the 4th most free throws. These defensive inefficiencies do not bode well versus a Minnesota team that ranks 7th in 3-point attempts and percentage over the last 15 games. Unless they just have a terrible shooting night, we see an angry T-Wolve side taking out some frustration versus the defenseless Grizzlies for a full 48 minutes in what will likely be a closely contested game.