Matt Fargo Handicapper Reviews & Picks

This is a play on the SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS for our CFL Friday Enforcer. Calgary is coming off a big win over Winnipeg last week but it was definitely a misleading final. The Stampeders were outgained by 4 total yards and had 13 fewer first downs. They benefited from four Winnipeg turnovers, two of which turned into touchdowns. Now they are back on the road where they have won their only game but that was against shorthanded Toronto and the task will be a lot greater this time around. The running game is the strength but faces a tough defense so Vernon Adams, Jr. will be asked to do more than normal and it has not been good as Calgary is second to last in passing efficiency at 90.4. Saskatchewan is off to a 4-0 start, both straight up and against the number and we love going against these contrarian spots not in this case with the skewed Calgary game last week and the schedule edge for the Roughriders. They will be refreshed after a Week Five bye and their starting quarterback Trevor Harris will be back in the lineup after missing their Week Four matchup after returning to practice on Monday. They have the highest scoring offense in the league and this is going to be the biggest test the Stampeders have seen and they will not be as fortunate this week. 10* (718) Saskatchewan Roughriders

This is a play on the PITTSBURGH PIRATES as part of our MLB Friday Triple Play. It has been a disappointing season for Pittsburgh which has already fired its manager and this roadtrip has not gotten off to an ideal start as the Pirates are 0-6, getting shutout in three games in Seattle and scoring nine runs in three games in Kansas City. We have not had the opportunity to take Paul Skenes much this season as he is typically overvalued but he is in a buy low spot tonight. He has a 1.94 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through 19 starts which is nearly identical to his line of a 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 23 starts last season. The Pirates are 9-10 in those games and he has allowed two runs or less in 10 of his 11 road outings where his ERA is 1.65 with Pittsburgh going 5-6 in those games with a 4-2 loss at Milwaukee being the only non-one run loss so the record could be a lot better. It has been a bigger of a disappointment for the Twins as they came into the season as division contenders but are three games under .500. Joe Ryan has been consistent as well with his 2.63 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 17 starts with very similar home and road splits. The problem is that Minnesota is just 8-9 in those 17 starts, including losses in four of his last five, so there is no value when squaring off against a quality starter. 10* (925) Pittsburgh Pirates

This is a play on the MIAMI MARLINS as part of our MLB Friday Triple Play. Miami went on an eight-game winning streak but then dropped three of five although it was competitive in all three losses, two of which came by one run. They did win their next two games which ran their road winning streak to 11 games but have since lost two straight, 7-2 and 6-0 losses at Cincinnati but now they are in a great rebound spot. The Marlins are 22-23 on the road and that is compared to a 20-27 record at home. Edward Cabrera has been pitching as good as anyone and is not getting the attention which is good for the take situations with the betting markets not adjusting. He has a 3.33 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 15 starts and his numbers are not much worse on the road. This has come after a poor April where he had a 7.23 ERA and over his last 11 starts, he has a 2.11 ERA. Baltimore is coming off a doubleheader sweep over the Mets on Thursday and has won five of its last six games but it is too little, too late. Dean Kremer is coming off a rough outing against Atlanta as he allowed five runs over four innings which ended a run of 14 straight starts of going at least 15 innings. His 4.53 ERA is the worst since 2021 and we are catching value based on his strong home/road splits. 10* (921) Miami Marlins

This is a play on the TEXAS RANGERS for our Divisional Game of the Month. Texas was able to salvage a split in Los Angeles against the Angels with an 11-4 win last night and they remain on the road to close the first half with another divisional series. The Rangers are two games under .500 and still within reach as they sit 3.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the American League. Jack Leiter has been decent this season and it is only two bad starts that has brought his numbers down. He allowed six runs twice, against Kansas City and Seattle and take those out and his ERA drops from 4.33 to 3.23 and both of those were at home. He has faced the Astros once and tossed a seven-inning quality start. The Astros were coming off a 5-1 roadtrip which included a three-game sweep against the Dodgers but they came home and gave that all back as they were swept against the Guardians. They still have a seven-game lead over the Mariners in the American League West and we are fading them here with Lance McCullers, Jr. on the hill and he is having a rough season, his first since 2022. He has not been able to settle down at home after getting crushed in his opener as he has an 11.37 ERA in five home starts compared to a 0.46 ERA in four road outings. 10* (917) Texas Rangers