Sean Murphy Handicapper Reviews & Picks

My selection is on the Athletics over Toronto at 10:05 pm et on Saturday.

We'll back the Athletics at a generous price on Saturday night as they look to get back at the Blue Jays after dropping the opener of this series in a high-scoring affair last night. Jacob Lopez will get the start for the A's. He is coming off a couple of shaky outings but has certainly been effective at times this season, particularly here at home. Prior to those last two starts he had given up just one earned run in 23 innings of work over his previous four outings. Kevin Gausman will take the ball for Toronto. He hasn't been as consistent as we've been accustomed to seeing this season. Gausman checks in having allowed four earned runs in 10 innings over his last two outings. He hasn't made it beyond the fifth inning in four of his last five trips to the hill. The A's can hang with the best of them offensively right now, ranking eighth in the majors in weighted on base average and fifth in isolated power over the last week. Take the Athletics (8*).

My selection is on Arizona over Los Angeles at 9:35 pm et on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks offense couldn't keep up with the Angels last night in a narrow defeat. Arizona still ranks ninth in the majors in weighted on base average and eighth in isolated power over the last week. While the Angels offense has been good lately as well I believe they're at a pitching disadvantage with Yusei Kikuchi taking the ball against Zac Gallen on Saturday. Gallen got off to a rough start this season but has since settled down, allowing just one earned run over 13 innings in his last two outings. Kikuchi allowed four earned runs in five innings last time out against Texas. His 1.38 WHIP on the season indicates just how much traffic he's been dealing with and I look for the D'Backs to take advantage here. With the bullpens a virtual wash, we'll back the better starting pitcher and offense at a very reasonable price. Take Arizona (8*).

Saturday MLB Free play. My selection is on Philadelphia over San Diego at 7:35 pm et on Saturday.

The Phillies dropped the opener of this series 4-2 last night but I look for them to bounce back on Saturday. Philadelphia will hand the ball to its ace Zack Wheeler in his final start before the All-Star break. Wheeler is putting together another Cy Young Award-caliber season and takes on a Padres offense that ranks 23rd in the majors in weighted on base average and 27th in isolated power over the last week. The Phillies, despite a poor showing at the plate last night, check in 10th and 13th, respectively, in those two categories over the same stretch. Yu Darvish gets the start for San Diego. He struggled in his first start back from injury as he wasn't able to make it through the fourth inning in a loss to the Diamondbacks. The Padres bullpen is a little weary at this point having not had an off day in well over a week. We'll back the road side on Saturday. Take Philadelphia.

East Division Game of the Month. My selection is on Ottawa plus the points over Hamilton at 7 pm et on Saturday.

The Redblacks enter this game off consecutive 'upset' losses including a 39-33 setback in Edmonton last week. While they do play this game on a short week, I like their chances of hanging tough with the division rival Tiger-Cats, who check in off a win and cover in Toronto, marking their second straight victory following an 0-2 start. Familiarity between opponents tends to lend itself to tightly-contested affairs in the CFL and this should be no exception. The Redblacks entered the campaign with fairly high expectations but have faced a difficult early schedule, leading to a 1-4 start. They have certainly been competitive on the road, where they've lost only one game by more than five points, that coming in last week's defeat against the Elks. Hamilton has produced a whopping 86 points over its last two games but I certainly don't think that type of offensive production is sustainable. Look for the Redblacks to at least take this one down to the wire. Take Ottawa (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Ottawa and Hamilton at 7 pm et on Saturday.

The Tigers-Cats return home riding high off a win and cover in Toronto last week - their second straight victory after starting the season 0-2. After scoring a whopping 51 points in that win in Toronto, I can't help but feel they're in for a letdown here as they return home to face a Redblacks team that will be eager to turn things around off consecutive losses. Ottawa also thrived offensively last week, scoring 33 points in a failed comeback attempt in Edmonton. Keep in mind, prior to that, the Redblacks had scored 26, 18, 20 and 16 points in their first four contests. I don't think they'll have much interest in getting involved in another track meet on Saturday. In this tough divisional matchup, look for points to come at a premium. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on Chicago plus the points over Minnesota at 1 pm et on Saturday.

We won with the Sky plus the points in this same matchup in Minnesota last weekend and I won't hesitate to go back to the well with them again in Saturday's rematch. This might be a tough matchup for the Lynx to get up for after they delivered a win and cover in Los Angeles on Thursday. That win avoided a losing streak - something Minnesota hasn't experienced all season. The Sky continue to deliver the cash having won seven straight games ATS. They were in a bit of a tough spot at home against Dallas last time out but still managed to pull away for an 11-point victory. The Sky have shown the ability to stay competitive by playing tough defense, holding five straight and eight of their last 10 opponents to 30 made field goals or fewer. Look for them to do the same on Saturday as they keep the Lynx within arm's reach. Take Chicago (8*).