Tim Michaels Handicapper Reviews & Picks

T.M. Selection: Rays runline (IL GOM)

After dropping the first two games of this three-game interleague series by scores of 8-4 and 7-0, I like Tampa to, at the very least, keep this one tight until the end and to earn the comfortable cover on the runline option, which I feel is offered at a great price here. Jesus Luzardo is 3-1 with a 1.94 ERA for the Phillies and it's difficult to say anything negative about the 27-year-old, so I'm not even going to bother. He's simply in the "wrong place" at the "wrong time" in my estimation vs. the now desperate home side. Note as well that Luzardo has struggled big time against the Rays throughout his career, going 0-3 with a ballooned 6.20 ERA over four career starts. The Rays go with Ryan Pepiot, who is 2-4 with a 4.23 ERA, and he's never faced the Phillies. Either way gentlemen, I say that Tampa is the correct call and that the Phillies get caught looking ahead to their series at Cleveland starting on Friday. That said, at this price, my offical call is to grab Tampa on the runline option.

T.M. Prediction: 5-4 Tampa.

T.M. Selection: Toronto Blue Jays moneyline (FREE PLAY)

The Jays have lost the first two games of this three-game series and four straight overall. And with upcoming difficult series at Seattle, and then at home agaainst the Rays, Tigers and Padres, the road ahead definitely doesn't get any easier for Toronto. No one is crying for the Jays obviously. That said, I believe they have what it takes to stop the slide here and to bounce back against an Angels team that continues to get production at the plate despite slugger Mike Trout sidelined, winning 8-3 and 5-4 over the first two games. Chris Bassitt is 2-2 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.18 WHIP for the Jays and he's a great 7-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 14 appearances (12 starts) vs. LA. The home side goes with Jose Soriano (2-4, 3.83 ERA), who coems in off six scoreless vs. the Tigers, but who I believe will have his hands full with this desperate Jays teams and that he's simply in the "wrong place" at the "wrong time" this evening. Consider Toronto.

T.M. Prediction: 6-2 Toronto.

T.M. Selection: Wolves on the spread.

Favorites in the NBA Playoffs have had a difficult time this year, but now I believe that the Wolves will lay the hammer down on the Warriors in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup after Golden State shocked Minnesota in the 99-88 outright victory as a 6-point underdog. So what's the deal in Game 2? How could the Wolves possibly be favored by significantly more here in Game 2 despite getting dominated in Game 1? Easy answer: Warriors' star player Stephen Curry is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Suffice it to say, with the heart and soul of their team no longer shouldering the load and mental edge, I believe the Wolves can "smell the blood in the water." Minnesota and Anthony Edwards had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night as well, and I simply don't see that happening twice. This is a golden opportunity for Minnesota to regain control and momentum, and I expect them to do that here in Game 2, not only but winning large. Lay the points, Minnesota is the play!

T.M. Prediction: 111-80 Minnesota.