Sunday 3-31-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Members post your personal plays in the various sports forums @ IWS and our betting trackers!

NFL
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...3-NFL-Football (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?53-NFL-Football)

College Football
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...-NCAA-Football (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?54-NCAA-Football)

Baseball
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...57-ML-Baseball (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?57-ML-Baseball)

College Basketball
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...CAA-Basketball (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?55-NCAA-Basketball)

NBA
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...NBA-Basketball (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?56-NBA-Basketball)

NHL
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...?58-NHL-Hockey (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?58-NHL-Hockey)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CAPPERS ACCESS

(CBB) Auburn
(CBB) Duke
(MLB) Nationals

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park - Race 6

$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 6-7-8) $0.50 Late Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9) / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) $1 Rolling Super High 5 / $2 HRR (RED 4,5,1


Optional Claiming $40,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Downhill Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 105 • Purse: $57,000 • Post: 3:42P
(RAIL AT 10 FEET). DOWNHILL TURF FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $15,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $40,000. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING, OR STARTER ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $40,000 (NON-STARTERS FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $20,000 OR LESS IN THEIR LAST 3 STARTS PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * ERIC THE TROJAN: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. MR. TWIN ERY: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. BLITZKRIEG: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. MY MAN CHUCKLES: Horse ranks in t he top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. OISEAU DE GUERRE: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
4
ERIC THE TROJAN
6/1

6/1
11
MR. TWINERY
8/1

6/1
5
BLITZKRIEG
7/2

7/1
9
MY MAN CHUCKLES
4/1

8/1
10
OISEAU DE GUERRE
6/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
VIA EGNATIA
2

6/1
Front-runner
104

101

83.4

13.3

0.0
5
BLITZKRIEG
5

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
101

105

94.8

93.8

80.8
11
MR. TWINERY
11

8/1
Stalker
104

105

95.5

99.6

93.6
12
PASSIONATE REWARD
12

10/1
Stalker
95

96

86.0

96.4

87.9
10
OISEAU DE GUERRE
10

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
105

100

83.4

96.8

88.8
7
BUCKYS PICK
7

12/1
Alternator/Stalker
102

92

78.4

97.6

84.6
9
MY MAN CHUCKLES
9

4/1
Trailer
106

102

60.6

99.6

95.1
4
ERIC THE TROJAN
4

6/1
Trailer
110

102

55.4

102.8

96.8
1
GALLOPING MISCHIEF
1

8/1
Trailer
97

93

54.0

88.2

68.2
8
TASTE'S LEGEND
8

30/1
Alternator/Trailer
99

91

76.0

94.5

77.0
3
BIG BUZZ
3

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
95

94

71.1

89.1

73.1
6
MAJOR CABBIE
6

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
96

89

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)

Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse) - Race 4

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (.10 cent minimum wager) $1 Pick Three / $1 Daily Double


Claiming $5,000 • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 7:29P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2019. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (MAIDEN RACES AND RACES FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * PICK ONE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. BARGAINING: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. KENNY BENNY: Horse is droppin g in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. HAYNE'S PAL: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position.
5
PICK ONE
5/2

5/1
3
BARGAINING
6/1

6/1
1
KENNY BENNY
4/1

6/1
4
HAYNE'S PAL
4/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
HAYNE'S PAL
4

4/1
Front-runner
90

87

86.2

67.6

59.1
7
STRETCH
7

5/1
Front-runner
83

79

77.2

67.5

57.0
3
BARGAINING
3

6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
83

82

81.0

80.8

74.3
2
GUTSY STREAK
2

7/2
Stalker
92

75

80.8

79.8

69.3
1
KENNY BENNY
1

4/1
Stalker
93

84

74.3

82.6

79.1
6
GONE WITH IT
6

20/1
Stalker
88

81

74.3

77.0

67.0
5
PICK ONE
5

5/2
Alternator/Stalker
91

89

69.2

85.6

80.6

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Sunland Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Allowance - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $24300 Class Rating: 86

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 120 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 INTO MYSTIC 7/2

# 7 K P SLICKEM 3/1

# 6 PASSIVE 4/1

I've got to go with INTO MYSTIC. Has recorded reliable Equibase Speed Figures in dirt sprint races in the past. Will most likely be one of the front-runners of the group going into the halfway point of the contest. Is hard not to look at given the company run in recently. K P SLICKEM - Reason to like this filly as she has in the saddle one of the best jocks using winning percentages over the last 30 days. Could best this group of horses in this race based on the speed figure - 89 - of her last effort. PASSIVE - Look for a solid pace improvement from this equine who enters with second time Lasix today. Has been running admirably lately and will almost certainly be up near the front end early on.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #2 - Post: 12:55pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,700 Class Rating: 75

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#10 SHANGHAI SHUFFLE (ML=7/2)
#9 EXCLUSIVE EXPRESS (ML=4/1)
#7 SEMINARA (ML=8/1)
#2 MAKEYOURSELFATHOME (ML=8/1)


SHANGHAI SHUFFLE - This jockey/trainer duo has been producing a high win pct, right around 33. Looking at this filly's running lines, I see she's almost always in the top three. Have to make this filly a serious competitor; she comes off a nice outing on March 17th. EXCLUSIVE EXPRESS - This filly is in fine condition. Ran second on March 1st. SEMINARA - Have to like the way DaCosta has raced this mare back into shape off the layoff. Horse is well spotted in this sprint and I think she'll run well today. She has the uppermost (EPS) earnings per start. Take a long look at this horse. MAKEYOURSELFATHOME - Has unearthed a good situation this time.

Vulnerable Contenders: #11 PIKI PIKI GIRL (ML=5/1), #4 KWAINA (ML=6/1), #3 G Q GIRL (ML=6/1),

PIKI PIKI GIRL - This less than sharp equine hasn't won in her last ten efforts. She's not worth the value today. I cannot play this confirmed non-winner. Gets the task executed infrequently. KWAINA - The pace situation just isn't too promising for this speedball. Many other ponies would have to scratch to aid her dreams at winning. Finished third in her most recent effort with a somewhat easily forgotten speed figure. When I look at today's Equibase class figure, it would take an improved performance to score after that in this bunch. G Q GIRL - Showed very little in the last contest. Really don't see any chance of any betterment today. It appears like too much early zip is entered in this event. This early speedster will most likely get cooked on the top end. This steed ran a pedestrian rating in the last race. She shouldn't show signs of improvement and will probably get beat in today's race running that number.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#10 SHANGHAI SHUFFLE is going to be the play if we are getting 7/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
10 with [2,7,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
10 with [2,7,9] with [2,7,9] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
10 with [2,7,9] with [2,7,9] with [2,7,9] Total Cost: $6

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
[9,10] with [2,7,9,10] with [2,7,9,10] with [2,4,7,9,10,11] with [2,4,7,9,10,11] Total Cost: $72

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Oaklawn Park

03/31/19, OP, Race 7, 4.14 CT
6F [Dirt] 1.07.04 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $34,000.
Claiming Price $30,000. FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta - 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 251, Win Percent 27.89, $1 ROI 0.82, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are by race category and exclusive to OP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 11 My Girl Rocket 6-1 Eramia R E Broberg Karl 4.20 1.05 37.50 15 40
099.8140 10 Stormy Bray 5-1 Cohen D McKnight Norman T 3.80 1.05 27.78 10 36
099.2374 8 Wrinkled Rose 4-1 Morales E Van Meter William B. SFC
098.1706 13 Starvana 5-1 Birzer A Anderson Doug L. EL 8.80 1.08 36.36 20 55
098.0446 5 Peka 7/2 Santana. Jr. R Asmussen Steven M. J
097.9322 2 Tap That Cat 6-1 Vazquez R A Cox Brad H.
097.0851 12 Dusty Miller 10-1 Lara E Holthus Paul E. 3.80 1.05 27.78 10 36
095.6403 1 Veiled Vixen(b+) 12-1 Rocco. Jr. J Hobby Steve 8.80 1.08 36.36 20 55
095.6305 6 No Time to Play 12-1 Canchari A L Derryberry Mark W 25.60 1.21 40.00 24 60
093.9602 9 Miss Larissa 20-1 Birzer A Anderson Doug L.
093.6753 3 Take Charge Erica 12-1 Mojica O Shorter Aaron
093.2739 7 Come Getcha Some 20-1 Sanjur S Matthews Randy
089.8755 4 Battleship Mary 30-1 Quinonez L S Young Scott E.
P# 11 Last Race Not 3rd Race After 45 Days Off
P# 10 Horse Post Greater Than 9
P# 13 Last Race 2nd Race After 45 Days Off
P# 12 Horse Post Greater Than 9
P# 1 Last Race 2nd Race After 45 Days Off
P# 6 Horse Best Workouts

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Golden Gate Fields

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $17000 Class Rating: 73

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JANUARY 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 SECRET PARANOIA 5/1

# 4 COASTAL STARLITE 9/5

# 2 DAFNE WILDCAT 9/2

SECRET PARANOIA is my choice. Has put up reliable Equibase speed figs in dirt sprint races in the past. This filly has some longshot angles I like to bet on. COASTAL STARLITE - Her 68 average has this filly with among the best speed figs in this competition. Looks respectable for the conditions of this race today, showing solid figs in dirt sprint races recently. DAFNE WILDCAT - Trainers don't bring horses back this soon without any reason. With a nice class rating average of 75, has one of the strongest class advantages in this group.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turf Paradise - Race #8 - Post: 5:02pm - SO - 8.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $8,200 Class Rating: 95

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 WHY FRANK (ML=3/1)
#7 MAMBOCELLO (ML=8/1)


WHY FRANK - Lopez's agent must enjoy anytime Diodoro gives them a mount; win percentage together is out of sight. This trainer brings horses to the grass in shape and ready to win, winning over 20 percent of the time under similar conditions. This horse has a lot of class. A good sign in a turf race like we have today. Had a powerful closing move in the last race, running the last quarter in less than 25 seconds. A similar race today, and it's straight to the winner's circle. MAMBOCELLO - Came home fast last time around the track at Turf Paradise. That type of move bodes well for his chances in this race. I seem to always make money betting McFarlane horses on the turf. That barn has a solid win pct for this distance/surface. Look at this pattern of improvement. 74/77/86 are the last 3 speed figs.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 DUST ROLLER (ML=4/1), #10 KICKENIT (ML=9/2), #5 PRESIDENTSKY (ML=5/1),

DUST ROLLER - This vulnerable equine didn't do too much last time out of the box finishing fifth. Don't expect any betterment in today's event. KICKENIT - Not likely that the speed figure he notched on Mar 24th will be good enough in this event. PRESIDENTSKY - Mediocre speed figure last out at Turf Paradise at 1 mile. Don't feel this racer will improve too much in today's race.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #2 WHY FRANK to win if you can get at least 9/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
2 with 7 with [4,9,10] Total Cost: $3

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
2 with 7 with [3,4,6,9,10] with [3,4,6,9,10] Total Cost: $20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Aqueduct

03/31/19, AQU, Race 8, 5.21 ET
1M [Dirt] 1.32.02 STAKES. Purse $100,000.
Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Double
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 839, Win Percent 30.15, $1 ROI 0.89, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are by race category and exclusive to AQU.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 7 Cheatham Hill 8-1 Franco M Servis Jason T 140.60 1.60 19.49 23 118
098.6673 8 Flush 5-1 Maragh R McLaughlin Kiaran P. 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
098.5443 4 Shelley Ann 3-1 Gutierrez R Jerkens James A. FL 140.60 1.60 19.49 23 118
097.4645 6 Intoxicologist 6-1 Velazquez J R Nevin Michelle C 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
096.9334 9 Wadadli Princess 8-1 Lezcano J Kelly Patrick J. 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
095.9812 2 Pat's No Fool 10-1 Toledo J Capuano Gary 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
095.9442 5 Elegant Zip(b+) 7/2 Davis D Donk David G. SE 14.80 1.27 37.04 10 27
095.0340 10 Saratoga Style 30-1 Carmouche K Contessa Gary C. W 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
094.1040 3 Today Comes Once 12-1 Cancel E Contessa Gary C. 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
094.0349 1 Maiden Beauty 12-1 Alvarado J Contessa Gary C. J 140.60 1.60 19.49 23 118
P# 7 Last Race 5f Workout Since Last Race
P# 8 Race Age 3
P# 4 Last Race 5f Workout Since Last Race
P# 6 Race Age 3
P# 9 Race Age 3
P# 2 Race Age 3
P# 5 Horse Blinkers On From Off
P# 10 Race Age 3
P# 3 Race Age 3
P# 1 Last Race 5f Workout Since Last Race

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Michigan St Spartans vs. Duke Blue Devils Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NCAAB

Top-seeded Duke squeezed by its last two opponents in the final possession and faces an even bigger challenge Sunday when it battles red-hot second seed Michigan State in the East Region final at Washington D.C., for a trip to the Final Four. The Blue Devils survived two potential winning shots against Central Florida in the second round and Virginia Tech's attempt to tie in the final second Friday in the Region semifinal.

"Now that it's March Madness, every game is kind of going to be like this, close, hard-fought games," Duke freshman forward RJ Barrett told reporters after recording 18 points and a career-high 11 assists Friday. "And we somehow find a way to keep winning at the end. It's great and we're not surprised by it, but we've just got to keep it up." Blue Devils freshman phenom Zion Williamson scored 23 and added three blocks in the 75-73 victory over Virginia Tech and is averaging 26.8 points in six games since returning from a knee sprain, but Michigan State comes in with an eight-game winning streak and has won its three NCAA Tournament games by 48 points combined. The Spartans have gotten consistent performances from senior point guard Cassius Winston, who is averaging 18.7 points and seven assists in the tournament, and received career games from freshmen Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown to beat LSU 80-63 in Friday's Region semifinal. "Amazing," Winston told reporters after the win. "Just finally being in that position - the work we put in, the time we spent, the ups and downs we've been through. At the end of the day to have this moment, to have another opportunity to do some special things."

TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, CBS LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (31-6): The 6-foot-6 Henry is scoring just 6.0 per game overall, but registered career highs of 20 points along with six assists against LSU and told reporters: "It was one of those nights where I just felt like the basket was huge." Winston averages 18.8 points while shooting 40.2 percent from 3-point range and broke the program record for assists in a single season with 279, moving past Mateen Cleaves (274) on Friday. Second-leading active scorer Nick Ward (13.4), a junior forward, told reporters he expects to play Sunday despite falling on his left hand Friday and suffering a deep bone bruise.

ABOUT DUKE (32-5): Coach Mike Krzyzewski called Tre Jones' performance Friday "magnificent" after the freshman point guard registered season highs of 22 points and five made 3-pointers while handing out eight assists with no turnovers in 40 minutes. "These guys believed in me all year, especially after the last game with me struggling from 3," Jones told reporters. ". ... Coach kept telling me to take the shots and these guys kept telling me to take my shots. They were able to fall tonight." Freshman swingman Cam Reddish (13.6 points) was a late scratch Friday due to a knee injury and his status for Sunday is uncertain.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan State is looking to reach the Final Four for the 10th time while the Blue Devils seeks their 17th trip.

2. Duke sophomore G Alex O'Connell registered career highs with 35 minutes and seven rebounds in Friday's win.

3. Brown scored a career-high 15 off the bench Friday and Spartans sophomore F Xavier Tillman is averaging 14 points in the tournament.


PREDICTION: Duke 78, Michigan State 72

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Auburn Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NCAAB

SEC rivals Auburn and Kentucky have met 113 times on the court, but none have been as significant as Sunday's Midwest Region final in Kansas City, Mo. with a Final Four berth on the line. The fifth-seeded Tigers are the hottest team in college basketball with 11 straight wins and will be trying to take down their third consecutive giant of the sport after coasting past Kansas 89-75 in the second round and routing North Carolina 97-80 in Friday's Sweet 16.

However, Auburn will have to press forward without star sophomore Chuma Okeke, who suffered a torn ACL Friday night that loomed large over the otherwise historic win for the program. "I think Chuma is our most valuable player," Tigers point guard Jared Harper told reporters. "He rebounds and gets assists. He scores inside and outside. He can guard all five positions. He's always in the right spot." Auburn's last defeat was a 27-point setback at Kentucky, which survived a tense affair to get past Houston 62-58 in Friday's second game at the Sprint Center. Sophomore forward PJ Washington returned from a foot injury that caused him to miss the first two rounds and scored 16 points off the bench while delivering a big blocked shot down the stretch.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT AUBURN (29-9): The Tigers, in the Elite Eight for the second time in program history, have scored at least 80 points six times during their winning streak and shot 54.5 percent - including 17-of-37 from 3-point range - in the win over the Tar Heels. Okeke's 20 points led the way while five others reached double figures in scoring and Harper had nine points to go along with 11 assists. Danjel Purifoy, a junior forward who was 4-for-6 from beyond the arc in the Sweet 16, is expected to gobble up many of the available minutes left by Okeke, who is scheduled to have surgery next week.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (30-6): The Wildcats outshot the Tigers 54.5 percent to 32.8 percent in the last meeting while dominating the glass and limiting Auburn's potent perimeter game to eight 3-pointers, but they expect a very different challenge Sunday. "Eleven in a row. They're playing and shooting it. They're playing defense, getting their hands on balls," Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters of the Tigers before turning his attention to Washington, who had 24 points in the last matchup with Auburn. "You know, it was - you know, how they're playing and how we're playing. I mean it's good to have PJ back. We don't win the game today without him. We don't." Freshman guard Tyler Herro had a team-high 19 points against Houston and drilled the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute.

TIP-INS

1. Auburn is playing for its first Final Four berth. Kentucky is vying for its 18th - fifth in 10 seasons under Calipari.

2. Tigers senior G Bryce Brown leads his team in scoring at 15.8 per game - 16.3 in the tournament.

3. Wildcats freshman G Keldon Johnson is averaging eight points on 35 percent shooting in the last two games after scoring 25 points on 10-of-16 in the first-round win over Abilene Christian.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 77, Auburn 74

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Philips Arena Atlanta

The Milwaukee Bucks already have clinched the Central Division title and lead the Eastern Conference by four games, but the right ankle of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the focal point entering Sunday's visit to the Atlanta Hawks. The MVP candidate sprained his ankle on March 17 and re-aggravated the injury during Thursday's 128-118 victory over the Clippers, leading to speculation Milwaukee may need to give its star a breather before the playoffs.

"I've got to work through it while playing," Antetokounmpo told reporters after Thursday's game, in which he scored 34 points but did not play the final 7:46 after tweaking the ankle on a dunk. "I'll be ready to play until coach (Mike Budenholzer) tells me not to play." The Bucks bring a four-game winning streak into Atlanta, facing a Hawks team that had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 118-98 home defeat Friday to Portland. Rookie point guard Trae Young scored 18 points in the first quarter, but was limited to eight the rest of the way as the Hawks finished 9-of-38 from 3-point range. "I didn't shoot the ball well," Young told the media after hitting just 1-of-8 attempts from long range. "I started off early, but my shots weren't going in after that first quarter."

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE BUCKS (57-19): Antetokounmpo entered Saturday fifth in the NBA in scoring at 27.4 points per game and tied for sixth in rebounding at 12.5. Forward Khris Middleton comes in off a season-high 39 points Thursday on 16-of-24 shooting, his third 30-plus point outing of the season, and guard Sterling Brown matched a career high with 15 points. Milwaukee has won 44 games by 10-plus points and 77 percent of Bucks' victories this season have come by double digits, the second-highest percentage in NBA history.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (27-49): Atlanta ranks second in the league in points per game (119.3) and made 3-pointers (276) since the All-Star break. Young has reached 20-plus points in eight consecutive games, and moved past Dominique Wilkins and John Drew into second place in franchise history for most points scored by a rookie (1,444). Forward John Collins leads Atlanta in scoring at 19.3 points and 9.5 rebounds, and his 56.1 percent shooting from the field ranks 15th in the NBA.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta F Vince Carter scored nine points Friday and tied Karl Malone for fifth on the NBA's all-time games played list (1,476).

2. Brown is averaging 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 53.1 percent shooting from the field since returning from injury four games ago.

3. The Bucks have won the first two meetings this season while averaging 138.5 points per game.


PREDICTION Bucks 127, Hawks 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not firing on all cylinders as they try to clinch their spot in the Western Conference playoffs and battle for the best possible seed. The Thunder will try to avoid a seventh loss in nine games when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Oklahoma City dipped into eighth place in the West with a 115-105 home loss on Friday to the Denver Nuggets - a team it could face in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder are part of a four-team battle for the final four spots and are two games behind the fifth-place Utah Jazz but get the benefit of playing four of their final six games at home and the next two against teams out of the race - Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks dropped 17 of their last 20 games and could not insert themselves into a playoff race in the Eastern Conference while dropping a 105-99 decision to the Miami Heat in the opener of the two-game road trip on Thursday. "We played a great first half," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "The second half we didn't hit as many shots, but we had chances."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (29-46): Dallas dropped to 7-31 on the road with the loss in Miami and is trying to get the young players on the roster valuable experience down the stretch while also sending future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki out strong. Nowitzki scored 13 points in 28 minutes on Thursday to reach double figures for the second time in three games and knocked down three 3-pointers against the Heat. The other end of the NBA age spectrum is rookie Luka Doncic, who flirted with a third straight triple-double before finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on Thursday.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (44-32): Oklahoma City allowed Denver to shoot 56.5 percent from the floor and subsequently struggled to get out in transition. "The best attacking moments for this group is when we get stops and get out," All-Star forward Paul George told reporters. "A lot of teams like to load up, get into their help spots, shrink the floor against me and (Russell Westbrook). We got a lot more breathing room once we get stops and play in the open floor." George is battling a shoulder injury but logged at least 39 minutes in each of the last four games and averaged 28.5 points in that span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thunder C Steven Adams is 19-of-26 from the floor over the last two games after going 7-of-23 over the previous three contests.

2. Dallas PF Dwight Powell is averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds over the last two games.

3. The home team took each of the first three meetings, with Oklahoma City claiming a 122-102 victory on its own floor Dec. 31.


PREDICTION Thunder 112, Mavericks 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Smoothie King Center New Orleans

The specter of what could have been hangs over any battle between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers despite the uncertain status of superstar forward Anthony Davis. Davis sat two of the last three games and is considered day-to-day with a back injury as the Pelicans get set to host LeBron James and the Lakers on Sunday.

James and Los Angeles openly courted Davis prior to the trade deadline in negotiations that went public but ultimately led nowhere, and both superstars will sit out the postseason. While Davis is in and out of the lineup for New Orleans, James is still going strong and scored 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting to go with nine assists in a 129-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. "I said it after the game: 'We picked a hell of a time to have a great rhythm,'" James told reporters. "We're having fun, we're playing the way we wanted to play all year." The Pelicans are still battling as well and snapped a three-game slide with a 121-118 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday behind another big game from former Los Angeles power forward Julius Randle.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE LAKERS (34-42): Point guard Rajon Rondo handed out a season-high 17 assists to go with seven points, six rebounds and five steals in Friday's win and spoke after the game about his desire to remain with Los Angeles next season. "I don't know what the future holds as far as the summer -- if I come back, or who else comes back or if I don't come back," Rondo told ESPN. "Those things are out of my control. But at the same time, it's a great organization. I can't say enough about the staff and the people who work here. They're really kind and helpful, so I want to continue, if I can, help this organization grow." Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a free-agent-to-be as well and showed off with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting in Friday's win.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (32-45): Randle exploded for 34 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday's victory and is averaging 24.4 points in March, over three more than his season mark (21.2). The 24-year-old Kentucky product knocked down three 3-pointers in Thursday's win and is shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc. "It's cool. It's what I worked so hard for in the summer," Randle told reporters. "Shooting the ball, expanding my offensive game, being more versatile. I have a lot I can get better at, too. That is what's the more exciting thing, that I've gotten better from last year, but I've got a lot more I can (improve). That's the exciting part for me."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans PF Christian Wood scored a career-high 25 points on Thursday and is averaging 24 over the last two contests.

2. Lakers SG Lance Stephenson collected 14 points and 13 rebounds on Friday for his first double-double of the season.

3. The home team took each of the last five meetings, with New Orleans earning a 128-115 home win on Feb. 23.


PREDICTION: Lakers 125, Pelicans 118

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled AT&T Center San Antonio

The San Antonio Spurs have clinched a playoff berth for the 22nd straight season but still have plenty for which to play in terms of positioning in the Western Conference. They will try to keep pace in the tightly packed postseason race when they host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

The Kings' 119-108 loss at Houston on Saturday locked up the playoff spot for the Spurs, who are in seventh place in the West but just 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for sixth and trail fifth-place Utah by two. San Antonio opened its current three-game homestand with a 116-110 victory over Cleveland on Thursday, riding DeMar DeRozan's 25 points to its 11th win in 14 contests. Sacramento was the last remaining team in the West with a mathematical chance of catching the Spurs or Oklahoma City for a postseason berth but had no answer on Saturday for James Harden, who scored 50 points for the Rockets. Bogdan Bogdanovic recorded 24 points to lead the Kings, who still can avoid a 13th straight losing season with a strong finish.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE KINGS (37-39): Bogdanovic also registered a career-high nine rebounds and eight assists to flirt with his first career triple-double in the loss at Houston. He was 5-for-7 from beyond the arc to lead Sacramento's 51.7 percent showing, which is tied for the team's second-highest 3-point percentage this season. The Kings also made 24-of-56 attempts from long distance while shooting 52.8 percent overall in their two wins over the Spurs in 2018-19.

ABOUT THE SPURS (44-32): DeRozan made 10-of-12 shots and handed out a team-high eight assists in Thursday's victory as San Antonio rebounded from a 1-2 road trip. "Being more aggressive," DeRozan told reporters of the team's effort. "We just came out with a more conscious effort of being aggressive. That's what we did, and we can't wait to do that. We waited and made it tough on ourselves, but we pulled it through." Bryn Forbes chipped in 19 points and has played 63 turnover-free minutes over his last two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. San Antonio has won 11 straight home meetings with Sacramento.

2. Kings PF Marvin Bagley III has reached the 20-point mark in five of his last eight games.

3. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has registered 1,408 wins - including playoffs - and is five shy of matching Lenny Wilkens' all-time record.

PREDICTION: Spurs 113, Kings 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Pepsi Center Denver

The Denver Nuggets are tied for the top spot in the Western Conference with the defending champion Golden State Warriors and traded terrible losses with solid wins in their last four games. The Nuggets will try to find some consistency at home when they host the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Denver followed up a 124-88 loss at Indiana with a win over Detroit, only to drop a 112-85 decision at Houston on Thursday and recover by knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-105 on Friday. "After the tough loss last night, we needed to give our best game," All-Star center Nikola Jokic told reporters after posting 23 points and 16 rebounds against the Thunder. "We know that they are an extremely talented and physical team that never gives up. We were playing really good basketball tonight." The Wizards were eliminated from postseason contention while dropping six of their last seven games but aren't giving up on the season and took the Utah Jazz down to the wire before suffering a 128-124 road loss on Friday. "I know we're going to keep competing," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "We've got guys that are going to play hard. Brad (Beal) has led us all year in some tough situations and we've competed. We haven't got enough wins that we would like but we're right there with a lot of teams and just a couple of plays down the stretch and a lot of our games, but it's about growing and learning and competing and we're going to continue to do that these last five (games)."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (31-46): Instead of sitting starters to rest after being eliminated from contention, Washington is pushing to the finish and Beal led the way with 34 points on 13-of-25 shooting while adding six assists and a pair of steals on Friday. Center Thomas Bryant is making the most of the rest of the season as well and followed up an 18-point, 19-rebound effort in a win at Phoenix on Wednesday with 11 points and 12 boards on Friday. Power forward Bobby Portis is settling in nicely with his new team and knocked down six 3-pointers to go with 28 points and 13 rebounds against the Jazz.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (51-24): Denver point guard Jamal Murray scored 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting and handed out nine assists in Friday's win. "This might have been Jamal's best game, complete game in a Nuggets uniform," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters. "I loved how he played tonight. That's the Jamal Murray we need every night moving forward." Murray is averaging 26.7 points over the last three games and did not commit a turnover in either of the last two contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards SF Trevor Ariza (groin) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Jokic posted a double-double in six of the last seven games.

3. Denver earned a 113-108 victory at Washington on March 21 with Murray and Jokic scoring 15 points apiece.


PREDICTION: Nuggets 116, Wizards 112

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Oracle Arena Oakland

The Golden State Warriors are fighting for the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference and are as feisty as ever as they march toward their third consecutive championship. The Warriors will try to bounce back from a tough loss at the expense of a team fighting for a playoff spot when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

The Warriors made a furious comeback in the final minute of overtime at Minnesota on Friday to put themselves in a position to win or at least force a second extra period, only to have a series of dubious calls go against them. "It's just tough when your effort like that gets sabotaged for sure," Golden State superstar Stephen Curry, who buried a 3-pointer to tie it with 0.5 seconds left in overtime, told reporters. "I've been back there looking at those calls over and over and over again and still don't understand either one of them." The Hornets are trying to hang on in the race for a playoff spot in the East and suffered a disappointment when a four-game winning streak came to an end with a 129-115 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Charlotte goes into play on Saturday two games behind the eighth-place Miami Heat and 2 1/2 behind seventh-place Brooklyn.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (35-40): Charlotte allowed the Lakers to shoot 56 percent from the floor and knock down 18 3-pointers in Friday's loss. "Defensively, we just could not get stops," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters. "They didn't feel us all night on the other end. They got the shots they wanted. You have to give the Lakers credit. They made shots tonight, but I think our physicality defensively, we have to come to compete a little bit more on that end of the floor." All-Star guard Kemba Walker went 1-of-7 from 3-point range in the loss and is 5-of-22 from beyond the arc over the last three contests.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (51-24): Curry's 3-pointer in the corner came after a 3-pointer by Kevin Durant - during which he was fouled - was waived off after the refs decided that the foul came before the shot. "Marat was his name?" Durant asked reporters, speaking of referee Marat Kogut. "He was the best player on the floor tonight. He made sure that - he's so good with his whistle that he knew they were gonna foul me, and he called it right before I shot the ball. So, he's one of the greatest refs of all time." The loss dropped the Warriors into a tie for first place with the Nuggets, who visit Golden State on Tuesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Curry is averaging 30.3 points over the last three games and is 22-of-41 from 3-point range in that span.

2. Hornets SG Jeremy Lamb went 1-of-11 from the floor in Friday's setback.

3. Golden State earned a 121-110 victory at Charlotte on Feb. 25 behind 26 points from SG Klay Thompson.

PREDICTION: Warriors 115, Hornets 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

The Los Angeles Clippers opened a favorable four-game homestand with a runaway win and now set their sights on another lesser opponent when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Montrezl Harrell led six players in double figures with 23 points on Saturday as the Clippers shot a season-high 62.4 percent in a 132-108 rout of lowly Cleveland.

Los Angeles has won 12 of its last 14 contests and sits one-half game behind fifth-place Utah in the Western Conference playoff race and three back of Houston, which visits on Wednesday. "We're playing at a real high level right now," Clippers guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "We're moving the ball and it's fun. We're defending, so we really don't care who we play." The Grizzlies have long been out of contention for a playoff spot, but they are competing down the stretch and have recorded eight wins in the last 15 games. Jonas Valanciunas scored a career-high 34 points and Mike Conley recorded 33 in a 120-115 comeback win at Phoenix on Saturday in the opener of Memphis' four-game road trip.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (31-45): Memphis fell behind by 15 points after one quarter on Saturday and still trailed with under five minutes remaining before closing with a 16-9 run to snap a four-game road slide. Valanciunas grabbed 20 rebounds just five games after hauling in a career-high 24 in a loss to Orlando and has posted six straight double-doubles. Conley is finishing with a flourish as he has scored at least 20 points in nine consecutive contests while recording no more than one turnover in seven of those games.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (46-31): JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple were a big part of the hot-shooting effort on Saturday, combining to go 13-for-14 from the floor while making all five of their 3-point attempts. "We got the job done," coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "I thought a lot of guys played well. When you shoot 62 percent, offensively you don't have a lot to say." Shai Gilgeous-Alexander buried his only three 3-point shots en route to 22 points while handing out a team-high eight assists.

WALK-OFFS

1. Harrell averaged 26 points in two wins over Memphis this season but was held to eight in the Clippers' one loss to the Grizzlies.

2. Memphis PG Delon Wright made a career-high five steals on Saturday and has recorded multiple thefts in four straight games.

3. Clippers SF Danilo Gallinari (ankle) missed Saturday's contest and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Clippers 118, Grizzlies 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NHL

The Philadelphia Flyers can complete a season sweep of the visiting New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon, but their motivational level will be in question after they were officially elimination from postseason contention on Saturday. Philadelphia has won six in a row over New York and allowed two goals in taking all three meetings this season.

The Flyers kept their faint playoff hopes alive with Wednesday's 5-4 shootout victory over Toronto but absorbed the knockout blow in Saturday's 5-2 setback at Carolina. It was the sixth defeat in nine games for Philadelphia, following an 18-4-2 surge that had propelled the team into contention. The Rangers were stumbling to the finish line with 13 losses in 15 games before roaring back from a two-goal deficit to knock off playoff-bound St. Louis 4-2 on Friday night. "Every September there's a whole new ball of optimism, but it is always important to compete and do things the right way," New York defenseman Marc Staal told reporters. "People may not realize it, but the seeds for next season are being planted now."

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC

ABOUT THE RANGERS (30-34-13): New York went more than a month without scoring more than three goals in back-to-back games and among the culprits was forward Jimmy Vesey, who ended a 13-game dry spell by delivering the tiebreaking tally in Friday's victory. "I think it was big mentally, I've been in a little bit of a drought," Vesey told reporters. "End of the year, you want to end on a high note and I think that goes for individually and as a team." Pavel Buchnevich has scored seven times in 13 contests and is riding a six-game point streak.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (37-33-8): Following Saturday's loss, coach Scott Gordon pointed to the slew of injuries at the most important position, forcing Philadelphia to use a league-record eight goaltenders this season. "When you look at most of the teams that are in the playoffs, it's two or three goalies, max," Gordon told reporters. "How many points were lost because of that being unsettled? The points that get lost ... is the difference of not being in the playoffs." Rookie netminder Carter Hart, who sparked the midseason surge, has yet to face New York.

OVERTIME

1. Flyers captain Claude Giroux netted his 235th career goal, moving into a tie with Rod Brind'Amour for 10th on the team's all-time list.

2. Rangers F Chris Kreider scored for the first time in 12 games Friday to move within one of his career high of 28 goals.

3. Flyers F James van Riemsdyk has nine points in as many games after collecting two assists Saturday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Flyers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Wild vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NHL

The Minnesota Wild visit the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday for what is a virtual elimination contest in the Western Conference wild-card race with four games left in the regular season. Arizona trails Colorado by three points for the second wild card after losing 3-2 in a shootout at the Avalanche on Friday and Minnesota remained four back with a huge 3-2 win at Vegas later the same night.

"I thought we had a good mindset," Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk told reporters after reaching 30 wins for the fifth straight season Friday. "You've got to have that sense of urgency and understanding it's a must-win games, but we can't change what we're doing. We all know what we need to do to be able to play, and we did that." Minnesota leading scorer Zach Parise has missed three straight games and is questionable for Saturday due to a lower-body injury, but veteran center Eric Staal has scored twice and set up another in the past three contests. The Coyotes, who split two one-goal games at Minnesota earlier this season, rallied with two goals from defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Friday to tie before going 0-for-3 in the bonus format to drop to 1-3-3 in their last seven games. "You can figure out the math," Arizona coach Rick Tocchet told reporters after the loss. "We needed two (points), but we got one to stay alive. Four games are left, and we need every point and every bit of help from other teams. We didn't give up. Oliver did a great job of getting us back in the game."

TV: 5 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin, FS North Plus (Minnesota), FS Arizona Plus

ABOUT THE WILD (36-33-9): Left wing Kevin Fiala recorded his third goal in his 15th game since coming over in a trade with Nashville on Friday and defenseman Greg Pateryn scored his first of the season in the victory at Vegas. Ryan Suter is third on the team with 46 points - five from his career high - but has not hit the scoresheet in his last four games while fellow defenseman Jared Spurgeon already owns career bests of 14 goals and 43 points. Left wing Jason Zucker snapped a five-game point drought with two assists Friday and reached 40 points for the third straight season with 41.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (37-33-8): Ekman-Larsson is second on the team with 43 points after posting three goals and an assist in the past four contests while forward Clayton Keller leads the way with 46, but has been kept off the scoresheet in five straight games. Alex Galchenyuk has also cooled off with just one of 39 points in his last six games and fellow forwards Derek Stepan, along with Richard Panik, are pointless in the past five contests. Goalie Darcy Kuemper continues to shine, allowing just 15 goals in his last nine games despite managing just a 3-3-3 record in that stretch.

OVERTIME

1. The Wild is 8-for-25 on the power play the past eight games after scoring twice with the man advantage Friday.

2. Arizona F Vinnie Hinostroza had gone without a point for six games before recording a pair of assists Friday.

3. The Coyotes signed C Nick Schmaltz, who is out for the season with a lower-body injury, to a seven-year contract Saturday.

PREDICTION: Coyotes 3, Wild 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes not only strengthened their grip on the top wild card in the Eastern Conference but bolstered their chances to sneak into the top three in the Metropolitan Division. After halting a two-game skid with Saturday's 5-2 win over Philadelphia, Carolina visits Pittsburgh on Sunday with a chance to pull into a tie with the third-place Penguins.

Seeking to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2008-09, the Hurricanes rebounded from back-to-back losses to Metropolitan-leading Washington to stay ahead of Columbus and Montreal for seventh in the conference. "You want to play in these games and in the playoffs and it's a lot more fun now to be doing that," defenseman Dougie Hamilton told reporters after Carolina posted its 19th victory in 28 games (19-8-1) since the All-Star break. The Penguins had their three-game winning streak halted in Friday's 3-1 home loss to Nashville, squandering both a chance to keep pace with the New York Islanders for second in the division and forcing them to look over their shoulder at the Hurricanes. "At the end of the day we have to find a way to win the game," captain Sidney Crosby told reporters of Sunday's matchup. "Late in the season like this every point is important, but especially against a team that is right there with us."

TV: 5 p.m. ET, NHL Network, FS Carolina, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (43-28-7): Carolina entered Saturday's pivotal matchup against Philadelphia in an 0-for-15 rut on the power play in the previous nine games, but it converted on both opportunities with the man advantage to ignite the victory. "The power play came through big," captain Justin Williams told reporters. "Hopefully it will be a stepping stone to better things. Seeing the puck go in today was important." Hamilton scored his 16th goal overall and 13th since the start of the calendar year Saturday - the most among NHL defensemen in that span.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (42-25-11): There was a welcome site at Saturday's practice as center Evgeni Malkin, out the past six games due to an upper-body injury, skated with the team wearing a non-contact jersey. "The more games (I play before playoffs) is better, but I can't rush right now," Malkin told reporters. "There are four games left and I can't play all of them, maybe one or two. It's good for me if I can play two or three games. We'll see how I feel (on Monday)." Phil Kessel had an assist Friday to give him five during a three-game point streak.

OVERTIME

1. Carolina has won two of the three meetings this season, including a 3-2 shootout victory on March 19 and a 4-0 shutout in Pittsburgh on Feb. 5.

2. Crosby, who is mired in an eight-game goal drought, has four assists in three matchups versus Carolina this season.

3. Hurricanes F Teuvo Teravainen netted his 20th goal Saturday, the first time since 2009-10 that more than three players have scored 20 with the team.

PREDICTION: Penguins 3, Hurricanes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NHL

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been on fire of late and will be a team with which to be reckoned in the postseason, but they have to get there first. Columbus attempts to strengthen its chances for a playoff spot when it vies for a fifth straight victory Sunday against the host Buffalo Sabres.

The Blue Jackets lost three in a row (0-2-1) prior to their winning streak, which was extended with Saturday's 5-2 triumph in Nashville. Cam Atkinson scored twice while Artemi Panarin recorded four assists for Columbus, which has the advantage over Montreal for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference and sits one point behind Carolina for the first spot. The Blue Jackets also have a shot at third place in the Metropolitan Division as it trails Pittsburgh by three points with four games remaining. Buffalo begins a three-game homestand with hopes of halting a slide that reached six games (0-5-1) with Saturday's 5-1 road setback against the New York Islanders.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, TVA, FS Ohio (Columbus), MSG (Buffalo)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (44-30-4): Atkinson's first goal on Saturday was his 40th of the season, marking the first time in his career he has reached the plateau. Panarin's performance against the Predators was one to remember as he set career highs in assists (56) and points (83), eclipsing the marks of 55 and 82, respectively, that he recorded last season. The 27-year-old Russian also reached a milestone on Saturday as his third assist of the game was his 200th in the NHL.

ABOUT THE SABRES (31-37-10): Victor Olofsson is doing his best to prove he deserves a roster spot next season, as he recorded an assist in his NHL debut against Detroit on Thursday and scored his first career goal in the loss to the Islanders. The 23-year-old Swede, who was a seventh-round pick in the 2014 draft, registered 27 tallies and 33 assists in 64 games with Rochester of the American Hockey League this season. Kyle Okposo is one assist shy of 300 for his career while Jeff Skinner, who is one goal away from setting a new career high of 38, needs two assists to reach 200 in the NHL.

OVERTIME

1. Blue Jackets C Boone Jenner scored on Saturday to get within one point of 200 for his career.

2. Buffalo has not won in regulation since Feb. 23, going 2-13-2 during a span that includes one overtime victory and one shootout win.

3. Columbus RW Oliver Bjorkstrand is riding a four-game goal-scoring streak and has scored six in as many contests to reach 20 for the first time in his career.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NHL

The Boston Bruins look to rebound from their first loss in 13 contests on home ice when they begin a three-game road trip against the suddenly hot Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night. The Bruins dropped a 4-1 decision against visiting Florida on Saturday for just their second loss in seven games overall and leads Toronto, who played later Saturday, by six points for second place in Atlantic Division along with home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

Boston's lethal top line of Brad Marchand (10 points, last five games), Patrice Bergeron (six goals, 12 points, last seven) and David Pastrnak (five goals, 11 points, last five) were blanked Saturday, but will be a load to handle for a Detroit defense that ranks 25th in goals against (3.29). The Red Wings, who beat the Bruins two of the first three meetings this season, have been a tough out lately despite sitting 28th in the league in points, winning four straight and six of seven after blanking New Jersey 4-0 on Friday. Leading scorer Dylan Larkin (31 goals, 37 assists) has scored in three straight games (four total) and boasts a four-game point streak while enjoying a positive feeling in the locker room. "There's been a loose atmosphere in here and it's helped our team," Larkin told the Detroit Free Press. "We have a lot of young guys but we are feeling relaxed and we're clicking. Guys are playing for something and I hope they're showing management that they want to be here next year."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE BRUINS (47-22-9): Marchand posted a minus-3 rating and three shots Saturday, remaining three points shy of his first season with 100, while Bergeron needs one goal to set a career high of 33. Defenseman Torey Krug boasts three assists in two games since returning from a concussion and forward Marcus Johansson has been kept off the scoresheet in two contests after coming back from a lung contusion. Tuukka Rask turned aside 19 shots Saturday, which will give Jaroslav Halak a chance to extend his winning streak to four in the second of a back-to-back.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (30-38-10): Larkin has four goals and two assists during his point streak while fellow forward Andreas Athanasiou scored twice and set up two others in the past four contests to reach 50 points for the first time in his career. Anthony Mantha has seven points in his last four contests and Tyler Bertuzzi boasts seven in a three-game span, with both one goal away from 20 for the season. Left wing Thomas Vanek (abdomen) is likely to miss his fourth straight contest and center Frans Nielsen (concussion) could miss his second straight.

OVERTIME

1. Red Wings G Jimmy Howard has won four straight starts, allowing eight goals combined in the process.

2. Boston F Chris Wagner (career-high 12 goals) won the club's 7th Player Award, given to the Bruin who exceeds expectations as voted on by the fans.

3. Detroit D Jake Chelios, the son of Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, had one shot and a plus-1 rating in 17:11 during his NHL debut Friday.

PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NHL

One day after relying on another team to help them clinch both the Pacific Division and Western Conference, the Calgary Flames attempt to take care of business themselves when they begin a three-game road trip Sunday against the San Jose Sharks. Calgary was prevented from clinching both crowns on Saturday as San Jose remained in contention by edging Vegas 4-3 in overtime.

The Flames, who are six points ahead of the division-rival Sharks with four games remaining, salvaged the finale of their three-game homestand on Friday as they spotted Anaheim the first goal before reeling off six in a row after totaling one in their previous two contests. Sean Monahan registered two tallies and two assists while Derek Ryan recorded one of each for the Flames, who produced only two goals during a three-game road losing streak before winning 3-1 in Vancouver on March 23. San Jose looks to break even on its four-game homestand after defenseman Brent Burns scored a power-play goal 22 seconds into the extra session on Saturday to end the team's seven-game skid (0-6-1). Logan Couture notched a pair of assists for the second straight game for the Sharks, who secured home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with the win.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Calgary), NBCS California (San Jose)

ABOUT THE FLAMES (48-23-7): Ryan's goal against the Ducks was his 10th of the season, giving Calgary 11 players with double-digit totals - with defenseman TJ Brodie one tally away from making it a dozen. Captain Mark Giordano scored his 129th career goal on Friday to pass Gary Suter for second place in Flames history among blue-liners behind Al MacInnis (213). Monahan had gone five games without a point before the outburst versus Anaheim during which he set a career high in goals (33).

ABOUT THE SHARKS (44-25-9): Couture increased his assist total this season to 42, eclipsing the previous career high of 40 he recorded in 2014-15. Evander Kane scored his 29th goal in Saturday's win to match his total from last season and pull within one of the career high he set in 2011-12 with Winnipeg. Tomas Hertl is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak and has netted four tallies in five contests while Burns has landed on the scoresheet in six of his last seven games.

OVERTIME

1. Monahan has recorded at least five game-winning goals in four of his last five seasons.

2. San Jose D Brenden Dillon needs two points to reach 100 for his career.

3. Calgary LW Johnny Gaudreau, who leads the team with a career-high 94 points, is one assist away from matching the personal best of 60 he recorded last season.

PREDICTION: Flames 3, Sharks 0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The New York Yankees won 100 games last season and have the firepower to do so again in 2019, while the Baltimore Orioles are completely at the other end of the spectrum, but that hasn't meant much at Yankee Stadium lately. The Orioles will try to steal a season-opening series win when they visit the Yankees in the rubber match of their three-game set Sunday afternoon.

With Saturday's 5-3 triumph, Baltimore -- which lost a franchise-record 115 games a year ago -- improved to 6-5 in the Bronx since the start of 2018, compared to 19-62 in all other road venues, while picking up the first career win for rookie manager Brandon Hyde. "I was just proud of our guys, I thought they played great," Hyde told the media. ". ... Just really proud of how our pitchers did. Thought we did some really good things offensively, putting pressure on the defense and taking extra bases, competing at the plate. And then play defense. That's what we talked about all along, to be able to minimize damage and make the routine plays, and we did that." Catcher Jesus Sucre had three hits and three RBIs to lead the way for the Orioles, who are at .500 for the first time since starting 1-1 last season. New York left 11 runners on base and grounded into two double plays in Saturday's loss.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (2018: 8-16, 5.45 ERA) vs. Yankees LH J.A. Happ (2018: 17-6, 3.65)

Bundy made a career-high 31 starts and struck out 184 batters in 171 2/3 innings last season, but he also gave up a major league-high 41 home runs and tied for the American League lead in losses. The Oklahoma native was 2-7 with a 7.11 ERA in 13 starts after the All-Star break. Luke Voit has a home run and a walk in two plate appearances versus Bundy, who is 2-5 with a 6.18 ERA in nine career games (seven starts) against the Yankees.

Happ was 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts with New York after a midseason trade with Toronto. He faced the Orioles five times and limited them to six runs in 29 innings while striking out 37, winning all three of his decisions. The 36-year-old served up six home runs in 11 1/3 innings during spring training.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Troy Tulowitzki slugged his first home run with the team Saturday after recording a double in the opener Thursday.

2. Orioles RHP Alex Cobb (groin) pitched in a minor league exhibition game Friday and is scheduled to start the team's home opener Thursday against New York.

3. Yankees CF Aaron Hicks (back) is set to resume baseball activities soon, manager Aaron Boone told reporters.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Orioles 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The Toronto Blue Jays are only three games into the season and are already within one shutout of matching their pitching staff's total from 2018. Toronto will look to continue its dominant pitching when it sends rookie right-hander Trent Thornton to the mound in Sunday's finale of a four-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers.

After dropping a 2-0 decision in 10 innings on Opening Day, the Blue Jays have registered back-to-back shutouts and held Detroit scoreless in 27 of 28 innings in the series. "A lot of people around the league don't really see the same views as we do here in the clubhouse," right-hander Aaron Sanchez said after Saturday's 3-0 win. "It will be a grind all year in terms of that, but I think we're up for the task and three games in, it's showing." The Tigers have managed only 11 hits in the series ("Everybody wants to hit a five-run homer with one guy on base," manager Ron Gardenhire said) and saw slugger Miguel Cabrera exit Saturday's game after getting plunked on the right hand by a pitch. X-rays were negative but Cabrera's status for Sunday is unclear for Detroit, which was blanked a major league-high 18 times last year.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, Sportsnet (Toronto), TVAS (Toronto), OMNI (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matt Moore (2018: 3-8, 6.79 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Trent Thornton (NR)

Moore pitched primarily out of the bullpen for the Texas Rangers last season but will get a chance to stick in the rotation with Detroit, which signed him to a one-year contract in December. A former All-Star with Tampa Bay prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery, the 29-year-old surrendered 19 homers in only 102 innings and allowed opposing batters to hit a robust .305 against him last season. Justin Smoak is 2-for-12 against Moore, who is 5-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) versus Toronto.

Injuries to projected starters Ryan Borucki and Clay Buchholz opened a spot in the rotation, giving the rookie Thornton the opportunity to make an impression in his major-league debut. The 25-year-old spent last season at Triple-A Fresno and compiled a 9-8 record with a 4.42 ERA while averaging nearly a strikeout an inning in 24 appearances (22 starts). Acquired in a trade with Houston for Aledmys Diaz in November, Thornton is 32-19 over four seasons in the minors.

WALK-OFFS

1. Smoak belted a two-run homer Saturday and is 3-for-7 with four RBIs in the last two games.

2. Cabrera collected hit No. 2,678 on Saturday, moving him past Luis Aparicio and into second all-time among Venezuelan-born players.

3. Toronto's starters have opened the season with 19 scoreless innings, more than doubling the previous franchise record of eight.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Tigers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Rockies vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

After mustering a total of four runs and six hits over their first two games of 2019, the Miami Marlins needed only four innings to surpass both of those marks en route to their first victory of the season. The Marlins attempt to build upon a breakout offensive performance and salvage a split of a four-game series Sunday when they host the Colorado Rockies.

Miami belted four solo homers over its first two contests but could do little else at the plate as Colorado recorded a 6-3 win on Opening Day and 6-1 triumph Friday, but the Marlins pounded out 16 hits and went 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position to cruise to a 7-3 win Saturday. Miguel Rojas doubled twice among his three hits and drove in three runs for the Marlins, while Martin Prado, Lewis Brinson and Chad Wallach combined for seven hits and five runs scored. Charlie Blackmon, who tallied two hits and knocked in a run in a losing cause Saturday, has five hits in nine at-bats over the last two games after going hitless in the season opener. Ryan McMahon singled twice and has reached base safely in six of his 12 plate appearances, while Nolan Arenado went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games dating back to last season.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet - Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (2018: 12-9, 5.12 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (2018: 2-3, 3.44)

Gray, who ranks seventh in club history with 520 strikeouts despite having spent only 3 1/2 years in the big leagues, set career highs in starts (31), innings pitched (172 1/3) and wins. The Oklahoma native showed he might be ready to improve on those numbers during exhibition play, posting a 3.48 ERA and .208 batting average against while fanning 26 over 20 2/3 innings. Gray only saw the Marlins once in 2018, earning the win after striking out a season-high 12 over seven innings.

Alcantara made his case to remain in the rotation this season following a solid showing in five starts after getting called up for the final time Sept. 1, going 1-3 with a 3.72 ERA and holding opponents to a .218 batting average. The 23-year-old was particularly sharp at home in his first season with Miami, posting a 2-1 mark and 2.25 ERA. Alcantara, who fanned 21 across 15 1/3 innings during spring training, will face Colorado for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies 1B Daniel Murphy, who remained in the game Friday after hurting himself in the fourth inning while diving to stop a sharp grounder, was diagnosed with a fractured left index finger Saturday and is out indefinitely.

2. Miami has won 15 of its last 21 home games against Colorado, suffering only one series loss at Marlins Park to the Rockies since the venue opened in 2012.

3. Colorado OF David Dahl is 5-for-11 to begin the season, recording exactly one extra-base hit and one RBI in each contest.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Marlins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates cannot complain of fatigue in the season's first weekend, getting two days off after a dramatic back-and-forth affair on Opening Day. Friday's regularly scheduled day off was followed by a postponement due to rain Saturday, giving the Reds a chance to sweep an abbreviated two-game home series on Sunday.

Cincinnati made a bevy of moves to upgrade the roster in the offseason but one of the under-the-radar acquisitions struck the key blow in Thursday's 5-3 win. Pinch-hitter Derek Dietrich, who spent his first six seasons with Miami, made a dramatic debut for the Reds with a tiebreaking three-run home run to give new manager David Bell his first major-league victory. Center fielder Starling Marte, who was a late scratch in Thursday's game due to a migraine headache, is expected back in the lineup for Pittsburgh, which has had a postponement in its season-opening series for the third straight year. Thursday's loss was only the sixth in the last 20 meetings for the Pirates, who will send Trevor Williams - a 14-game winner last year -- to the mound against fellow right-hander Sonny Gray.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (2018: 14-10, 3.11 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sonny Gray (2018: 11-9, 4.90)

Williams pitched superbly over the second half of last season, posting an 8-3 record and 1.29 ERA over his last 13 starts, including eight scoreless appearances. In doubling his victory total from the previous season, the 26-year-old won both of his starts against the Reds, giving up two runs over 12 innings, to improve to 3-1 with a 3.78 ERA lifetime against them. First baseman Joey Votto has been a nemesis for Williams, going 8-for-17 with three doubles while Jesse Winkler is 4-for-6.

Gray never lived up to expectations during his 1 1/2-year stint with the New York Yankees and was shipped to Cincinnati as part of a three-team trade in January. A two-time 14-game winner during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics, Gray finished 11-9 with an exorbitant 4.90 ERA last season and finished the season pitching out of the bullpen. Although he has pitched in the American League his entire career, the 29-year-old has been taken deep twice by Corey Dickerson (5-for-17).

WALK-OFFS

1. Saturday's game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Memorial Day (May 27).

2. Marte was 10-for-27 with three homers in six games at Great American Ball Park last season.

3. Votto is one home run shy of tying Adam Dunn (270) for fourth place on the franchise's all-time list.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to contend in the American League this season and opening the campaign with a series win over the Houston Astros is a good step in the right direction. The Rays will try to polish off that series victory when they host the Astros in the finale of a four-game set on Sunday.

Tampa Bay dropped the season opener 5-1 with ace Blake Snell on the mound but bounced back behind the pitching staff in the next two contests while holding the Astros to a total of three runs. The bottom of the Rays' lineup did the bulk of the damage in Saturday's 3-1 triumph, with No. 8 hitter Kevin Kiermaier doubling in a run in the fifth inning and coming home when No. 9 hitter Michael Perez followed with a single. The struggling Houston lineup should get a boost on Sunday with the return of shortstop Carlos Correa, who battled a back injury last season and sat out the first three games with a sore neck. "I'm super excited, man," Correa told reporters. "It's going to be my first game (in a long time) where I'm healthy, so for me, that's the most important thing. My back's never been a problem ever since I finished my whole rehab in the offseason. Spring Training felt great. I felt 100 percent, felt strong and flexible and was hitting the ball hard again. ... I am really excited about this year."

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wade Miley (2018: 5-2, 2.57 ERA) vs. Rays RH Yonny Chirinos (2018: 5-5, 3.51)

Miley resurrected his career in 16 starts with Milwaukee down the stretch last season and three respectable efforts in the postseason, bouncing back after posting ERAs north of 5.00 in 2016 and 2017. The Louisiana native signed a one-year deal with Houston in the offseason and returns to the AL West, where he spent half a season in 2016 with the Seattle Mariners. Miley is 4-5 with a 3.36 ERA in 12 career starts against the Rays.

The Rays spent most of last season devoting four of the five rotation spots to "openers" out of the bullpen and rode the process all the way to 90 wins. Tampa Bay has three dedicated starters in 2019 - Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler Glasnow - and will go with an opener the other two days, beginning with Chirinos on Sunday. The 25-year-old struggled in his seven starts as a rookie last season, going 0-3 with a 4.73 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays acquired RHP Aaron Slegers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Durham.

2. Astros 3B Alex Bregman is 1-for-12 in the series but celebrated his 25th birthday on Saturday with a solo homer.

3. Tampa Bay 3B Yandy Diaz has an extra-base hit in each of the first three games.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Rays 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The New York Mets aim to open 3-0 for the first time in six years when they wrap up a three-game series at the Washington Nationals on Sunday. After opening the season with a tidy 2-0 win Thursday afternoon, the Mets won an 11-8 slugfest over the Nationals on Saturday behind four hits and two RBIs by left fielder Jeff McNeil.

Catcher Wilson Ramos chipped in two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored while Pete Alonso doubled twice and singled once for New York, which scored seven runs over the final two innings before surviving a Washington rally in the ninth. Juan Soto went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Ryan Zimmerman drove in three runs in the ninth with a double to pace the Nationals' attack. Washington will try to break into the win column Sunday behind newcomer Patrick Corbin, who signed a $140 million deal this offseason. Righty Zack Wheeler gets the nod for New York.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2018: 12-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Patrick Corbin (11-7, 3.15)

Hampered by injuries for much of his career, Wheeler put in his best campaign in 2018 while making 29 starts and ranking second on the team in victories. The former first-round pick was 10-1 with a 2.21 ERA over the final three months of the season and he defeated Washington twice in three matchups. Wheeler, who posted a 4.80 ERA in five spring training starts, will be wary of first baseman Zimmerman, who is 8-for-23 with two homers against him.

Corbin earned his big deal after a spectacular 2018 in which he struck out 246 batters in 200 innings while holding opponents to a .218 average. However, he was 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two matchups with the Mets last year and is just 1-4 lifetime. The 29-year-old, who gave up 15 runs in 24 innings this spring, has a 4.80 ERA in three career starts at Nationals Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets closer RHP Edwin Diaz has notched a save in both victories, using one pitch to retire his only batter in Saturday's win.

2. Nationals RHP Trevor Rosenthal, pitching for the first time since 2017 due to Tommy John surgery, gave up four runs without retiring a batter Saturday.

3. New York CF Brandon Nimmo is 0-for-7 with six strikeouts through the first two games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

One season after becoming only the second player in club history to be named the National League MVP, Christian Yelich is making an early charge to enter his name into the record books in a few more places. The 27-year-old slugger will attempt to become only the sixth player in major-league history to homer in each of his team's first four games on Sunday, when the Milwaukee Brewers try to secure a series win as they host the St. Louis Cardinals for the finale of their four-game set.

Yelich became the first player in franchise history to go deep in each of his team's first three contests of a season early in Saturday's 4-2 win, belting a first-inning solo shot that made him the first reigning MVP to accomplish the feat. The 23rd overall pick of the 2010 draft isn't the only Brewer that has started out hot, however, as Mike Moustakas has hit two of the team's other five home runs on the season after launching a two-run blast on Saturday. Paul Goldschmidt fell back to Earth one day after registering his second career three-homer performance, although his RBI single enabled him to continue his incredible career success in Milwaukee. Kolten Wong finished 3-for-3 with a run-scoring double on Saturday and is 6-for-10 with a pair of homers and four RBIs in the series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin, WYTU (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (2018: 8-2, 3.20 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Corbin Burnes (2018: 7-0, 2.61)

Wacha saw his 2018 season come to a premature end on June 20 due to an oblique injury, less than two weeks after he completed a 12-start stretch during which he went 8-0 with a 2.12 ERA. The native of Iowa displayed a similar form during spring training, finishing 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in four outings. Yasmani Grandal (4-for-11, home run) and Ryan Braun (4-for-11) are among the Brewers who have had the most success against Wacha, who is 5-0 with a 4.19 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against Milwaukee.

Burnes is set to make his first major-league start after living up to the expectations bestowed upon the club's top pitching prospect prior to his arrival, as he made 30 appearances of the bullpen last year following his promotion on July 8. The 24-year-old struggled a bit in August (2-0, 4.70 ERA) after not allowing a run in six appearances a month earlier, but he rebounded with a strong September (4-0, 1.93). Paul DeJong has recorded an RBI double in two at-bats versus Burnes, who permitted one run over three innings against St. Louis in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. With another homer on Sunday, Yelich will join Trevor Story (2016), Chris Davis (2013), Nelson Cruz (2011), Mark McGwire (1998) and Willie Mays (1971) as the only players ever to go deep in each of their team's first four games of a season.

2. Despite going 1-for-4 on Saturday, Goldschmidt is batting .420 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 26 career contests at Miller Park.

3. Grandal is hitless in his first 10 at-bats with the Brewers, although his sacrifice fly in Friday's loss is the only one of the team's 14 runs this season that hasn't been scored via a home run.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Brewers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Dominant starting pitching has emerged as an early theme for the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians, who have split a pair of low-scoring meetings to begin the season. A day after dealing with near-freezing temperatures for three hours, the American League Central rivals will battle one more time when the Twins host the Indians on Sunday for the finale of their three-game series.

Cleveland's Corey Kluber and Minnesota's Jose Berrios permitted a total of two runs and six hits across 14 2/3 innings in the Twins' series-opening 2-0 win before Trevor Bauer and Jake Odorizzi combined to allow two runs and two hits while registering 20 strikeouts in the Indians' 2-1 victory on Saturday. Cleveland's first win didn't come easily, however, as closer Brad Hand escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth inning after Greg Allen gave the club its first lead of the season in the top half with a sacrifice fly. Hanley Ramirez was about the only player on either side to fare well Saturday, reaching base in all four plate appearances with a solo homer, a single and two walks. Byron Buxton recorded a double in each game and is the only Twin with multiple hits in this series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (2018: 17-10, 3.38 ERA) vs. Twins RH Michael Pineda (2017: 8-4, 4.39)

Carrasco notched at least 14 victories and 200 strikeouts for the third time in four seasons in 2018, finishing one win short of a personal best while fanning a career-high 231 batters over 192 innings. The 32-year-old Venezuelan enjoyed similar success during spring training, going 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA while registering 22 strikeouts over 19 frames. Nelson Cruz (7-for-22, two homers) and Jorge Polanco (6-for-15) both have fared well versus Carrasco, who went 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA in six starts against the Twins last season.

Pineda is set to return to the mound in a regular-season game for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2017 and meniscus surgery on his right knee just over a year later. The 30-year-old Dominican proved his readiness with a strong showing during spring training, posting a 1-0 record and 3.54 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .184 average in 20 1/3 frames. Ramirez (5-for-17) is the only Indian with significant experience versus Pineda, who won his only career start against Cleveland in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota on Saturday became only the second team since 1893 to open the season with its first two starters each recording at least 10 strikeouts (Arizona in 2001 ).

2. Ramirez's home run was his first since May 12 while with Boston.

3. Saturday's game-time temperature of 34 degrees was tied for the third-coldest in the nine-plus years Target Field has served as the Twins' home.

PREDICTION: Indiana 3, Twins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Jorge Soler has failed to live up to the hype in recent years, but he appears to be locked in to begin 2019. Soler and his Kansas City Royals will try to polish off a season-opening three-game sweep when they host the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon.

After producing two run-scoring hits in a 5-3 win on Opening Day, the 27-year-old Soler went 3-for-3 with three RBIs in Saturday's 8-6 triumph. "He's really off to a great start, three more hits today. Just off to a great start," manager Ned Yost told reporters of Soler. Jose Abreu slugged a three-run shot in the loss for the White Sox, who will be trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2015, when they also opened up losing three straight at Kansas City. Chicago right-hander Lucas Giolito gave up 20 runs in 18 1/3 innings during spring training but will try for better results when he makes his first start of the season Sunday opposite Jorge Lopez for the Royals.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN-TV (Chicago), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (2018: 10-13, 6.13 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2018: 2-5, 5.03)

Giolito's first full season was a difficult one, as he allowed the most earned runs in the majors (118) while leading the American League in walks (90). The former first-round pick did enjoy his matchups with the Royals, going 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four meetings last season. Soler has a home run and a walk in three career plate appearances versus Giolito.

Lopez made seven starts with the Royals after being traded from Milwaukee last season, including one outing at Minnesota in which he took a perfect game into the ninth inning. He had just one other quality start and gave up seven runs in just one frame in his finale at Detroit on Sept. 20. The 26-year-old from Puerto Rico, who had a 4.41 ERA in five spring training starts, will be facing the White Sox for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 3B Yoan Moncada also homered Saturday and is 4-for-8 with a walk and three runs scored on the season.

2. Royals LF Alex Gordon is hitless in four at-bats on the season but has one RBI and five runs scored.

3. Kansas City RHP Ian Kennedy notched his first career save Saturday with a scoreless ninth.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, White Sox 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Offense has taken center stage in the first two games of the only interleague series of baseball's opening weekend, and the host Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs will try to keep the hits coming in the rubber match of a three-game series Sunday. The Cubs smacked three home runs in a 12-4 win in the opener, but the Rangers rallied from an early 3-0 deficit for an 8-6 victory Saturday.



Joey Gallo's go-ahead three-run blast in the eighth inning capped Texas' comeback, which evened the series. Gallo's shot came off C.J. Edwards, who did not record an out in the eighth inning, highlighting concerns about the back end of Chicago's bullpen. The Cubs also had to use starter Jose Quintana in long relief after Yu Darvish gave up three runs and walked seven in 2 2/3 innings. The Rangers' bullpen struggled in the opener, but four relievers combined to allow two runs over five innings Saturday, including four straight scoreless frames to close out the game.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (2018: 9-12, 3.78 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Lance Lynn (2018: 10-10, 4.77)

Hamels enjoyed a career revival after going from the Rangers to the Cubs last season, going 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts for Chicago after the trade. The 35-year-old struggled at home before the trade, posting a 1-7 record and a 6.41 ERA in 10 starts at Globe Life Park. Hamels will face a former team for the first time in his career when he takes on the Rangers for the first time since 2008.

Lynn had success against Chicago early in his career, but he is 0-4 with a 6.40 ERA in his last 10 starts against them. The 31-year-old is 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) against the Cubs, but he hasn't beaten Chicago since 2013. Lynn is making his debut in his new home park.

WALK-OFFS

1. A total of 29 walks have been issued in the series with the Cubs drawing 15 and the Rangers earning 14 free passes.

2. Rangers starting pitchers have allowed 10 runs in 8 2/3 innings in the first two games.

3. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 12-for-34 with five doubles, two homers, nine walks and nine RBIs versus Lynn.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Rangers 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The Oakland Athletics nearly experienced a second straight bullpen implosion last time out but managed to maintain control and post a victory. Oakland looks to win its first series of 2019 when it hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in the finale of their four-game set.

After blanking the Angels in the series opener, the Athletics were on their way to another shutout victory on Friday before their relief corps surrendered six runs over the final two innings. Oakland almost had a repeat occurrence on Saturday as reliever J.B. Wendelken yielded two runs in the eighth inning to halve the team's 4-0 lead, but Blake Treinen recorded the final five outs to nail down the victory. Los Angeles kept Oakland slugger Khris Davis in the ballpark but was unable to contain Mark Canha, who went deep an inning after Stephen Piscotty delivered a two-run single in the third. Superstar Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons each drove in a run for the Angels, who have yet to score a run over the first seven innings of contests.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (2018: 8-10, 4.02 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (2018: 5-4, 3.88)

Skaggs makes his season debut after battling forearm fatigue during spring training, where he surrendered nine runs - eight earned - and 11 hits over 9 2/3 innings in three starts. The 27-year-old Californian recorded career highs in wins, starts (24), innings (125 1/3) and strikeouts (129) last year while posting his lowest ERA in six major-league seasons. Skaggs has not fared well against Oakland in his career, going 2-6 with a 5.19 ERA in 10 starts.

Montas had a strong spring as he allowed just two runs - one earned - and 11 hits over 16 innings in two starts and three relief appearances. The 26-year-old Dominican had 11 turns in the rotation last year after strictly working out of the bullpen the previous season, although his two outings in September were in relief. Montas has faced the Angels out of the bullpen three times in his career, yielding one run and eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk over 5 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 3B Matt Chapman has gone 4-for-10 with a double and an RBI in the first three games of the series.

2. Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols began the season 0-for-8 before recording a pair of singles late in Saturday's contest.

3. Oakland SS Marcus Semien has hit safely in every game thus far this season, going 7-for-18.

PREDICTION: Angels 8, Athletics 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Close games figure to become commonplace for the San Francisco Giants, who possess a deep pitching staff but lack any true power hitters. A day after leaning on their bullpen for their first victory of the season, the Giants aim for a split of their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Sunday.

San Francisco opened the season by losing back-to-back games by a combined score of 6-1 but secured a 3-2 victory on Saturday behind its bullpen, which held the Padres scoreless over the final four innings. Will Smith recorded the save but was overshadowed by the performance of 26-year-old Reyes Moronta, who replaced starter Dereck Rodriguez in the sixth and struck out five of the six batters he faced over the next two frames. Eric Hosmer went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for San Diego, which was seeking its first 3-0 start since 1984. Catcher Francisco Mejia, who was acquired from Cleveland in July, made his first start of the season and went 0-for-4 while batting eighth.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (2018: 1-5, 6.25 ERA) vs. Padres RH Chris Paddack (ML debut)

After sitting out most of last season due to a shoulder injury, Samardzija recorded a 3.97 ERA over 22 2/3 innings during spring training. "We're really excited by where he's at and how he's thrown the ball," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. "He's got a good four-pitch mix going and command. He's throwing the ball with a lot of confidence, too." The 34-year-old native of Indiana is 8-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 17 career games (15 starts) against San Diego.

Few pitchers were more impressive during spring training than Paddack, who earned a spot in the rotation after giving up three earned runs over 15 1/3 innings in five starts. The 23-year-old Texan dominated at the Single-A and Double-A levels last season, posting a 2.10 ERA with 120 strikeouts against eight walks in 90 innings. An eighth-round pick of Miami in the 2015 draft, Paddack possesses a repertoire includes a curveball, changeup and mid-90s fastball.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria exited Saturday's game with a calf injury but is expected to be available for the series finale.

2. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates has a 0.56 ERA in 15 career appearances against the Giants.

3. Giants rookie OF Connor Joe is hitless with four strikeouts in his first seven at-bats.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Giants 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Some teams struggle to find their rhythm at the plate coming out of spring training, but the Los Angeles Dodgers clearly are not one of them. The Dodgers are averaging 11.3 runs heading into Sunday's series finale against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who dropped two of the first three contests.

Cody Bellinger hit two homers and drove in six runs while Justin Turner recorded five RBIs in Saturday's 18-5 victory as the Dodgers bounced back from Friday's 13-inning, 5-4 loss. Los Angeles, which opened the season Thursday by hitting eight home runs in a 12-5 triumph, also received another solid performance from leadoff hitter Joc Pederson, who went 3-for-3 with a blast and four runs scored. Arizona is hoping for a strong outing from Luke Weaver on Sunday after its first three starting pitchers combined to allow 18 runs - 17 earned - and 18 hits over 14 innings. One bright spot has been the play of outfielder Adam Jones, who was signed as a free agent three weeks ago and has registered five hits in his first 14 at-bats.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (2018: 7-11, 4.95 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (2018: 8-5, 2.62)

Acquired from St. Louis as part of the Paul Goldschmidt trade, Weaver is looking for a bounce-back season after issuing 54 walks in 136 1/3 innings last season. The 25-year-old Floridian was sharp during spring training, posting a 1.04 ERA with a 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four starts covering 17 1/3 frames. A first-round pick of the Cardinals in the 2014 draft, Weaver is hoping to recapture his form from 2017, when he went 7-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 13 games (10 starts) with the Cardinals.

Buehler finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last season after recording a stellar 151-to-37 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 137 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old native of Kentucky threw a four-inning simulated game on Monday but made just one official spring-training start as the Dodgers attempted to lighten his workload. Buehler faced the Diamondbacks twice last season, posting a 2.19 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks OF Steven Souza Jr. will have season-ending knee surgery on Tuesday.

2. Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw 50 pitches over three innings in a simulated game on Saturday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week.

3. Arizona OF Jerrod Dyson went 2-for-4 with a homer in Saturday's loss.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The reigning World Series champion Boston Red Sox look to get a better pitching performance from their starter and salvage a split of the season-opening four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners when they meet for the finale Sunday. Right-hander Rick Porcello gets the call after the first three starters allowed 22 hits and 18 earned runs over 12 1/3 innings as the Red Sox lost two out of three contests.

Mitch Moreland's three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning Friday rescued Boston from dropping its first three games of the season, while outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez is off to a good start with five hits and a team high-tying three RBIs in the first three outings. The Mariners have rolled to four wins in their first five games and totaled 38 runs in the process after veteran Jay Bruce responded to a 1-for-15 start to the season with a three-run blast in Saturday's 6-5 victory. "The other guys have kind of carried me along the first couple games, so I was kind of glad to join the party and help the club a little bit," Bruce told ROOT Sports Northwest after the win. "It's been impressive. We've got a group of guys who come to work every single day and are ready to get it done." Domingo Santana has led the way with three homers and 10 RBIs for Seattle, while fellow newcomer Tim Beckham is 9-for-19 with three home runs, six RBIs and seven runs scored in the first five games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (2018: 17-7, 4.28 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (2018: 9-5, 3.72)

Porcello rebounded from a rough 2017 campaign when he finished 11-17 by posting the second-most wins in his career while striking out a career-best 190 batters in 2018. The 30-year-old New Jersey native was 10-3 with a 3.86 ERA on the road last year and gave up six runs over 15 1/3 innings during the playoffs. Edwin Encarnacion is 13-for-43 with five doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs versus Porcello, who is 6-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 13 career meetings with the Mariners.

LeBlanc set career highs in victories, starts (27), strikeouts (130) and innings (162) last season as he became a mainstay in the rotation. The 34-year-old Louisiana native was 7-3 with a 3.95 ERA at home in 2018 and kept opponents to a .246 batting average overall but served up 24 homers. Martinez is 4-for-9 with two doubles and a homer against LeBlanc, who is 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA in four career games - two last season, including the win - versus the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle closer Hunter Strickland was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain, while fellow RHP David McKay was recalled.

2. Boston RF Mookie Betts, the 2018 American League MVP, was 4-of-10 the first two games of the season before going hitless in five at-bats Saturday.

3. Mariners C Tom Murphy went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks in his debut with the club Saturday after playing 81 games with Colorado the last four seasons.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Mariners 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The opening weekend of the season has unfolded exactly how the Philadelphia Phillies hoped as they aim for a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night. The Phillies have scored 18 runs en route to back-to-back victories over the defending National League East champions, getting homers from Maikel Franco in both games and Bryce Harper's first hit in a Philadelphia uniform: a 465-foot second-deck solo homer in the seventh inning of Saturday's 8-6 victory.

The three big offensive acquisitions Philadelphia made during an aggressive offseason - Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Andrew McCutchen - have homered in the series, while Franco has driven in three runs in each game. Atlanta's pitching staff entered the season missing several injured contributors in both the rotation and bullpen, and it has not been a stellar beginning as Braves pitchers have surrendered six homers while issuing 11 walks. Atlanta relievers have given up 11 runs in just 7 2/3 innings through two games. First baseman Freddie Freeman is 5-for-8 with two RBIs after a four-hit day Saturday, but newly acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson is hitless in seven at-bats.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kyle Wright (2018: 0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (2018: 10-11, 3.96)

Atlanta's first-round (fifth overall) pick of the 2017 draft, Wright gets his first major-league start after making four relief appearances late last season. The 23-year-old allowed three runs on four hits in six innings out of the bullpen in 2018, walking six and striking out five, and earned Sunday's start with a strong spring that unraveled in his final two appearances. Wright finished 8-9 with a 3.46 ERA in 27 games between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett last season.

Arrieta's first season in Philadelphia was marked by stark ups and downs, such as a 0.90 ERA in May, a 6.66 ERA in June, a 2.80 ERA in July and a 6.39 ERA in September. The 33-year-old went 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA and 10 homers allowed in 45 1/3 innings across his final nine starts. Arrieta, who posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across four spring-training starts, went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts last season against Atlanta.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves C Tyler Flowers went 2-for-3 with a run scored in his season debut Saturday.

2. Saturday's win clinched Philadelphia's first season-opening series victory since 2011.

3. Wright's start Sunday, following Bryse Wilson's start Saturday, marks the first time that Braves rookies have started two of the first three games of a season since 1905.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Braves 4