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

[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
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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