Service Plays Monday 8/24/20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zack Cimini

OKLAHOMA CITY +2.5
HOUSTON @ OKLAHOMA CITY | 8/24 | 4:00 PM EDT
3:41 PM
The Oklahoma City Thunder scored a big overtime win in Game 3 Saturday. Monday, they have a chance to swing momentum and even their series against the Rockets. A key subtle change from the Thunder on Saturday involved switching to an eight-man rotation. This led to better attacks to the basket, which led to 11 more free throw attempts than the Rockets. Grab OKC to build upon that success and cover the small number.

48-32-1 IN LAST 81 NBA ATS PICKS | +1281
9-1 IN LAST 10 OKC ATS PICKS | +789

CHI. CUBS -125
CHI. CUBS @ DETROIT | 8/24 | 7:10 PM EDT
3:39 PM
After a hot start the Cubs have gone just 3-7 over their last 10 games. Sunday, the bullpen needed 50 pitches to register the final six outs. That’s a value angle for Monday, especially with struggling starting pitcher Alec Mills on the mound. Off consecutive shaky starts, look for the Cubs bats to bail out Mills against the Tigers.

7-3 IN LAST 10 MLB ML PICKS | +383
21-7 IN LAST 28 DET ML PICKS | +1389

2-1 IN LAST 3 CHC ML PICKS | +100

CLEVELAND +105
MINNESOTA @ CLEVELAND | 8/24 | 7:10 PM EDT
3:38 PM
The Minnesota Twins have the second-best record in the AL at 19-10. After a successful weekend series against the Kansas City Royals, they’ll travel to face an AL Central rival in the Indians. The Twins bullpen has been shaky and may be needed early after Kenta Maeda’s extended last outing of eight innings of work. Grab Cleveland.

7-3 IN LAST 10 MLB ML PICKS | +383
9-5 IN LAST 14 MIN ML PICKS | +377

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tim Doyle

PORTLAND +7
L.A. LAKERS @ PORTLAND | 8/24 | 9:00 PM EDT
12:43 PM
I still believe the Blazers are the more talented team overall, but they somehow have to limit either LeBron James or Anthony Davis. Accomplish that and they win, though it's easier said than done. Even so, there is value with taking the points Monday.

29-19-1 LAST 49 NBA SIDES | +939
2-1 IN LAST 3 POR ATS PICKS | +90

2-1 IN LAST 3 LAL ATS PICKS | +90

INDIANA +6
INDIANA @ MIAMI | 8/24 | 6:30 PM EDT
12:40 PM
I trust Pacers coach Nate McMillan to have his guys motivated to avoid the sweep Monday. They have had a ton of injuries this year but this team has fought all season long. Look for Indiana to compete to the wire and the points should come in handy.

29-19-1 LAST 49 NBA SIDES | +939
3-2 IN LAST 5 MIA ATS PICKS | +80

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SDQL

CHI. CUBS -135
CHI. CUBS @ DETROIT | 8/24 | 7:10 PM EDT
10:24 AM
The Cubs are off a 2-1 squeaker over the White Sox, and they are 10-0 as a road favorite after a one-run win as a home favorite, and 10-0 SU in the first game of a series with no rest as a -140-plus favorite after they scored three runs or fewer and won. The Tigers are 0-16 SU at home off a game as dogs in which they struck out their opponent at least 10 times. We make the Cubs the play.

33-16 IN LAST 49 MLB PICKS | +907
7-0 IN LAST 7 CHC ML PICKS | +710

4-1 IN LAST 5 DET ML PICKS | +140

ARIZONA -157
COLORADO @ ARIZONA | 8/24 | 9:40 PM EDT
10:22 AM
The Diamondbacks have disappointed us two straight, but the Rockies are 0-12 as a +130-plus road dog in a series opener vs a team that has lost two straight. Also, Colorado is 0-6 as a road dog of more than +130 vs a team with a worse record, scoring 2, 0, 1, 2, 1, and 1 runs in the six games, respectively. Colorado never led in any of the six games. The Snakes are 8-0 as home -140-plus favorites when they are off two losses in which they never led. Merrill Kelly will take full responsibility for getting this win.

33-16 IN LAST 49 MLB PICKS | +907
2-1 IN LAST 3 COL ML PICKS | +100

TAMPA BAY -210
TORONTO @ TAMPA BAY | 8/24 | 3:10 PM EDT
10:20 AM
The Rays are 9-0 as home favorites after they allowed six or fewer hits and 9-0 with Blake Snell at home when they won his last two starts. Note that Snell has averaged 6.30 innings of work with 9.00 strikeouts and 1.56 walks while allowing an average of 0.89 runs. The average final score has been 6.00 to 1.44 runs. As for the Jays, we see that they are 0-14 as dogs of more than +150 after a game as a road dog in which they hit more home runs than their opponent. In their lone active date so far this season, they were shut out. The Rays are loaded with value at this number.

33-16 IN LAST 49 MLB PICKS | +907
3-0 IN LAST 3 TOR ML PICKS | +300

5-2 IN LAST 7 TB ML PICKS | +157

OAKLAND -140
OAKLAND @ TEXAS | 8/24 | 8:05 PM EDT
10:19 AM
Oakland is a solid 8-0 as a favorite over an American League foe when it is off a game as a favorite in which it scored first, trailed and won. The Athletics have won these eight games by an average of 5.38 runs. Oakland swept the Rangers earlier this month and this is relevant because Texas is 0-8 in the first game of a series when seeking same-season revenge for a three-game sweep, losing every game by multiple runs. Oakland is the play.

33-16 IN LAST 49 MLB PICKS | +907
ST. LOUIS -180
KANSAS CITY @ ST. LOUIS | 8/24 | 8:15 PM EDT
10:17 AM
The Royals are 0-10 as a road dog of more than +135 when they are off a home game in which they struck out at least 10 times. The Redbirds are 11-0 as a favorite off a home game in which their opponent scored first and a focused 17-0 as a favorite of more than -120 in home series opener with no rest vs. a team that is behind them in the standings. We make the Cardinals the play.

33-16 IN LAST 49 MLB PICKS | +907
8-2 IN LAST 10 KC ML PICKS | +487

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Bollman

OVER 7.5
OAKLAND @ TEXAS | 8/24 | 8:05 PM EDT
12:31 PM
Jesus Luzardo is starting for the Athletics and he is 2-0 with a 3.67 ERA this season. He faced the Rangers earlier this season and threw five scoreless innings. Lance Lynn is starting for the Rangers and he is 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA this season, and he gave up one run in 6.1 IP in his first start against the As this season. In five career starts against the As, he is 2-1 with a 4.67 ERA. The Rangers are actually better against lefties this year and the As have been hitting.

8-1 IN LAST 9 MLB O/U PICKS | +685
3-0 IN LAST 3 TEX O/U PICKS | +300

UNDER 8.5
MINNESOTA @ CLEVELAND | 8/24 | 7:10 PM EDT
12:30 PM
Kenta Maeda will be starting for the Twins after his near no hitter in his last start. He is 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA this season, although he did throw a career-high in pitches in his last outing. Aaron Civale is 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA this season and he is coming off a complete game himself. Both these teams have very good bullpens and are top 5 in the AL in reliever ERA. These teams played four games against each other earlier this season and they averaged a total of 3.5 runs per game, take the under.

8-1 IN LAST 9 MLB O/U PICKS | +685
3-0 IN LAST 3 MIN O/U PICKS | +300

CHI. CUBS -125
CHI. CUBS @ DETROIT | 8/24 | 7:10 PM EDT
12:29 PM
Casey Mize is making his second career start after giving up three earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched against the White Sox. However, the Tigers have lost eight of their last 10 games since their hot start. Alec Mills was very good to start the season but he has been roughed up his past two outings. The Cubs are actually 5-2 on the road this season and the Tigers are just 3-10 against teams over .500.

32-7 IN LAST 39 DET ML PICKS | +2000

COLORADO -150
DALLAS @ COLORADO | 8/24 | 9:45 PM EDT
11:57 AM
Pavel Francouz will be starting for the Aves after Philip Grubauer went down with an apparent injury in Game 1. Francouz was 31-21-7 with a 2.41 GAA and .923 save percentage during the regular season and he has even better numbers in limited action in the postseason. The Stars got out front early in Game 1 and were still barely able to hold on, look for the Aves to start well and play a full 60 today.

2-1 IN LAST 3 COL ML PICKS | +100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pete Blackburn

Pete Blackburn
CBS SPORTS LEAD NHL WRITER
6:15 PM
UNDER 5
N.Y. ISLANDERS @ PHILADELPHIA | 8/24 | 7:00 PM EDT
Both of these clubs are deep, physical teams that love to pressure the puck and find their offense in opportunities created by their defense. Philly didn't have a great series against Montreal but I expect the Flyers to tighten up a bit in this second round. Both teams are structured and disciplined, so it's fair to expect a strong defensive series all around. They both also get good goaltending, so expect scoring to be limited. Go Under.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bill Marzano

OAKLAND -145
OAKLAND @ TEXAS | 8/24 | 8:05 PM EDT
2:04 PM
The Rangers have dropped eight straight games. They were just swept by the Mariners and were outscored 21-6 in the process. The A's have the best record in the A.L. and will look to give Lance Lynn his first L of the season. Lynn has been Texas’ saving grace, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.37 ERA and he is 2-1 in his career vs the A's. Oakland’s Jesus Luzardo is 2-0 with a 3.67 ERA and is getting stronger and more confident in his stuff in each start. The A's should find a way to get to the Rangers’ pen.

22-15 LAST 37 MLB SIDES | +339
3-1 IN LAST 4 OAK ML PICKS | +205

DALLAS +130
DALLAS @ COLORADO | 8/24 | 9:45 PM EDT
1:40 PM
The Stars are playing great right now, having won five of their last six games overall, and they have scored 24 goals during that span. With Ben Bishop in net, the Stars are even more dangerous. The Avalanche were dealt a huge blow with the loss of starring goalie Philipp Grubauer and will have a hard time slowing Dallas down. The Stars look like the stronger and more physical team, and the loss of Colorado’s starting goalie will be too hard to overcome. The Avs are still one of the best defensive teams in the NHL, but the Stars are just a little better.

15-9 IN LAST 24 NHL ML PICKS | +276
4-1 IN LAST 5 COL ML PICKS | +338

N.Y. ISLANDERS -105
N.Y. ISLANDERS @ PHILADELPHIA | 8/24 | 7:00 PM EDT
1:30 PM
The Flyers come into this matchup off a tough, physical series vs. Montreal, while the Islanders easily handled the Capitals. Barry Trotz has done a fantastic job and has a great chance to win this series vs the Flyers. Philadelphia dropped all three regular season meetings vs. New York. The Isles are allowing the second-fewest shots of any team in the playoffs. Look for the Islanders to set the tone of this series in Game 1.

15-9 IN LAST 24 NHL ML PICKS | +276
4-2 IN LAST 6 NYI ML PICKS | +138

5-3 IN LAST 8 PHI ML PICKS | +71

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kenny White

UNDER 8
KANSAS CITY @ ST. LOUIS | 8/24 | 8:15 PM EDT
5:41 PM
Both offensives have been below average this season. Royals right-hander Brad Keller has yet to allow a run in 17 2/3 innings. Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty makes his third start of the year after sporting a 2.75 ERA in 196 1/3 innings in 2019. Look for a strong pitching duel that keeps this game Under the posted total.

4-1 IN LAST 5 MLB O/U PICKS | +300
6-2 IN LAST 8 KC O/U PICKS | +393

PORTLAND +7
L.A. LAKERS @ PORTLAND | 8/24 | 9:00 PM EDT
5:36 PM
This is a do-or-die game for the Blazers, who squandered a four-point halftime lead in Game 3 and have yet to capitalize on the advantage they took with their Game 1 upset. Look for the defensive intensity to improve and the sense of desperation leading to a tight Game 4.

6-2 IN LAST 8 NBA ATS PICKS | +380
4-1 IN LAST 5 POR ATS PICKS | +290

3-1 IN LAST 4 LAL ATS PICKS | +190

CHI. CUBS -125
CHI. CUBS @ DETROIT | 8/24 | 7:10 PM EDT
5:33 PM
Detroit has lost eight of its last 10 games. Cubs pitcher Alec Mills is coming off of two bad starts in a row, allowing 10 earned runs in 9-plus innings. In his first two starts of the year, he allowed just two runs in 13 innings. Offensively, the Cubs have been average but they are still superior to the Tigers.

4-3 IN LAST 7 MLB PICKS | +80
9-4 IN LAST 13 CHC ML PICKS | +402

4-2 IN LAST 6 DET ML PICKS | +298

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Champ Team
Champ System Play: Rangers+1.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Worlds Worst Picker
Peabody’s pick
Milwaukee

We take
Cincy

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sportsline Computer

MLB

Cubs -125