The Las Vegas Aces (8-8) take on the Indiana Fever (8-8) today on Thursday, July 3. Oddly enough, two mediocre teams in the middle of the pack will battle it out for a chance to get better positioning Thursday evening. Both Indiana and Las Vegas enter at .500 with enough talent to suggest this won’t be a blowout. The Indiana Fever enter the game in a wave of momentum, having just won the Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday with a 74–59 win over Minnesota. Their defense was smothering as usual, holding the Lynx to just 39 points in three quarters, and Indiana earned a trophy for finishing first in the regular season. However, they are without their star rookie guard Caitlin Clark once again as her groin injury kept her out of this one, leaving Kelsey Mitchell to carry the offense, and she has been on fire recently. Mitchell is averaging just under 19 points a night and is coming off four consecutive games with 20 or more points.

The Aces of Las Vegas are also 8–8 but have the ingredients to surprise Indiana with their proven veteran point guard Jriel Taylor leading the way with an average of 17.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game and Rookie of the Year A’ja Wilson still wreaking havoc inside and on the defensive end. Wilson is averaging 21.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, just under 4 assists, almost 3 blocks, and nearly 2 steals per contest  and has been playing like an MVP so far this season. They recently made a trade to add more frontcourt depth in the form of NaLyssa Smith.

Indiana and Vegas have played each other a couple of times so far this year and it has not gone well for the Fever as they’ve lost five consecutive games, four of which went under and by the point spreads as well. Looks like Clark will have to miss this game with that lingering groin injury. Couple that with the comedown from their Cup win and this is a prime spot for a Vegas win and cover.

Jim's Play: 603. LV Aces 

The Rangers and Orioles kick off a three-game series in Arlington this evening, and the outlook is clearly in the Rangers’ favor. Jacob deGrom’s recent form from last night - six quality innings (two runs on five hits, six strikeouts) in his second straight victory - gives Texas control of the series as he can now extend a streak of at least five innings and no more than two runs allowed to 14 starts. The offense came to life as well last night, with Adolis García collecting four RBIs on a pair of hits and a homer and Alejandro Osuna smacking his first career dinger.

Tonight’s pitching matchup further improves the Rangers’ outlook for the series: Texas is starting Nathan Eovaldi, who has a 1.87 ERA and above-average control (4.3% walk rate, .235 wOBA) according to his recent performance. Baltimore is on the opposite side of that spectrum with a nod to Tomoyuki Sugano. Advanced metrics haven’t been kind to Sugano (5.23 xERA, .290 xBA, among the bottom 3% in strikeout rate) and his last couple of outings have even been abbreviated with no trips to the six-inning mark.

Offense also favors Texas as the Orioles have been lackluster on the road (15-27) and against AL West teams this year (4-12). The Rangers play well at home (25-18) and have a recent edge over Baltimore in the last eight contests (six wins).

Gunnar Henderson will shoulder Baltimore’s offense, which will depend on his bat after he’s put together a .270/.379/.493 slash with 79 homers and 221 RBIs since his 2022 debut. Baltimore’s offense hasn’t been consistent, though, so matching Eovaldi’s presumed run prevention isn’t likely.

Baltimore faces a tough climb with a one-sided loss already on the ledger and a weak hitter’s matchup. Meanwhile, home-field advantage, good vibes and an overpowering starter give Texas the edge for another series win. I expect Eovaldi to pitch deep and the Rangers to win tonight. 

Jim's Play: 964. Rangers

An interleague matchup at Truist Park is on the docket for Wednesday, as the Angels (42-42) trot out left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (3-6, 2.79 ERA, 99 K) to the bump. Kikuchi has regularly suppressed hard contact this season, posting 11 starts of two earned runs or less this season. The Braves (38-46) respond with rookie right-hander Didier Fuentes (0-2, 10.80 ERA) on Wednesday who has not been as successful in his first few starts. 

Atlanta’s bats have cooled in recent days, scoring a total of four runs in their past two contests, while the Angels completed the sweep over the Braves 4-0 most recently on the strength of six shutout innings from Anderson and added support from Soler and Adell. In general, the Angels boast one of the more fearsome offenses in terms of runs and slugging, residing near the top of the league in both categories.

Given the veteran on the mound for Los Angeles, against the rookie for Atlanta, a hitter’s park and the Angels’ recent hot hand, there’s a strong edge to the Angels. 

Jim's Play: 973. Angels 

Lineup details for Game 2 of a Brewers–Mets doubleheader at Citi Field on Wednesday, July 2, 2025:

Jacob Misiorowski gets the call for Milwaukee after nearly being perfect in his first three starts (see his #SixPackStats). This could be a real test of his consistency under duress against a Mets lineup that’s desperate for some offense.

Blade Tidwell will take the mound for the Mets. The former top prospect has underwhelmed thus far (10.13 ERA in three appearances), and he’s now got to pitch in the expansive confines of Citi Field at night.

With both teams having already used up their starting pitching earlier in the day, they’ll rely on their bullpens heavily. New York will probably pay the price since they’ve already expended most of their rotation depth for the season .

The Mets’ bats, like their starters, have a long night of work in front of them. Juan Soto has done his part, but their lineup has fallen off a cliff (.217 with RISP in their recent slump). Francisco Lindor is getting close to breaking out of his June malaise, but he still hasn’t shown he’s completely on.

After a big day yesterday, Milwaukee’s lineup will get to play with momentum and momentum alone. Misiorowski’s a known entity and should keep Citi Field in check early on. If the Brewers take an early lead and a last-inning lead and give their bullpen the ball, the Mets’ porous relief corps will implode.

Pick: Milwaukee to win this one. The Brewers are due to get another good start out of Misiorowski, and then their bullpen should have more in the tank than New York. Milwaukee winning here would be huge for them and would put the Mets in a lot of trouble.

Jim's Play: 955. Brewers (Game 2)

As a power hitter into MLB DFS, most of the Blue Jays and Yankees games I follow are at the line for exacta box betting or stack angles; but as I get stronger edges when an MLB DFS line settles and leans toward a heavy favorite, the value around an early moneyline price on this tilt caught my eye last night.

The intrigue starts with a clear early edge for Toronto that levels in the bullpen, plus Toronto rolling to the first two games of the series and a short rest home field tilt that could still push them to at least three straight after Monday’s 12-5 Series-splitting win.

Toronto is going with José Berríos (4-3, 3.26 ERA), who’s been on an improved roll for the rotation and is in position to build on his seven-shutout inning last out. New York answers with Will Warren (5-4, 4.37 ERA), who has also been solid for length and turns in a five-inning shutout himself last time out. 

Toronto jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the series against the Yankees, then the Blue Jays pounced with 12 runs, as George Springer blasted a grand slam, homered again and clubbed three doubles with seven RBI overall in the 12-5 win at Rogers Centre . The Yankees’ defense also had issues adding to their offensive output yesterday. 

The Jays as a small home dog is the way to go here. They have the more seasoned starter and they have been playing better of late. 

Jim's Play: 962. Blue Jays

The Minnesota Lynx will square off against the Indiana Fever for the Commissioner’s Cup tonight. Indiana (8–8) against Minnesota (14–2) for the Cup at the Target Center. Minnesota looks to defend it's Cup title while Indiana looks for its first. 

Minnesota is 14–2, including 8–0 at Target Center. The Lynx have the best point differential in the league at +11.2, and that’s with every team in the WNBA missing at least one game due to the Olympic break. The Lynx were also No. 2 in defensive rating (89.6) and assist percentage (66.4%) before the break. Indiana’s deep shooting could be the key, but the question is whether Fever star Caitlin Clark will be available. Clark is currently questionable with a groin injury but I have it on good sourse she won't be playing. 

Indiana and Minnesota are top three in 3-point percentage on offense, with Minnesota being first in the league (36.3%) and Indiana sixth (34.2%). But their defensive 3-point shooting percentages are also top three, with Minnesota holding opponents to the league-best 29% from deep and Indiana fifth (27.5%).

Minnesota’s offense is anchored by Napheesa Collier. She’s the league’s scoring leader at 24.4 PPG with elite shooting splits (52.5 FG%, 39.6 3PT%) and a dominant two-way game . Collier is also the favorite to win MVP.

Indiana, meanwhile, has played well when Caitlin Clark is on the court. She’s hurt for much of the past month, dealing with a groin strain and missing at least part of three games. Clark had 20 points in Saturday’s semifinal against Chicago. Indiana has still played well without Clark, winning by double digits in four out of five Cup games. Kelsey Mitchell poured in 32 points in the semifinal and Lexie Hull has also had big scoring games . And of course, there’s Aliyah Boston who’s averaging nearly 16 PPG and 8 RPG. The matchup to watch will be Collier and Boston.

If Clark misses some or all of this game then they will be in big trouble against this talented Minnesota team that is perfect at home. 

Jim's play: Minnesota Lynx

The Baltimore Orioles take on the Texas Rangers in Arlington, TX on Monday, June 30, 2025. Baltimore turns to lefty Trevor Rogers, who’s been sharp in limited work this season. Rogers' is 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA and two quality starts in just three appearances. Texas counters with veteran Patrick Corbin, sporting a 4-7 record and a 4.24 ERA. He’s reached at least five innings in each of his 14 starts but has yet to complete one without yielding an earned run.

Offensively, both teams have struggled for consistency. The Orioles are batting around .240 with middling power, though Ryan O’Hearn (.293/.380/.473) and Cedric Mullins provide some pop. Baltimore’s earlier meeting with these Rangers saw Rogers spin eight shutout innings, though Texas answered with the bats in their own 7-0 win. Meanwhile, Texas ranks poorly in hitting overall with a .227 batting average and bottom-five across the board offensively.

I expect a pitcher’s duel with Rogers aiming to replicate his previous outing while Corbin trying to crack through Baltimore’s lineup. Offense coming at a premium in this matchup.  I'll take the O's here on the road against a Rangers team that hasn't live up to expectations this year. 

Jim's Play: 961. Orioles

The Cardinals and Pirates square off Monday, June 30th, with Eric Fetty on the mound for St. Louis and Andrew Henny getting the start for Pittsburgh. On paper, this matchup features two capable starters, but the recent trends suggest a different kind of game might unfold, one where the bats take over. Fetty has shown decent control at times, but he’s also been vulnerable to crooked numbers, especially when he falls behind in counts. Pittsburgh’s lineup, led by Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, has enough pop to punish mistakes, and they’ve been more productive at home.

Andrew Henny has some upside but remains unproven over a full MLB workload. He’s had trouble navigating lineups more than once, and his pitch-to-contact approach could spell trouble against a St. Louis squad that’s shown signs of waking up offensively. The Cardinals, with Nolan Gorman and Paul Goldschmidt in the middle of the order, are capable of piling on runs in bunches, particularly if Henny struggles to put hitters away.

Neither bullpen has been especially reliable this season, which adds fuel to the fire. If this game turns into a battle of relievers by the sixth inning, expect plenty of scoring chances. With two starters who could run into trouble and offenses that are due for a breakout, this game leans toward going over the total, especially if one side breaks through early and forces the other into catch-up mode.

Jim's Play: 953. Cardinals/Pirates OVER

One of the more interesting games this weekend could take place Sunday, when the Seattle Storm will square off against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Seattle has been playing some high-level basketball as of late, with seven wins in its last nine contests, and the Storm are a bona fide offensive powerhouse. Gabby Williams is a two-way stud and already leads the WNBA in steals, but her perimeter shooting and playmaking is also a major asset. Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike provide veteran savvy that has fueled Seattle’s recent play, highlighted by a blowout victory over Connecticut later in the week. The Golden State Valkyries have been one of the pleasant surprises of the young WNBA season, as the expansion club is already 6-3 at home. Golden State already owns a victory over Seattle earlier in the month and are built for a home win on Sunday. Kayla Thornton has been a stalwart offensively for the Valkyries with consistent scoring and rebounding. Tiffany Hayes has come into her own as a smooth and effective veteran presence as well. The Valkyries also have a bit of a defensive identity which should allow them to slow down Seattle’s potent offense. The Storm are slight favorites, but this is shaping up as a close one, particularly with Golden State being so confident on their home court. I'll take the Valkyries on Sunday. 

Jim's Play: 630. GS Valkyries

It’s a day to see who bares their teeth, baby as the Oakland A's take on the NY Yankees in this series finale from Yankee Stadium. The A's have been leveraging the underdog card all year long, and so 34-51 Oakland is here for it again. The A’s welcome Luis Severino (2–8, 4.83 ERA), who is making his return to Yankee Stadium as a member of the Athletics. In nine appearances at the stadium, Severino has managed just 0.9 innings per start, with a 6.90 ERA, and six walks to just four strikeouts. Away from the Bronx, however, Severino has shown markedly better performance, with a 2.27 ERA on the road -effectively flipping the script on disinterested crowds in hostile environments to delivering quality starts . By way of contrast, the Yankees are starting Marcus Stroman, fresh off the IL, and the command and consistency that he’s shown in previous years have yet to show up in his abbreviated starts this season (0.2 ERA and 11.57 ERA, respectively). Add in the fact that the southpaw righty is coming off the IL, and an exacta or trifecta wheel shot becomes enticing with the Yankees laying numbers, given the depth and difference in effectiveness of the two pitching staffs .

Oakland came out on top in a way that few would have predicted on Saturday, blanking the Yankees 7–0, led by JP Sears’ 5-shutout innings. Their offense did its part as well, homering twice in the game. It marked the Athletics’ first real statement win in some time, dating back to going 12-29 since roughly mid-May. If the A’s are given a modicum of breathing room, they can be dangerous, and they proved they’re not afraid to go deep.

The A’s are thin, sure, but Severino has been better pitching on the road, and with their offense and starting pitching seemingly perked by Saturday’s shutout, they don’t play the part of the patsy as well as they would have earlier this season. In fact, the betting on Oakland to keep this one close and pull off the shocker is the best underdog wagering of the weekend to me.

Jim's Play: 911. Oakland A's

It's the rubber match in Sunday's AL East showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Toronto will send lefty Eric Lauer (4–1, 2.21 ERA) to the hill, who has a solid record in 2025 so far against the Red Sox in particular. He’s allowed just a 3.00 ERA across two appearances against Boston this year. Opposite him is Walker Buehler, who has posted a disastrous 6.29 ERA so far this year, including several poor starts that have ballooned his total.

The Blue Jays are no strangers to success at the plate either, as their batting average ranks within the top 10 of the American League thanks to regular contributions from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Bo Bichette, and others. Meanwhile, Boston has struggled on the offensive side of things this season, trading away Rafael Devers midway through June while also dealing with a notably high “Drag Factor” among its hitters, that is, a lack of one-hit wonder players who help mask their offensive woes and wait to produce .

The Red Sox just put up a massive total on Saturday, but that was almost certainly an aberration, and their lineup will likely show its true face in this game after scoring two runs or less in four of the last five and splitting this series 1-1. 

Toronto has the pitching edge, with Lauer being able to hold down Boston’s offense, and Toronto’s bats have the juice to do some damage in this game too, resulting in a low-to-moderate scoring affair that the Blue Jays win to take the series.

Jim's Play: 913. Blue Jays

Washington heads into Dallas on Saturday night riding a three-game win streak, looking to maintain some positive momentum after returning to .500 at 8-8. The Mystics have won three in a row, capped by an overtime win over these same Wings last weekend. In that game, rookie Sonia Citron scored 27 and made a three-pointer in the closing seconds to seal the deal. Washington has been playing well despite Brittney Sykes on the sidelines and a few other rotation players questionable, they’re able to find scoring from all around the roster and playing with more and more confidence. Dallas is 4-13 but has managed to show some signs of life following a 1-11 start. They’ve won two of their last three games, with freshman Paige Bueckers on fire and 6’7” center Li Yueru giving them some much-needed rim protection. They still have major injury issues though, missing multiple rotation players including Teaira McCowan and DiJonai Carrington. Washington has won the last four meetings in this series, but Dallas has more continuity and a deeper bench this season. Unless Bueckers goes off and Dallas dictates the pace, the Mystics should be able to extend their win streak.

Take:  619. Mystics 

AL East clash as the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Baltimore Orioles from Camden Yards here on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The Rays have been one of the hottest teams in baseball (24-10 in their last 34 games) and it’s starting to pay off as they are now just 1.5 games back of the Yankees for first place in the division. This has not only been an offensive surge for Tampa Bay but a momentum surge as well.

Zack Littell (6–7, 3.78 ERA) will start for Tampa Bay. The southpaw has not only been effective recently (earning his 10th quality start in his last 16 outings) but he has also been durable (pitching at least five innings in his last 13 starts) and Littell is getting the call to help a worn-down bullpen, which is another reason to like the Rays today.

Zach Eflin (6–4, 5.46 ERA), a former Ray, will start for Baltimore. Eflin has struggled to be effective this year and his matchups profile him as beatable—especially against a Tampa Bay lineup that has been hitting. The Orioles had a good offensive day on Friday but that was a 22-run explosion and that was both an outlier in their run of production and came against a vulnerable opponent.

The simple truth is the entire profile points in Tampa Bay’s direction today. Littell has been pitching well, Tampa Bay’s lineup is deep, they can use Littell to rest the bullpen, and the team has been hot and a smart play on the betting trends. 

Jim's Play: 965. Rays

6/28 10:10 AM PT / 1:10 PM ET  

MLB   (963) MINNESOTA TWINS VS  (964) DETROIT TIGERS

Take: 964. Tigers

The Minnesota Twins (40–42) will try to get the series win after winning three of the last four games. Byron Buxton was one of the big performers with a solo home run and two runs scored. However, it was a team effort and the real bright spot in Friday’s win was David Festa’s outing as he held the Tigers scoreless in 5-innings with six strikeouts and just two hits. Minnesota is now coming off their first three-game win streak since winning four straight from May 28-31.

The Tigers (51–32) got swept in the four game series against the Twins last week, but their season-long performance in the AL Central still leads them to open Saturday at +142. A big part of their season to this point has been a good rotation with Casey Mize being a bright spot. The 7–2 right-hander has a 2.87 ERA and 64 strikeouts in just over 72 innings pitched. Mize has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start all month and has made four quality starts on the season. He has been great at home where he is 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA in six starts at Comerica .

Minnesota will be sending Bailey Ober to the mound on Saturday. Ober has less consistent season statistics when compared to Mize, as he’s sitting at 4-5 with a 4.90 ERA this season . He’s had some outings that have been strong, like his last start with seven earned runs in seven innings. Ober has thrown at least five innings in each of his last two starts, so he has the durability to stay in the game if necessary .

The main matchup to look at here will be Detroit’s defense in addition to Mize’s home success. If Mize can keep the Twins’ bats under control in the first couple of innings, this bodes well for a Tigers’ bounce-back. As much as I like some of the Twins hitters, the Tigers have the pitching edge in this series and a big home field advantage for Mize. Because of that, I’m taking the Tigers to win the game. 

Jim's Play: 964. Tigers

The New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury will face each other Friday night in one of the more interesting games on the WNBA docket. These two played just over a week ago, with the Mercury picking up an 89-81 win on the road, and now they are at home. The Mercury come into tonight's contest with a six game win streak, an attempt to move to the front of the pack in the league standings. The Mercury have been cooking so far this season, scoring just over 82 points per game, while holding opponents to 78. The inside presence from Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas has been solid thus far, with Sabally leading the team in scoring at over 19 per night, and Thomas racking up the counting stats on both sides of the court.

On the other side, the Liberty enter the game at 11-3 but have some major injury concerns. Jonquel Jones will not play due to her ongoing ankle injury, and they will also be missing Leonie Fiebich and a couple key reserves as well, which means Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu will have to carry even more of the load than they have been. While they still have a lot of punch offensively, leading the league in both points and shooting efficiency, they will likely struggle defensively without Jones in the paint against Phoenix’s strong and physical frontcourt.

This game may come down to if the New York backcourt is able to run and make shots from the perimeter while avoiding foul trouble on defense. For the Mercury, they want to run the ball inside and continue to turn up the efficiency and execution we have seen from them of late. The Mercury are at home, have the form, the health, and the momentum, so the betting edge here goes to Phoenix as a small home favorite. 

Jim's Play: 616. Phx Mercury (WNBA Game of the Month)

The Mariners and Rangers are getting set to begin a weekend series Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Seattle is starting right-hander Logan Gilbert, while Texas counters with veteran righty Nathan Eovaldi. Gilbert has a 3.12 ERA and owns a good track record against the Rangers lineup over the course of his career. He’s also struck out 83 batters against them, which is the most of any team he’s faced. Eovaldi is 6-1 with a 1.56 ERA and 0.86 WHIP when healthy, and he’s even better at home where he’s made 5 starts and has an ERA below 2.00.

Seattle is batting .265 in their last 10 games while Texas is batting just .222 over their last 10. Both teams have been banged up in terms of power bats, with the Mariners missing Jake Burger and the Rangers also missing a couple bats in their lineup. The bullpens could factor in a close game on the backend and Texas has the advantage here after bolstering it this season. Texas has the advantage at home with a solid record on their home. The pitching matchup favors a low-scoring game and both starters should be able to go deep in the game. I favor the Rangers with Eovaldi pitching at home.

Jim's Play: 920. Rangers (AL West Game of the Week)

The Tampa Bay Rays (46-35) head to Baltimore on a three-game winning streak with righthander Ryan Pepiot on the hill. He’s been good for a 5-6 record with a 3.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 94 innings, and his home/road splits are especially strong away from St. Petersburg. Pepiot is 6-2 in his last seven starts as a favorite on the road this season. The Orioles (34-46) counter with Tomoyuki Sugano, who is 5-4 with a 3.55 ERA. He hasn’t faced Tampa Bay yet and isn’t exactly strikeout-heavy, which might be a liability against a Rays team that barrels at a high rate—especially at home.

The Rays enter with the momentum and a strong showing on the mound recently. Their lineup has also gotten good contributions from some key young players, namely Junior Caminero (20 HR, 51 RBI) and Brandon Lowe (16 HR, 43 RBI). The team’s bullpen has been especially effective this season with a 3.49 staff ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Baltimore has been impressive in relief as well, especially with a 1.76 pen ERA since late May - but their offense has not shown up in big moments. 

We should expect a pitcher’s duel early in this game with both teams fielding starters that could keep this game in hand. The Rays are clearly the better team in the long run with strong road splits, a more consistent offense, and some depth on the mound, especially in relief. 

Jim's Play: 911. Rays 

Final game of this NL East battle as the Mets host the Braves on Thursday, June 26, 2025. 

The Braves continue to put up just average numbers from the offensive side of the ball, currently holding a 17th-place OPS and scoring a paltry 4.22 runs per game on the year. Today's starter, Grant Holmes (4–6, 3.71 ERA), has been a tad more reliable than their inconsistent lineup over his last few starts, throwing five shutout innings against the Marlins last time out. However, walks remain an issue for the Braves starter, issuing a free pass in over 11% of innings pitched this year. He’s set to face a lineup missing key pieces, but that also has some steam with Atlanta right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. returning and getting hot with a .385 average and 1.188 OPS since coming back. 

Braves first baseman Matt Olson has also found his power again and will be available to drive in multiple runs after contributing three RBI in their 7–4 win on Tuesday, and Atlanta will also get a boost from the return of Michael Harris II today. He hit the ground and was briefly in danger of missing a second straight game because of it, but the outfielder will rejoin a lineup also featuring the returning Alex Verdugo, though Verdugo’s numbers continue to lag a bit behind that of his OPS against Mets pitchers entering this matchup. Griffin Canning (7–3, 3.91 ERA) will toe the rubber today for New York. Canning has walked too many batters over 10% of his innings this year despite a fine 10.7% strikeout rate. His fastball spin rate also doesn’t grade out particularly well, ranking in the bottom 6% of MLB starters. The Mets likely have some moving pieces in their lineup ahead of this game, with Mark Vientos possibly being activated just a day after he went on the injured list with a hamstring issue. That would mean some shifting within their infield and potentially a top half of the order that creates more protection for Mets hitters like Pete Alonso and Juan Soto. It’s possible this move also opens up some time in the DH spot for lefty-hitting Manuel Margot. They’ll need more offensive help from those top-tier players, along with players in their young core like Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty as they get closer to opening up space in their own rotation. 

The slumping Mets have lost 10 of 11 and missed opportunities in tight games as of late and need that help even more against a potent Braves offense in this series. Good defense behind the Mets starter may also be in the cards, catcher Hayden Senger standing out of late and potentially giving the Mets pitchers a bit of an edge behind the plate.

The Braves vs Mets pitching matchup brings two starters to the mound who each have a greater tendency to induce grounders and fly balls rather than strikeouts with their stuff, which could add a bit of volatility to this game, along with lineups in need of getting a bit of a jolt. The Braves will need Holmes to go deep enough into the game for their own anemic offense to get the job done and not beat themselves, while the Mets need Canning to keep them in games while also getting some long-awaited consistency from the bats, especially if they’re going to have to shuffle things up a bit with the possible addition of Vientos.

Hard to back the Mets with their recent slump and the lineup that is in flux every day.  I'll stick with the Braves here tonight. 

Jim's Play: 957. Braves

 I’ll be previewing the WNBA action with a focus on the LA Sparks and Indiana Fever, and why I see value in betting the over.

Indiana enters this game with some confidence after a big 94–86 victory over the Seattle Storm that broke up their two-game losing streak. The win was led by Aliyah Boston with 31 points and Kelsey Mitchell scoring 26 . Caitlin Clark hasn’t been sharp yet this year (1-for-23 from three, six points in the last game) but she continues to dish and feed off-ball players which should also equate to pace and points . The Fever score 84.0 ppg on the year, and are firmly in the green in terms of their scoring differential so they should provide a steady dose of offensive upside.

LA is a bad team that has also not won much this season, but they’ve still proven capable on offense and have kept it afloat—they score 81.3 points per game on the year and all four of their last games have gone over the total . The pace has been high in their recent games as well, but their defense has not kept up and that creates the perfect recipe for an up-tempo shootout. 

Let’s also not forget about these two’s historical betting patterns too: In the last nine games, six against LA have gone over and four of six of their home games have done the same (LA has won just one of five in Indy) . LA has also gone over in 10 of their last 12 games, so the historical numbers also lean towards the over. With both teams having the scoring ability to get this game over the total combined with playing style that is set up for a back-and-forth affair filled with fast transition buckets, offensive rebounds and lots of possessions, expect the Fever’s playmakers to set the pace and the Sparks’ lack of a way to slow it down to send this one up comfortably over the total. If you’re on the over, let’s make this your game plan.

Jim's Play: 605. Sparks/Fever OVER

Always exciting when these two rivals meet on the diamond as the Cardinals host the Cubs. The Cubs will welcome back Shota Imanaga (3-1, 2.82 ERA) who will get the start for Chicago, making his first start since coming off the IL. In his four starts this season, he has 34 strikeouts in 44 innings. He has struggled a bit at home, with a 5.75 ERA at Wrigley Field. 

St. Louis will counter with Andre Pallante (5-3, 4.48 ERA), who is enjoying more success at home (3-1, sub 2.00 ERA) than on the road (1-2, 6.50 ERA). Pallante last took the hill against the Giants. The Cubs are coming off an 8–0 victory last night in which Matthew Boyd pitched six shutout innings and Ian Happ hit a three-run homer. Chicago leads the NL Central at 47-33 and is seeking to open up its division lead. The Cardinals are just a couple of games behind at 44-37 and are hoping to turn it around at home in a division game with plenty at stake. Their defense has remained one of the best in baseball (leaders in Outs Above Average), and they have been playing their best ball of late, having won five of their last six games heading into the Cubs’ blowout. Brendan Donovan (.305) is leading the team offensively, and the Cardinals have found some power with Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras at first base. 

The game should come down to whether Imanaga can follow up on Matthew Boyd’s performance with strong pitching and a stifling Cubs defense or whether Pallante and the Cardinals’ defense can keep Chicago in check in this early season divisional matchup. 

I look for Imanaga to be strong here today and shut down this St Louis offense. 

Jim's Play: 951. Cubs 

On Wednesday night, the New York Liberty make their way to the West Coast to take on the Golden State Valkyries in a game that should be a lot of fun to watch. New York comes in at 10-3, but the Liberty have lost two of their last three, and two of their recent losses were to Phoenix (in a blowout) and Seattle (in a flat performance). The bigger issue for New York is the absence of Jonquel Jones, who will be sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury. She leaves a hole in the paint that will put more burden on Breanna Stewart and New York’s bench to step up. Sabrina Ionescu continues to be the engine of the offense, and she’s been solid, but the Liberty will need some extra help from role players Natasha Cloud and Marine Johannès to maintain their offensive efficiency on the road in a tough environment.

Golden State comes in at 7-6 and is exceeding expectations as an expansion team. The Valkyries have been especially tough at home, posting a 5-2 record at Chase Center, and they’re coming off an 87-63 blowout of Connecticut. Kayla Thornton, a former Liberty forward, has been the catalyst for Golden State. She is physical on defense and a timely scorer. Temi Fágbénlé is their rebounding force, and head coach Natalie Nakase has embraced a defense-first identity that makes the Valkyries competitive even when their shots aren’t falling. They’ve been shooting under 40% from the field, but they make up for it with hustle, rebounding, and a deep rotation that’s giving strong minutes to young players like Bree Hall and Kaitlyn Chen.

I think this one will be a grind-it-out first game. This Liberty team isn’t the same juggernaut club without Jones, and the Golden State Valkyries have grit and motivation (not least of which is Thornton wanting to show her former team what she’s been able to do with more minutes). I'm going to take the points here tonight with the host and look for a close game. 

Jim's Play: 602. GS Valkyries 

L.A. is on the road at Chicago as a slight favorite, with most outlets having the Sparks anywhere from –5.5 to 6 early on . Despite a rough patch (they’re 3-game ATS losers and 5-9 against the spread overall), this is one matchup and personnel advantage they have tonight.

Chicago is really poor on both ends (12th in offensive and defensive efficiency), and they’re 1-4 at home this season. They’re missing some players up front, too, with Kamilla Cardoso (questionable) after a recent limited run and Angel Reese (beast on the boards) not shooting the ball efficiently. That’s an opening for the Sparks.

On the other side, L.A. has more consistent scoring punch in Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens and Rickea Jackson, and their veteran lineup is more than capable of exploiting Chicago’s defense. Plum, for one, averaged 20+ points and scored 28 in their last matchup.

Chicago’s defense is porous, their offense is stale, and L.A.’s perimeter punch and post depth should be enough to keep this one in control. Even if the Sky keep it close early, the Sparks should have enough distance on the by the final whistle.

Jim's Play: 625. Sparks

Atlanta Dream come into tonight's contest at Dallas averaging nearly 88 points per game and is near the top of the league in both scoring and 3-point makes. The Dream have cleared 88 four times in their last five games and are clicking offensively in the modern offense under Karl Smesko. They are stretching the floor, causing headaches for lesser defenses, and those same defenses have struggled to contain Atlanta on the road where they continue to score.

Dallas is no slouch either. The Wings are scoring about 82 points per game, good for sixth-best in the WNBA, with rookies Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, and NaLyssa Smith each contributing regularly. Bueckers is averaging just under 18 points a game and Ogunbowale dropped 27 on Sunday. Even with a few injuries to their frontcourt depth, this group has remained dangerous offensively.

The total has gone over in four of Dallas’s last five games and seven of Atlanta’s last eight — even in Dallas. What ties it all together is pace. Both teams are in the top half of the league in pace and shots taken, and neither looks like they’re slowing down. Atlanta’s attack continues to find openings against porous defenses, and Dallas’s youth and balance mean they’ll continue to push no matter the opponent or the spot.

Bottom line: with two scoring offenses on the upswing, a little defensive balance, and an over-heavy recent scoring history, the over is the play entering Tuesday night.

Jim's Play: 621. ATL Dream/Dal Wings OVER 

WNBAProp

Paige Bueckers OVER Pts + rebounds+assists

The New York Yankees travel to Cincinnati tonight to face the Reds in a game where Carlos Rodón will toe the rubber for the Yanks. He’s 9-5 with a 3.10 ERA, striking out 30% of batters he’s faced in about 95 innings. Rodón has been a bit more effective on the road and has been a little bit unlucky on the long ball. Chase Burns will make his major league debut for Cincinnati. Burns was the Reds’ second overall pick in 2024 and has pitched to a 2.76 ERA in the minors, striking out 25% of batters.

Cincinnati won the opener by a 6–1 final as Elly De La Cruz had a home run, triple, and three RBIs.  The bullpen continues to hold up, and Fernando Cruz’s splitter has been on point—he struck out three in a row last week in Cincinnati. The Reds are 41-38 and 3 games back in the NL Central. They’re no slouches, as they’ve won 6 of their last 11 as +136 or greater dogs.

We have a veteran pitcher going against a hot rookie. Rodón has to strike out a few and not let the long ball hurt him, but there’s a talent in Burns and he’s pitching at home. I look for live dogs and the Reds are very alive tonight as a home dog with a rookie who has great potential.  I'll give the Reds a shot here tonight. 

Jim's Play: 976. Reds

The Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians begin their three-game series tonight at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6: 40 PM ET on Tuesday. Toronto will send lefty Eric Lauer to the mound. Lauer’s 3-1 record and 2.29 ERA are solid, and in his last start against the Diamondbacks on June 18, Lauer pitched five innings, allowing one run while striking out eight. He has an impressive 4.08 ERA on the road and a.241 batting average against. Cleveland will counter with southpaw Logan Allen, who is 5–4 with a 4.21 ERA. Allen has shown flashes of brilliance, as he struck out 12 batters over his last three starts and limited the opposition to two runs in 5.1 innings in his last outing . 

The Jays offense is hitting .257 as a team (7th in MLB) and averaging 3.8 runs per game, but they have been ice cold recently after losing two of three games to Chicago. Cleveland returns home from a road trip on the West Coast and have a home lineup that features a pair of producers in José Ramírez and new acquisition David Fry, who recorded an RBI single in Sunday’s win over Oakland. The Guardians also have a deep bullpen in which to lean on, especially closer Emmanuel Clase.

I expect a tight pitcher’s duel tonight. Lauer’s command and recent form give Toronto a good shot, but Allen’s recent strikeout run and Cleveland’s bullpen depth keep this close. I believe this will come down to the bullpens and that is where the Guardians have a huge edge. 

Jim's Play: 966. Guardians

American League action to start the week as the Seattle Mariners (39-37) and the Minnesota Twins (37-40) face off in Minneapolis. The Mariners start pitcher Bryan Woo (6-4, 3.12 ERA) is fresh off seven scoreless innings and one hit allowed in his last start. Woo has logged 10 quality starts in 14 starts and has surrendered only 14 walks in nearly 90 innings pitched . He’ll face Minnesota (10th in MLB in team ERA, 4.45). Woo will be opposed by Bailey Ober (4-4, 4.54 ERA), who has allowed 13 earned runs over his last three home starts and Minnesota has lost 13 of its last 16 games. 

Seattle is 10th in the league in runs scored, led by catcher Cal Raleigh, who became the first switch-hitting catcher to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break . Minnesota has some of its own stars in Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco and will look to gain ground early . 

Game 1 should be a good pitchers’ duel with strong bats and Seattle’s recent play and Woo’s reliability could make the difference at Target Field tonight. I like Woo a lot here on Monday against a struggling Ober. I'll take the Mariners to win game one on the road. 

Jim's Play:  911. Mariners 

The Atlanta Braves are coming in hot, sweeping the Mets last time out and winning four of the last five overall. The rookie arm of Spencer Schwellenbach has been one of the more reliable pitching finds this season with 11 quality starts in 97 IP and a complete game just last week. Paul Blackburn, meanwhile, has struggled to a 6.92 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in two previous starts, highlighted by a poor start against Atlanta last week. 

The Braves are also hitting on all cylinders with Matt Olson and Austin Riley have gotten hot, and Atlanta has largely been getting the job done all around. Meanwhile, the Mets are in a deep hole, losing eight of their last nine games. The team is hitting just.218 during the skid. Injuries have not helped, either: Kodai Senga is sidelined, and Frankie Montas is still working his way back, and the rotation is weak. 

Tonight’s matchup is a race between Atlanta’s emerging young arm and New York’s ailing staff and features Mets’ bats and pitching in crisis mode. The Braves are getting the edge as they come in hot and the Mets are cold.

Jim's Play: 901. Braves

It all comes down to this, Game 7, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for the NBA Championship. Both teams have shown why they belong here, but the Thunder enter as heavy favorites. OKC was the NBA’s top regular-season team (68-14), and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nearly un-guardable, averaging over 30 points per game in the Finals and leading a home-court charge that includes eight playoff wins at Chesapeake Energy Arena this postseason. Yet Indiana has refused to fold, overcoming early deficits and clinching a lopsided Game-6 win (108-91) behind clutch play from Tyrese Haliburton and spark from T.J. McConnell.

Turning to the betting angle, Jim Feist, known for his sharp player-prop instincts, has pegged this as a high-scoring affair and is backing the “over” for the total points. With both teams playing up-tempo, trading baskets, and leaning on their star guards (SGA and Haliburton) along with efficient role players like Jalen Williams, Bennedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam, the projection makes sense. The over/under is set around 214 to 215 points, the highest for a Finals Game-7 ever.

Why Jim playing the over? First, history favors this outcome. Every team to force a Game-7 after winning Game-6 has gone on to win, and Game-7s tend to produce fireworks. Home teams typically prevail, but road dogs bring no fear-and Indiana plays its brand of fast-paced, passing-heavy basketball that pushes tempo. Both offenses thrive under pressure: OKC pours in points with SGA and Williams combining for 70-plus in Game 5, while Indiana’s bench and Haliburton’s playmaking have unlocked efficient scoring bursts.

Second, Game-7 intensity often flips defense to offense-teams push harder, pace quickens, shots come faster. Jim figures SGA’s knack for fouls, quick baskets, and Haliburton’s clutch shot-making (ask Game-1 or Game-3) will grease the scoring wheels.

Players like McConnell, Mathurin, and Siakam. who can explode offensively if left unchecked. add to the confidence in crossing 215. The big question: can the defenses clamp down, slow things down? That would be needed to hold things under the total. 

So, Jim Feist playing the over isn't a flier. it's a bet on two high-octane teams locked in at do-or-die levels, underpinned by star talent and explosive bench depth. Expect Game 7 to be a back-and-forth, full-throttle slugfest, with the over flashing green.

Enjoy the game, it’s gonna be one for the ages.

Jim's Play: 513. Pacers/Thunder OVER

Game 6 was a statement. Indiana took it to OKC 108-91 thanks to ball movement, great defense, and contributions from the likes of Obi Toppin and Andrew Nembhard while Tyrese Haliburton played through a calf injury . That’s exactly the type of game plan needed for Game 7. For the Thunder, their home court is important. Home teams have won 15 of the past 19 Finals Game 7s and this young, disciplined group has MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rising All-Star Jalen Williams .

In terms of the bet, Jim Feist has clearly sided with the Pacers. He took Indiana +8.5 (now +7.5 in some shops) and backed it up—he hit his Game 6 selection and has gone 35-28 (55.6%) during the playoffs for a net profit of +$4,820 . He likes Indiana’s momentum, control of the pace and the ball and how they force turnovers and thrive off of it. Game 7 is a continuation of that game plan.

Sure, OKC’s 68-14 regular season record still matters. They have a great defense and more depth . But the Pacers have tournament-long stretches where they have dominated, where they defend to the death and when they run in transition and shoot it. They are clearly not an underdog . If Haliburton, Siakam and Turner can repeat what they did in Game 6, Indiana can stay within that 7.5 to 8.5 point spread.

So, this isn’t just who will win the title. It’s where the value lies. Feist isn’t betting the Pacers just survive, they think they can win it or lose it by less than eight. If Indiana can replicate that second-quarter burst and slow down the Thunder, they can win the ring, or at least cover.

So betting the Pacers + points isn’t a longshot. It’s a calculated wager on momentum, matchups and betting analytics. Expect high energy, great defense and a final game worthy of its buildup.

Jim’s Play: Pacers

The Cincinnati Reds (39-38) travel to St. Louis for a crucial NL Central matchup against the Cardinals (41-35) at Busch Stadium. The Reds have lost three of four in St. Louis, including an extra-inning loss on Saturday, but have an offense capable of scoring runs (4.62 R/G), as Elly De La Cruz has hit 17 homers and has an.837 OPS while TJ Friedl has been hitting.289. They rank 10th in steals (54) . Their pitching has been solid (16th in ERA, 3.91, and 10th in WHIP, 1.23) but their bullpen has struggled recently (5.25 ERA in last ten games).

Lefty Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.84 ERA) is on the mound for Cincinnati. Abbott has been impressive on the road (3-0, 1.45 ERA) and has a 3–2 record (4.31 ERA) against St. Louis . His ability to limit walks (1.01 WHIP) is an added bonus that gives the Reds the best chance to get a good start against the Cardinals’ bats.

St. Louis is hot, winning five in a row to get within striking distance of the top of the NL Central. Their offense has been about even (7th in R/G, 4.74; 14th in AVG,.256; 7th in OPS,.724) with Brendan Donovan leading with a.312 AVG and.817 OPS. Defensively, they’re around the middle of the pack (18th in ERA, 3.94; 15th in WHIP, 1.27).

Miles Mikolas will take the mound for St. Louis. Mikolas is 4-4 with a 4.35 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He’s struggled at home (1-2, 5.01 ERA) and has a 6-8 record with a 5.53 ERA against the Reds . This may be an opportunity for Cincinnati, if Abbott can get them an early lead and they get strong work out of their short-handed bullpen.

That sets up a very tight game with Cincinnati as a slight dog on the moneyline (+100 or around +106 on most books), but several factors work in the Reds’ favor: they’ve won six of eight games as an underdog.  In addition, St. Louis and Cincinnati have had a tendency to play low-scoring games in the early innings, and Abbott and Mikolas have been capable of limiting runs.

It sets up a low-scoring pitcher’s duel between Abbott and Mikolas, and this is one where I feel the short-handed Reds have a edge. 

Jim's Play: 953. Reds 

Interleague action here on Sunday, June 22 has the Milwaukee Brewers visiting Target Field in Minnesota to face the Twins. 

The Brewers arrive in Minnesota with momentum, having taken the first two games in the series by two runs apiece. Saturday, Jose Quintana (six innings, three hits, no walks) and Isaac Collins (two hits, four strikeouts) fueled a 9-0 victory . Friday, the Brewers put 17 runs on the Twins, driven by Christian Yelich’s career-high eight RBIs and Jacob Misiorowski’s no-hit effort through the seventh inning . The Brewers (42-35) are now riding high after these performances, and their rookie starter Quinn Priester (5-2, 3.46 ERA) has been strong in his last start, allowing just one run in six innings in his most recent start .

The Twins (39-37) have lost two of three at Cincinnati and now two games to the Brewers. Minnesota’s starter David Festa (1-1, 4.78 ERA) is capable of striking out batters (9.9 K/9), but he has never lasted long in a game this season and has been unable to keep runs from scoring . The Twins’ overmatched offense (.243 batting average, no power) looks vulnerable to the surging Brewers (4.4 runs per game in the last ten games) .

Despite this powerless lineup, the Twins find themselves aboutt a 1.45 favorite to a hot Brewers team. 

The Twins looking out of sorts and Priester in top form, the value here goes to the Brewers, to swing the upset. Another wild afternoon at Target Field is in the works, where Brewers pitching and plate discipline should be enough to keep the Twins from getting to the plate at the right times.

Jim's Play: 973. Brewers 

Winnipeg arrives in Vancouver after a convincing 34–20 win over the Lions one week ago, despite missing their QB Zach Collaros due to suspension. Backup Chris Streveler was sharp at QB, throwing three TDs and rushing well, while rookie Matthew Peterson replaced injured RB Brady Oliveira for 130 yards . With Collaros back, the Bombers regain their two-time Most Outstanding Player at QB, a boost to their rhythm and offensive identity.

B.C. comes into the rematch uncertain at QB. Nathan Rourke, who was hurried into 12 completions on 27 attempts in the loss, is questionable due to an upper-body injury sustained late in that same game . Backup Jeremiah Masoli is expected to play if Rourke is unable to go, but Masoli’s return from an Achilles injury last season had mixed results. The B.C. offense that flew so high last week has shown some cracks against the Bombers.

Winnipeg defended B.C. by containing Rourke and relying on coverages to shut them down last week . The Bombers will try to do the same on the road. B.C. will have to tighten up its secondary and put pressure on Collaros early to prevent him from getting into a rhythm in the slick dome.

The Bombers also have some depth in the backfield, as well. They’ve brought in rookie Quinton Cooley to dress and made an O-line shift to slot Gabe Wallace at left guard . That continuity in the trenches should allow them to maintain balance between run and pass, even without Oliveira.

Simply put, Saturday’s game in Vancouver promises a classic rematch: Winnipeg with fresh QB strength and a versatile run game, while B.C. looks to bounce back despite QB uncertainty. I'll take the points at home here on Saturday with the Lions. 

Jim's Play: 724. BC Lions 

Calgary heads into McMahon Stadium looking to continue their hot start to the 2025 season. Calgary’s offense is operating on all cylinders with QB Vernon Adams Jr. under center and Dedric Mills, who is leading the team in rushing yards, contributing on the ground. Meanwhile, a stingy defense that’s allowed 22.5 points per game is tied for third in the league and has a secondary that’s picked off multiple passes already.

Ottawa heads into the matchup at 0–2 and struggles on both sides of the ball. Originally expected to start Dru Brown at quarterback, the Redblacks instead went with Matthew Shiltz, who threw three interceptions last week in the 39–18 loss to Montreal. Their running back position has been inconsistent, and the team leads the league in penalties (23 in two games) to start the season, making it even harder on a defense that’s given up 35 points per game. First-year defensive coordinator William Fields will need to get the group to clean up their act and play a cleaner, more disciplined game.

The key to the game: Ottawa has to limit turnovers and penalties that have plagued them early on, while disrupting Adams Jr. and dictating tempo. Calgary will look to continue their dominance by keeping possession and controlling the pace of the game. 

Simply put, Ottawa needs a clean game from Shiltz and clean play across the board to stay in this game. Calgary is playing at home and is firing on all cylinders, and they’ll be looking to put the screws to Ottawa early and control this game into the fourth quarter.

Jim's PLay: 722. Cal Stampeders (Game of the Week)

It’s going to be a busy day for the Braves at loanDepot Park. Atlanta is a strong moneyline favorite  but that’s not by accident . The Marlins opened the series with a 6–2 win behind a three-run homer from Agustín Ramírez, but Atlanta’s offense will likely bounce back. They’ve averaged 5.0 runs per game when favored and gone 7–3 in their last 10 such spots. They’ve also dominated the Marlins of late, winning three of the last four matchups. Matt Olson is on a 10-game hit streak and is tied for first on the team in home runs (15) . Austin Riley is providing solid support, batting.274. Atlanta looks fresh. 

Grant Holmes on the mound offers strikeout upside (he had a career-high 15 in his last start) but has a history of allowing home runs and a stretch of up-and-down results on the road . Miami counters with Eury Pérez, still working through the rust after injury and boasting elite velocity but shaky command. Perez hasn’t gotten that out-of-sorts game in his early home start and that opens the door for Atlanta to control the game.

The series gives Atlanta a chance to stay on track. They rolled into Miami with momentum after sweeping the Mets. I expect Atlanta’s offense to make a comeback early, attacking Perez’s inconsistent control and Holmes will eventually settle in. The bullpen has been steady lately and in a park that stifles offense, that’s the recipe for a win. 

Jim's Play: 903. Braves

Seattle and Chicago square off at Wrigley Field Friday, June 20, 2025. This interleague matchup should be a good one. The Cubs are a game out of first place in the NL Central at 45-28 . They will be starting lefty Matthew Boyd. He has been solid this year with a 6-3 record and a 2.79 ERA over 80 innings . They will be going against right-hander George Kirby. He has been up and down this year, but he has had 19 strikeouts in his last two games and won both . 

The offense has been better for the Cubs. They are one of the better offenses in baseball, scoring over 5 runs a game with 99 homers and a.436 slugging percentage . Pete Crow-Armstrong has been the big bat for the Cubs. He has 20 homers and 20 steals . Seattle’s offense has been good, but not great. They have hit 91 homers and have a.394 slugging percentage. They are slightly below league average in runs scored . Cal Raleigh has 27 homers to lead the M’s. Overall, they score about 4.3 runs a game .

Early on, I think it will be a close game. However, in the late innings, the power of the Cubs could open it up. If the game goes long, Chicago will win. I am taking the Cubs in a close one.

Jim's Play: 972. Cubs 

6/19 05:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET  

NBA   (511) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER  VS  (512) INDIANA PACERS

Take: 512. Pacers +6.5 

Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals begins Thursday, June 19, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With the Thunder taking a 3–2 series lead after winning Game 5 by a final of 120-109, they’re now one victory away from clinching their first-ever title in Oklahoma City .

Oklahoma City is entering this game full of confidence and balance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 32.7 ppg in the regular season and eclipsing 30 per game in the playoffs They shot the three well - OKC hit 14 threes at nearly 44%—and forced 22 turnovers, giving them a decisive advantage .

Meanwhile, Indiana is on the ropes. Their own star duo of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam battled OKC’s starters head-to-head, but Haliburton’s calf injury sapped him to just four points in Game 5 . Siakam’s still scoring at a clip of 28, but with Haliburton limited, the Pacers couldn’t sustain momentum and struggled to create scoring opportunities . They’ll need more to advance, but with Haliburton at less than full strength, they may have a tougher road to traverse.

Coach Rick Carlisle has received plaudits for his strategic ingenuity—using zone defense, full-court pressure, and long-range passing to remain competitive at home . I don't believe it matters if Haliburton is not 100% today, this Pacers team will fight tooth and nail to the end with the personel they have at hand. 

The Thunder are favored again on the road, a place they have covered just once in all the playoffs this season, going 1-8 ATS. Oklahoma City is playing with confidence and momentum, using elite shooting, pressure defense, and star playmakers to move on to Game 6. Indiana has fight and a home-crowd boost and I look for them to fight all the way to end in this game. They might not win, but I do see them covering the spread here on Thursday. 

Jim's Play: 512. Pacers  

Interleague action here on Wednesday as the Reds (37-35) host the Minnesota Twins (36-36). The Reds hold the edge in this one at 37-35, fresh off eight wins in their last 10. LHP Nick Lodolo (4-5, 3.76 ERA) starts for the Reds. He’s struck out 70 in 79 innings and is punching Ks at a career-best clip . Lodolo’s home ERA is worse, but his hard stuff and consistency make him tough to hit, and the Reds are riding high offensively, eighth in runs per game and led by Elly De La Cruz’s 16 homers and.850 OPS .

RHP Bailey Ober (4-3, 4.40 ERA) takes the hill for Minnesota. He’s been less effective at missing bats this year and is allowing 1.6 homers per nine . The Twins have struggled (9-11 in their last 11) and are teetering around .500 (36–36). They still have firepower in Byron Buxton and Ty France, who could easily change the game with a bomb or two .

The market and analytics point to an over-leaning game with a total set around 9 runs. With the favorable weather and Lodolo’s volatility at home (5.85 ERA in home starts), it’s likely this game is played in a more open style, with the bullpens a chance to turn it late .

The Reds come in hot with home-field advantage and a more potent offense, while the Twins hope Ober can keep them in the game and the bats wake up. Expect a tight, high-scoring affair where a key inning could swing it under the lights.

Jim's Play: 975. Twins/Reds OVER

It's an Interleague battle as the Arizona Diamondbacks (35-35) take on the Toronto Blue Jays (38-33) on Wednesday, June 18, 7:07 p.m. EST, from the Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON. This match-up features the up-and-down Arizona Diamondbacks, looking to take on the hot Toronto Blue Jays.

Arizona comes into this game with some momentum, winning five of their last seven, and two of their last three against San Diego. However, their bullpen is near the bottom of the league in ERA, hovering around 5.20, and will have to step up as Eduardo Rodríguez (6.27 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) is the scheduled starter, with occasional flashes of excellence .

Toronto (38-33) has sold tickets more consistently and have been on a hot streak, but was swept by Philadelphia and may be a little out of sync . Toronto will send out lefty Eric Lauer (2.37 ERA, 0.92 WHIP over 30 innings), who has been a stabilizing force in the rotation with his ability to limit hard contact . With a better mound, the Blue Jays have a clear edge.

The Diamondbacks have some pop in the line-up with Eugenio Suárez (21 HRs) and Corbin Carroll (20 HRs), but the Blue Jays have Bo Bichette at the plate with a steady bat and George Springer, who can blast the ball . Toronto eked out a close win last night, scoring in the ninth on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s heroics, but the Blue Jays are looking to find the offense that went AWOL in the Philly sweep .

I'm taking the hot Jays here again on Wednesday after they big comeback last night. 

Jim's Play: 974. Blue Jays 

On Tuesday the Golden State Valkyries will travel to Arlington to face the Dallas Wings in their WNBA matchup. The Valkyries demonstrated strong development in their inaugural season with a balanced 5-5 standing after securing consecutive victories against veteran teams Seattle, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Kayla Thornton delivered an outstanding inside performance and effective defense held opponents to less than 41% shooting for the 76-70 win against the Storm.

The Golden State roster expanded with valuable depth prior to this match after acquiring Kaitlyn Chen and Chloe Bibby to replace players participating in EuroBasket. Paige Bueckers' previous acquaintance with Chen from their UConn era brings intrigue to the team while Bibby's global background will support the Valkyries' rotational stability.

In contrast, Dallas has struggled mightily. Dallas Wings have only one victory after 12 games and face a 11-game home defeat streak but they have had offensive highlights like Arike Ogunbowale scoring 26 points yet their defensive performance is weak because they allow almost 88.5 points per game. Dallas faces depth issues after losing Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder to EuroBasket and now having Maddy Siegrist injured with a leg problem .

That matchup is critical: The Warriors interior game led by Thornton’s double-digit rebounding totals should take advantage of Dallas’s diminished paint protection. The Valkyries' team identity which focuses on aggressive and adaptable defensive strategies started to emerge during Natalie Nakase’s first season as head coach.

The Valkyries are expected to establish control over the game's tempo from the beginning. They’ve demonstrated their ability to establish fast leads and maintain them yet the Wings have struggled with maintaining their composure when facing pressure at home.  Golden State’s extended bench depth will maintain rotational freshness while their strategy targets the Wings' depleted front line. 

Jim's Play: 621. Valkyries +3 (5 PT / 8 ET)

Coming off a clean six-inning performance against Detroit, the Orioles deploy right-hander Dean Kremer to the mound. Despite his season ERA sitting at 4.99 Kremer has shown consistent success against the Rays with a 2-1 record and a 2.31 ERA in seven starts against them. He faces Zack Littell as the Rays have a strong overall ERA of 3.84 and improved performance with a 3.10 ERA in his most recent 11 starts. Littell shows a pattern of allowing long balls as demonstrated by the 21 homers he has surrendered this season, a record high for the team.

Ryan Pepiot's 11-strikeout performance led Tampa Bay to a 7-1 victory on Monday giving them momentum before tonight’s game. The Rays now hold a 39-32 record which positions them second in the AL East while trailing New York by only 3.5 games. The Orioles have faced a difficult season with a record of 30-40 which places them at the bottom of the division standings.

When playing away from Camden Yards Baltimore’s offense produces an average of just 3.6 runs per game. The Orioles have shown inconsistent performance at the plate but managed to sweep the Angels during their previous series. In Tampa Bay’s lineup Jonathan Aranda leads with a .324 average and 17 homers alongside Junior Caminero who also hit 17 homers.

All signs point to another strong night for the Rays: The Rays benefit from having a robust pitching team and their boosted confidence following Monday’s decisive win while playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Orioles need Kremer to perform at his former level against Tampa Bay to generate early runs and secure victory. 

Jim's Play: 914. Rays 

The Twins travel to Cincinnati on Tuesday June 17 with positive spirits after having a day off. Right-handed pitcher David Festa gets the nod with a 1-1 record and a 4.76 ERA that includes 25 strikeouts across 22-innings. His performance has shown moments of skill yet his 1.32 WHIP combined with recent inconsistency raises doubts regarding his ability to confront the Reds’ powerful hitters.

Southpaw Andrew Abbott will start for the Reds with an impressive 6-1 record and a 1.87 ERA through nearly 63 innings. Throughout this season he has shown dominance by combining precise command with contact suppression making it difficult for adversaries to find weaknesses. The Reds have secured seven victories in their past nine matches while they have claimed four wins from their last five home games resulting in strong performance at Great American Ball Park.

Minnesota's offensive performance measures as average since they average 4.2 runs per game which puts them around the middle rank in MLB. Without power hitters Byron Buxton the Twins' lineup struggles since players like Brooks Lee and Carlos Correa must produce more for the team. The Reds maintain an average of 4.6 runs per game with Elly De La Cruz and TJ Friedl leading their lineup while De La Cruz hit a home run and drove in three during Sunday's victory against Detroit.

The Reds hold the advantage in tonight’s matchup. The Reds hold the advantage because Abbott has performed at an elite level this season while Cincinnati boasts strong recent home success along with powerful offensive capabilities. 

Jim's Play: 926. Reds 

 Brandon Pfaadt will pitch for Arizona with his 8-4 record. Pfaad has an inflated 5.50 ERA along with a 1.42 WHIP and 14 home runs allowed over 70 innings that raises concerns. Pfaadt faces new challenges against Toronto tonight which casts doubt on his performance effectiveness. Chris Bassitt stands strong for Toronto with a 7-3 record and a 3.70 ERA while striking out 78 batters and maintaining a 1.31 WHIP across his 80 innings pitched by consistently delivering seven innings each game and showcasing excellent command through June's outings.

The Blue Jays carry an edge into this series as light favorites (-130 moneyline) while they maintain a strong home record of 22-13 compared to the Diamondbacks' 16-17 road performance. The Diamondbacks have established themselves as a solid offensive team by averaging 5.1 runs per game which ranks fourth in MLB thanks to Eugenio Suárez's 21 home runs and Josh Naylor’s .300 batting average. Arizona’s bullpen faces heightened demands following ace Corbin Burnes’ Tommy John surgery which led to extra burdens for their rotation and relief staff.

Toronto should maintain control early with Bassitt on the mound. I look for the Jays better home record to stand out here tonight against an average road Arizona team. 

Jim's Play: 924. Blue Jays 

The Connecticut Sun travels to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, June 17 with indications for a high-scoring matchup that will likely exceed the total. Since Caitlin Clark returned to the Fever's lineup following her standout performance against New York she averages 90.8 points per game when she plays while Indiana scores 76.4 points per game without her. The offensive boost acts as the primary driving force behind increased expectations.

This season Connecticut has struggled defensively giving up 88.2 points each game while Indiana has allowed opponents to score an average of 77.6 points. The high scoring tendencies of both teams strengthen the case for an offensive explosion because Indiana has surpassed the total in four of its last six home contests and the Sun in four out of six games overall.

The two teams combined for 168 points in their previous matchup on May 30 surpassing the previous total of 158.5. The current trend together with Indiana's scoring drive and Connecticut's defensive weaknesses strongly suggests this game will exceed the projected 165 points. The combined offensive force of Clark with the Fever together with the Sun’s variable offensive strength leads to a full-speed game featuring both teams. Indiana surpassing the spread with ease indicates we'll see an exciting matchup with a high score in Indianapolis tonight.

JIm's Play: 615. Sun/Fever OVER 

Game 5 of the NBA Finals series moves to Oklahoma City after currently being tied at 2-2. The Thunder benefits from home-court advantage because they achieved a strong 68-14 regular season record. After delivering a dominant Game 4 performance where they outscored Indiana 31-17 in the fourth quarter and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of the final 16 points OKC enters game 5 feeling confident and in control. 

Indiana, however, arrives with resilience. Tyrese Haliburton provided critical Game 1 and Game 3 performances to stun OKC with a game-winning jumper in the opener and a near triple-double output in Game 3. Coach Rick Carlisle has maintained his team’s concentration throughout the series by labeling the Thunder as a “daunting challenge” and encouraging his players to focus on each game individually. Despite facing criticism for its lack of aggressiveness the team still relies heavily on Haliburton for their offensive tempo and ball distribution.

The Oklahoma City Thunder's disciplined defense led by MVP Shai and their top-five historical standing faces off against Indiana's dynamic high-tempo offense spearheaded by Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Alex Caruso's strong bench play gives OKC an advantage through their deep roster but Indiana's late-game performance could turn the tide if the match reaches crunch time. The outcome of Game 5 depends on Oklahoma City locking down defensively and controlling the fourth quarter versus Indiana using their clutch momentum and ball movement to win Game 5 on their home ground.

It's been a tough series thus far and the Pacers have been there at the end in most of the games. If we can get +10 all the better, but I'll take +9.5 with Indiana. 

Jim's Play: Indiana Pacers

The Phoenix Sun head to Las Vegas in the best physical condition of their entire season. The team expects Kahleah Copper to return from knee surgery to join Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally who has been leading in both scoring and rebounding . Sabally's 20-point performance led the Mercury to a 93-80 victory against Dallas while their season rankings show them at eighth in shooting efficiency and within the top five for defensive performance.

Las Vegas secured an 88-84 victory against Dallas but their performance was inconsistent since MVP A’ja Wilson was absent due to concussion protocol. Jackie Young scored 28 points during that match while Jewell Loyd added 21 points to the scoreboard. The Las Vegas Aces experience defensive struggles which let opponents shoot over 47 percent and fail to control rebounds while their offensive output stays around the mid?80s each game.

A healthy Mercury team with good balance faces an Aces side missing their key player. Phoenix will take control in the fourth quarter if both Copper and Thomas perform well alongside Sabally's continued strong play. Las Vegas possesses skilled players in Young and Loyd yet must strengthen its defense and rebounding to maintain competitiveness in this game. 

I expect the Sun to run away with this contest as they are the healthiest they have been all season long.

Jim's Play: Phx Mercury

The Diamondbacks plan to finish their weekend series strongly at Chase Field on Sunday, June 15, 2025, when Merrill Kelly faces off against Padres' pitcher Nick Pivetta. Kelly demonstrated impressive performance during this season achieving a 6-2 record alongside a 3.43 ERA by maintaining consistency with his fastball-slider combination. While Pivetta shows inconsistent performance, Arizona’s hitters have been performing exceptionally well leading up to this match.

Arizona’s bats have maintained a strong performance throughout June as they’ve secured eight victories in their first 11 games while producing an average of more than five runs per contest with impressive offensive statistics including a .332 on-base percentage and .449 slugging percentage. Corbin Carroll excels as he hits his 20th home run already and continues to deliver power and speed from the leadoff spot in the lineup. Ketel Marte and Josh Naylor display strong hitting performances while Geraldo Perdomo provides essential lineup balance through his defensive skills and ability to bat from both sides.

The Diamondbacks offense looks to take advantage of Chase Field’s hitter-friendly afternoon conditions if Pivetta leaves any pitches in the strike zone. Kelly has shown strong performance on the mound against San Diego with a 9–4 career record and 3.36 ERA and consistently pitched deep into games this season proving Arizona needs such durability in tight series.

I'll be on the hosts in this one as I play Arizona. 

Jim's Play: Arizona Diamondbacks

Brandon Walter will make his home debut on the mound for Houston as a rookie lefty who permitted just two earned runs across his first 11 innings while striking out 10 opponents and maintaining a .220 opponent batting average despite recovering from a shoulder injury. The Twins respond by selecting Simeon Woods Richardson who stands at a 2-3 record with a 5.74 ERA and 1.61 WHIP after nine starts without any quality performances while struggling with command that lets opponents hit .300.

The Astros have a record of 39-30 which places them at the top of the AL West with a 4.5-game lead while maintaining a three-game winning streak and having won 7 of their last 10 games which results in an 89.8% playoff probability. Despite staying competitive in the AL Central race with their 36-33 record the Twins have shown recent struggles due to heavy scoring losses against Texas in their recent series. Houston's batting performance shows a slight advantage with a .254 average and .711 OPS compared to Minnesota's .244/.706 stats.

This game looks ready to become a battle between the two teams' pitchers. Walter possesses both poise and swing-and-miss capabilities but Woods Richardson has not yet achieved reliable consistency.  The Astros can secure their fourth consecutive win if Walter controls the zone and Houston’s lineup of Pena, Altuve, Paredes, and Christian Walker delivers runs. Minnesota's ability to create early pressure through effective scratching can push Walter into trouble and lead to a tense, low-scoring game.

The game will feature stellar pitching and strong defensive play while small margins like a walk or a timely hit will determine the outcome. I look to the Astros to win this contest on Sunday. 

Jim's Play: 920. Astros 

The Cardinals and Brewers revive their historic I-55 rivalry in Milwaukee on Sunday, June 15 with the game starting at 2:10 p.m. ET (11:10 a.m. PDT). 23-year-old pitcher Quinn Priester takes the mound for the Brewers after compiling a 3.65 ERA and a 4-2 record through 61.2 innings. Veteran right-handed pitcher Miles Mikolas steps up for St. Louis with a 4-3 record and 4.48 ERA through 66.1 innings.

Milwaukee currently stands at 38 wins and 33 losses after losing their latest game against St. Louis by a score of 8–5 where they faced defeat despite Nolan Gorman hitting a three-run homer and Willson Contreras delivering a late homer. This victory ended a six-game losing streak for the Cardinals who now stand at 37–34 and are intent on creating momentum. The Brewers' momentum from May has decreased during June as they experienced a 2-4 start to their current home series.

The Cardinals lead offensively because they have a .255 batting average and a .326 OBP while tying Milwaukee with 63 homers. The Cardinals depend on the strong hitting performances of Nolan Gorman and Contreras while Milwaukee responds with Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick who maintains a batting average close to .300.

The matchup features Milwaukee's rising star Priester who shows impressive stats with a 1.30 WHIP and 43 strikeouts while facing off against Mikolas who shows veteran strength but allows more hits with 70 and maintains a higher ERA. The hitters enjoy a significant advantage at American Family Field where both starting pitchers must navigate a powerful batting order.

I look for the Brewers to rebound here on Sunday and take this final game of their rivalry series on Sunday. 

Jim's Play: 906. Brewers 

The MLB matchup between Rays and Mets takes place at Citi Field on June 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM PDT.

After achieving a 45-24 record and a six-game winning streak ended by Tampa Bay’s dramatic victory on Friday, New York emerges as the favorite team. Tylor Megill (5-4, 3.76 ERA) prepares to pitch with three consecutive starts of at least five innings and just two earned runs allowed in his most recent game.

Drew Rasmussen (5-4, 2.22 ERA) stands between the Rays and victory as he brings experience to the mound with six quality starts to his recent credit including a two-run performance over six innings against Miami. The Mets lineup presents significant challenges for right-handed pitchers as they rank among the top MLB teams in wRC+ over the past two weeks which could give New York an advantage today.

This promises to be a tight contest. New York Mets exhibit elite offensive capabilities with Pete Alonso’s seventeen homers and Juan Soto’s combination of power and patience while their pitching leads MLB with the best ERA and lowest opponent batting average. Tampa Bay relies on a dynamic young lineup with Junior Caminero (15 homers) and Jonathan Aranda (.322 average) while their pitching staff demonstrated resilience by closing out Friday’s comeback attempt.

The Rays have a great shot here on Saturday and that's enough for me to give them a shot. 

Jim's Play: Take: 979. Rays

The Indiana Fever will play against the New York Liberty who remain unbeaten in the WNBA when they return home Saturday, June 14. Indiana will have a significant boost: After injury-induced absences, Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham will now return to the hardcourt. Clark missed five games due to a quad strain but returns with her league-leading stats of 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game while playing a key role in Indiana's narrow 90-88 defeat against New York on May 24. Cunningham missed three games but practiced on Friday and appears prepared to contribute. The return of Clark and Cunningham resulted in Aari McDonald’s removal from the team but simultaneously enhanced roster depth and playmaking capabilities.

Still, the Fever have shortcomings: DeWanna Bonner continues to be out for personal reasons while the team shows signs of trouble with rebounds and interior defense stability. Indiana's record stands at 4-5 because they must improve their performance on both offense and defense fronts.

The Liberty team keeps pushing forward with unstoppable momentum. The New York Liberty maintain an undefeated 9-0 record while scoring approximately 90 points per game and keeping their opponents below 72 points. The team lost a tight 90-88 match to Indiana but has otherwise defeated opponents by at least ten points with several games reaching blowout margins of nearly 20 points. Breanna Stewart maintains her position as the leading offensive force by scoring roughly 19 points each game while Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud provide consistent playmaking abilities. Kennedy Burke has shown remarkable shooting ability from beyond the arc by successfully making over 63 percent of his three-point attempts.

Both teams strive for a Commissioner’s Cup spot which makes the stakes very high. Indiana’s depth returns but New York’s dominance is clear: The Liberty leads with an elite offense and stout defense while boosted by confidence from their recent victories. Liberty stands out as the favorites to keep their winning streak alive on Saturday . 

Jim's Play: 603. Liberty  

The Indiana Pacers claimed Game 3 decisively to establish a 2–1 advantage in the series following their initial two game splits. The upcoming Indianapolis matchup features both teams retaining their primary game plans as they prepare for Friday’s game.

Indiana arrives on the upswing. Coach Rick Carlisle has guided the Pacers to embrace their underdog status while teaching his team to remain focused and acknowledge the Thunder's powerful presence. Game 3 was a showcase of their depth: Tyrese Haliburton directed the team's offense superbly while approaching a triple-double as Bennedict Mathurin led the bench with 27 points. Draymond Green highlighted Pascal Siakam as the primary playmaker whose performance will determine their momentum. The Pacers are playing with a deeper purpose that connects their current performance to the city’s ABA roots and their ongoing season journey.

Oklahoma City continues to depend on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who leads the Finals in scoring with nearly 30 points per game. Coach Mark Daigneault described Game 3 as atypical and plans to implement strategic adjustments to combat fatigue and pressure that hindered their performance. Jalen Williams rebounded in Game 3 with 26 points and now faces heightened expectations to restore his deep-shooting form as analysts predict multiple three-point makes from him .

The upcoming game will be defined by momentum shifts and strategic adjustments alongside the energy from playing at home. The Pacers maintain their advantage at Gainbridge with a performance marked by strong confidence and team unity. The Thunder have not experienced consecutive playoff losses this season so their resilience following defeats could change the game dynamics if they repeat their response like they did against Denver in an earlier playoff round.

Another interesting note is that the Thunder have yet to cover a game on the road in the playoffs.  Just as we saw here in game 3 at Indy.  

In short: expect intensity. The Pacers will exploit every mismatch on the floor while drawing energy from their home crowd while OKC must regain their defensive strength and put Gilgeous-Alexander in a consistent rhythm. The outcome of Game 4 is highly significant because a victory in this game could determine the series' remaining trajectory. For me, I have to go with the home team as the Thunder have yet to prove they can cover even one game away from home. 

Jim's Play: 508. Pacers 

Under Friday night lights at Camden Yards Baltimore hosts the Angels. Charlie Morton toes the rubber for Baltimore with a 2–7 record and a 6.59 ERA across 15 games. The Orioles depend heavily on bullpen support and pitching efficiency because he produces five quality starts while averaging just 3.7 innings per outing. Jack Kochanowicz takes the mound for the Angels entering this matchup with a record of 3-7 alongside a 5.61 earned run average. He has delivered four quality starts and averaged 5.2 innings but his road ERA stands at a troubling 6.06.

Baltimore is experiencing offensive production challenges but managed to secure victories in two out of three games during a recent series against Detroit. The Orioles will rely on power hitters Gunnar Henderson who has 77 homers and 39 stolen bases at a .268 batting average and Tyler O’Neill who recently hit his sixth Opening Day homer in a row for offensive firepower. The Angels respond with their experienced core which consists of Mike Trout, Nolan Schanuel, Taylor Ward, Jorge Soler and newly called-up Christian Moore.

Bullpens may swing the outcome. Baltimore holds the 26th spot in reliever ERA with 4.74 and Los Angeles follows close behind at 28th with a 5.54 ERA. The game will likely become volatile in the final innings when the starting pitcher is removed early from play.

Two bad starting pitchers and two bottom ranking bullpens. I'll be on the OVER here tonight. 

Jim's Play: 913. Angles/Orioles OVER 

 The Thursday night matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals marks the beginning of a fascinating encounter in their intense battle for supremacy in the National League Central. Jacob Misiorowski joins the Brewers as their top prospect for his major league debut while showcasing his 103 mph fastball and 2.27 ERA from Triple-A with 80 strikeouts across 63-innings and a minor league strikeout rate of 31.6%. The Brewers brought up their new starter to American Family Field to strengthen their rotation depth while also seeking a home game advantage.

Sonny Gray arrives on the mound with a 7–1 record while having achieved consecutive shutout performances across 13-innings where he allowed only one walk and struck out 15 batters. Gray continues to deliver dependable performances which give the St. Louis strong stability when facing a Milwaukee team that is still working to find its game this month.

While the debut story attracted media attention, this matchup extends beyond surface-level excitement. With Cardinals at 36–32 and Brewers at 36–33 both teams are just half a game apart in the Central standings and Thursday's game takes on major division race ramifications as four games are up for grabs this weekend. The St. Louis Cardinals need to break their current losing streak while the Milwaukee Brewers attempt to improve their underperforming home record of 2–4 for June.

The Cardinals depend on their leading batting average (.257) and double production for offensive power but experience difficulties when playing away from home. The Milwaukee lineup relies on veteran players and standout performances behind Misiorowski following multiple offseason losses. 

A high-stakes debut will produce a classic pitching showdown. Gray delivers consistency and a solid approach while Misiorowski offers promise with the potential to ignite the game. 

For me, I'm going with experience over the potential. I know what we have with Gray, a solid starter with a 7-1 record this year. The Brewers phenom might be great, might now, but tonight I'm taking the Cardinals in this one. 

Jim's Play: 955. Cardinals 

After a spectacular 111–110 buzzer-beater the Pacers in Game 1 by shutting down the Thunder’s narrow lead and making consistent plays in critical moments. The Pacers took over home court with that win. Indiana’s success during Game 1 revealed Oklahoma City’s primary weakness which is their offense becomes stagnant when both Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam perform well. The Thunder made a strong comeback in Game 2 with a commanding 123–107 home victory thanks to Shai Gilgeous Alexander's 34 points along with a 20-point bench contribution from Alex Caruso and comprehensive team defensive rebounding which limited Indiana’s scoring efficiency. That bounce-back showcased why the Thunder are the favorite: Their rotation achieves balanced scoring while also applying top-tier perimeter pressure.

Now playing three of their next five games at home in Indiana gives the Pacers perfect conditions to let Haliburton set game pace and for Siakam to exploit mismatch opportunities while role players Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin secure key attempts. To maintain their position in the game Oklahoma City needs to minimize turnovers because they depend on converting mistakes into transition points and even a short scoring lapse might prove expensive.

The upcoming Game 3 promises to be an intense battle for team momentum. Indiana stands a chance to earn a 2-1 series lead by capturing their Game 1 energy while keeping their half-court game effective. Oklahoma City’s defensive strength combined with their roster depth would be able to completely overwhelm that energy if they gain an early lead. The upcoming match promises intense competition where early advantages might determine the series' outcome. 

That being said, the fact that the Thunder have yet to cover a road game in the playoffs and the Pacers looking to bounce back here on Wednesday will have me the host dog in this one.  I'm taking the Pacers in game 3. 

Jim's Play: 506. Indiana Pacers

Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will host Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals between Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers with the series evenly matched at one game each. Oklahoma City Thunder turned the tables in Game 2 with a commanding 123-107 win after Indiana Pacers snatched Game 1 in a nail-biting finish. Oklahoma City MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads them to maintain resilience throughout the season with an 18-2 record regardless of losses. The Thunder's offensive production tends to decrease during away playoff games compared to home games and Indiana plans to take advantage of this pattern.

Indiana's quick offensive style and excellent three-point shooting were essential to their surprising Game 1 victory. Tyrese Haliburton must excel in playmaking because his skill in generating plays for teammates takes precedence over his own scoring reputation. Indiana receives a significant home-court advantage because they maintain strong playoff performances at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a 6-2 record straight up and 5-3 against the spread. Indiana's role players who excel at shooting three-pointers need to improve their performance because their combined long-range shooting proved pivotal during Game 1. 

The Thunder will use their tough perimeter defense to prevent Indiana from succeeding with long-range shots and push them into difficult positions. The upcoming Game 3 outcome will depend on which team best executes their strategy while leveraging their home-court advantage after proving their adaptive skills in previous games. 

I look for the Pacers to get many more points here at home and the Thunder to keep pace. I'm taking the OVER here in game 3. 

Jim's Play: 505 Pacers/Thunder OVER 228

The Yankees will play their second game their series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Kansas City faced a punishing defeat as New York rushed to a 10–2 victory during Tuesday night's opening game. Austin Wells started the game strong by hitting a three-run homer and ending with five RBIs while Aaron Judge hit a towering 469-foot blast, which became the longest hit of the season next to Mike Trout and Logan O’Hoppe's shots with a rocket-like exit velocity of 117.9 mph. Following his only subpar performance Max Fried redeemed himself by pitching seven innings and conceding just two runs which helped maintain Yankee dominance throughout the game.

New York’s Clarke Schmidt (2–3, 4.04 ERA) will start tonight’s game against Kansas City’s Kris Bubic (5–3, 1.43 ERA). After performing well against right-handed batters yet struggling against lefties, Schmidt will take the mound with six days of rest to emulate Fried's successful return. While Bubic leads all Major League pitchers in ERA he also boasts five consecutive quality starts alongside keeping opposing hitters under a .100 batting average without allowing them to hit his changeup out of the park.

Despite inconsistent offensive performances Kansas City has managed to remain competitive. The team called up promising Jac Caglianone and picked up Nick Loftin and John Rave to strengthen their lineup but they have only recorded one victory in their last four games. Bubic maintained competitive games until Tuesday when he surrendered six runs yet his team initially took early leads before their performance declined again.

The Royals have a great chance tonight with Bubic on the hill. I'll take them as a small, live dog here on Wednesday. 

Jim's Play: Take: 922. Royals +1.04 

The Major League Baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field tonight features an exciting pitching showdown and represents a crucial contest for both teams to strengthen their positions. The Arizona Diamondbacks emerged victorious in an 8-4 extra-inning game against the Mariners after spectacularly bouncing back from a late-game deficit and securing the win with a walk-off grand slam. Arizona Diamondbacks gained a strong momentum boost after their emotional win following their three-game losing streak that lasted until Monday.

Logan Evans will take the mound for Seattle and brings a notable 3-1 win-loss record together with a 2.83 ERA. Evans has reliably delivered strong performances for Seattle through his exceptional run prevention skills. Despite having an impressive ERA, Logan Evans' FIP of 4.73 indicates he might have received some luck during the season while Arizona aims to target his pitching weaknesses.

Brandon Pfaadt will pitch for the Diamondbacks with a record of 7 wins and 4 losses but a higher Earned Run Average of 5.51. Pfaadt finds himself having difficulty at Chase Field with a 6.23 ERA while he has allowed 13 home runs during his 65.1 innings pitched this season. Seattle's Cal Raleigh's current MLB home run lead of 26 makes him a key threat to exploit Brandon Pfaadt's pitching vulnerabilities. The Mariners maintain a top-half standing in OPS and run production despite an inconsistent offense which should exploit Pfaadt's recent pattern of giving up substantial earned runs.

The bullpens might become key players in the game's outcome especially after the previous night resulted in extra innings. The Diamondbacks bullpen posts a 4.57 ERA which outpaces Seattle's 3.74 mark while closer Justin Martinez left Monday's game due to elbow tightness. The already struggling Arizona bullpen faces increased pressure due to their higher number of blown saves this season. Seattle's relief pitching staff looks better prepared thanks to key pitchers including Andrés Muñoz who remain well-rested. 

This contest looks to another high scoring affair. I'm taking the over here tonight.

Jim's Play: 979. Mariners/D’backs OVER 

The Atlanta Braves face the Milwaukee Brewers for their second series game at American Family Field on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025. The Brewers have established a solid 35-32 campaign while the Braves continue to struggle through their season at a 28-37 record. The starting pitchers for this game both lack extensive track records for major success. Right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes will take the mound for the Braves with a 3-4 win-loss record and a 3.99 ERA. Right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester starts for the Brewers and brings a 3-2 record together with a 3.88 ERA. Both pitchers have demonstrated moments of success but remain vulnerable since Holmes allowed 11 home runs across 13 games while Priester showcased below-average strikeout capabilities.

Through the MLB season the Braves displayed offensive inconsistency as they placed 15th in OPS and 20th in runs scored. The Brewers face more significant challenges producing runs since they hold the 25th position in OPS and the 23rd spot in runs scored. Christian Yelich stands out as Milwaukee's key player recently hitting .356 with four homers across his latest 12 games which makes him a challenging opponent for Holmes who struggles against right-handed batters. Atlanta managed to win their opening game but their dismal 11-23 road record stands out as one of the worst in the National League which might affect this matchup.

Milwaukee's bullpen ranks 16th in MLB which gives them an advantage over Atlanta whose relief corps stands at 21st. Throughout this season both teams have experienced numerous games going under the total score which indicates their matches usually feature lower scoring results. 

I just can't back a bad Braves team on the road with a sub-par pitching staff and hitting. While the Brewers aren't lighting it up either, they have a strong home advantage and pitching advantage too. 

Jim's Play: Take: 958. Brewers

On June 10th, 2025, the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream will meet again for the WNBA Commissioner's Cup as they prepare for their third matchup of the season which fans eagerly await. The current series record stands at 1-1 after both matches displayed intense competition that highlights the equal level of play between these teams. The Fever won 81-76 against the Dream on May 23rd after the Dream achieved a narrow 91-90 victory over the Fever on May 21st which demonstrates their intense rivalry.

The Indiana Fever aims to continue their positive progression after breaking a losing streak with a strong victory against the Chicago Sky while Caitlin Clark was out injured though she might play in this matchup. DeWanna Bonner's offensive and defensive contributions demonstrate the Fever's roster depth and resilience. The team has maintained a strong offensive efficiency that places them at fourth position in the WNBA while their overall net rating stands impressively at +10.8. The Fever transformed their roster during the offseason by bringing in experienced leaders and defensive players to position themselves for a strong playoff run in 2025.

The Atlanta Dream began their 2025 season strongly with a 5-3 record. Dream head coach Karl Smesko implemented modern offensive strategies that prioritize shooting and spacing to create better playing opportunities for standout players Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. The team fortified their frontcourt with Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones during the offseason which gave their struggling 2024 offense a significant boost. The Dream began their season with promise but their defense has proven slightly weaker than the Fever's by allowing 81.0 points per game while the Fever allows just 76.4 points per game. Both teams will compete intensely to improve their standing in the Commissioner's Cup while strengthening their positions within the WNBA hierarchy.

I look for a defensive battle here today. I'm taking the UNDER. 

Jim's Play: 621. Fever/Dream UNDER 160.5 

The Tampa Bay Rays face the Boston Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park to keep their AL East rivalry alive after winning the previous game against the Red Sox with a 10-8 extra-inning victory. The two teams will battle for supremacy in the competitive AL East division during their upcoming divisional match-up. The Rays who are in second place with a 36-30 record demonstrate their momentum by capturing six victories from their last seven matches. Since 2023 they have demonstrated significant resilience by achieving the most impressive MLB record for teams that were behind during the 9th inning. 

The Boston Red Sox currently stand at 32-35 and need to improve their consistency especially at home where their 15-18 record shows room for improvement while their divisional record of 12-20 reflects struggles there as well.

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot will make his start for the Rays with a 3-5 win-loss record and a solid 3.20 ERA. Pepiot's ERA signals strong pitching but his 4.24 xERA and home run susceptibility as a fly-ball pitcher suggest he may experience regression soon. Lucas Giolito represents the Red Sox and faces challenges this season with only one win against one loss and an ERA of 6.42. Advanced metrics reveal concerning trends for Lucas Giolito who holds a 5.80 xERA and a subpar Stuff+ rating and consistently suffers from blow-up starts including a recent game where he gave up eight runs. The Rays maintain a clear advantage in the pitching matchup because of Lucas Giolito's poor performance this season.

Offensively, both teams have shown recent flashes. The Rays offense has demonstrated exceptional performance with a 121 wRC+ over the recent two-week span while the Red Sox show competitive results with a 112 wRC+. Boston has experienced difficulties with runners in scoring position as they've managed only a .174 batting average during their previous ten games. The starting pitchers have uncertainties while the bullpens are likely to be strained after Monday's long game which suggests another high-scoring match will happen in Fenway Park’s conducive environment for hitters. I give all the edges to the Rays in this contest. 

Jim's AL East Game of the Week: 965. Rays 

Tonight the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies play their second game of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park following Monday's extra-innings match where Philadelphia won 4-3 in walk-off fashion. The Cubs who hold a favorable 40-26 record will strive to continue their strong season while the Phillies who stand at 38-28 intend to keep their momentum going after breaking through a five-game losing streak.

As the Cubs take the field they will send veteran right-hander Colin Rea to pitch who currently holds a 4-2 win-loss record alongside a 3.59 ERA after 13 appearances this season. He has maintained a strong 43:17 K:BB ratio while holding opponents to three runs or less in eight out of ten starts and his road ERA stands out at 3.20. The Phillies have promising newcomer right-hander Mick Abel ready to take the mound against the Cubs with a 1-0 win-loss record and a stellar 0.79 ERA from his two appearances. Abel has demonstrated exceptional talent but must now face a formidable Cubs lineup that will be a true challenge.

Kyle Tucker leads the Cubs' offensive charge with a .279 batting average and 13 home runs and 41 RBIs while Pete Crow-Armstrong supports with a .276 average along with 17 homers and 55 RBIs. Seiya Suzuki stands out as a major force with his 16 homers and 55 RBI tally. Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have shown strong performance during the last ten games for the Phillies despite their recent offensive struggles with Turner scoring two home runs and five RBIs and Castellanos maintaining a batting average of .286 along with three doubles and two homers. The Phillies' offense plans to use their momentum from Monday night's exciting win to their advantage.

Jim's Play: 954. Phillies 

The Cincinnati Reds will face the Cleveland Guardians in an Ohio Cup matchup at Progressive Field on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. With nearly identical records both teams approach this matchup which promises to be a closely fought battle. The Cincinnati Reds hold a 34-33 record while the Cleveland Guardians possess a 34-31 record demonstrating close competitive balance between the two teams.

The starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds will be left-hander Andrew Abbott who stands out this season thanks to his 5-1 record and 2.18 ERA across ten starts. Abbott showed strong pitching performance with a 0.55 ERA across his last six starts before his poor performance against the Milwaukee Brewers where he allowed five earned runs. In his upcoming match against Cleveland, he intends to bounce back from past performances which show a 2-1 win-loss record and a 3.65 ERA from three games against them.

The Cleveland Guardians will put right-handed Slade Cecconi on the mound who carries a 1-2 record with a 4.87 ERA from his five starts this season. Cecconi has shown promise during a few games but fails to maintain lengthy appearances which might increase the workload on the Guardians' bullpen. Cleveland has displayed inconsistent offensive performance which places them 24th in runs scored at 3.9 per game with a team batting average of .234. Jose Ramirez stands out as Cleveland's top performer while leading the team in batting average (.333), home runs (12), and RBIs (31).

The Cincinnati offense stands out with a .717 team OPS which puts them at 12th in MLB and they average 4.56 runs every game. They demonstrate proficiency in drawing walks by standing seventh in league rankings. The Reds owe much of their offensive success to Elly De La Cruz who stands at the team forefront with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. The Guardians bullpen showcases a 3.75 ERA putting them in 15th place in MLB while the Reds bullpen has a 3.85 ERA ranking 16th. Because Abbott shows strong pitching capabilities and the Reds have a slightly better offensive output this game may end with few runs scored but Cincinnati is the side I will be on in this Rivaly matchup.

Jim's Play: Take: 975. Reds

Take: 951. Marlins/Pirates OVER 8.5 

The Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates face off on Tuesday at PNC Park where their inconsistent starting pitchers will encounter contrasting team momentum. Mitch Keller pitches for the Pirates with a 1–8 record and a 4.13 ERA spanning 76 innings. Keller has recorded at least five innings across 11 consecutive starts together with nine quality starts and sustaining a 7.2 K/9 rate while opponents hit at .257 average. Miami will start Sandy Alcantara who has a 2–7 record and a high 7.89 ERA for this season. During his most recent start Alcantara performed well but it was against a weak Rockies team which suggests his performance might not hold up against the stronger Pirates offense. 

Pittsburgh enters riding momentum. Pittsburgh built a home winning streak of four games after defeating Miami 10–3 in the first match which contributed to their five wins in six games. Their home games have been marked by strong pitching stats with a 3.84 season ERA ranking them 15th in the majors together with an impressive 2.67 ERA across their six most recent matches

Miami has endured a severe performance downturn during away games while posting one of the lowest offensive rankings in the league with their .248 batting average and 26th place slugging percentage. 

Tuesday evening is expected to provide ideal conditions with clear skies and mid-70s temperatures while light left-center breezes will provide a slight advantage to power hitters.

This one looks to be high scoring with these startes on the hill and poor bullpens. I'll take the OVER here on Tuesday.

Jim's Play: Take: 951. Marlins/Pirates OVER 

Huge series starts tonight in the NL West as the division leading Dodgers have a slim 1-game lead over 2nd place San Diego. 

The Padres have selected Nick Pivetta to start tonight. Pivetta has maintained consistent performances at Petco Park throughout the season with a 6–2 win-loss record and a 3.16 earned run average. Throughout 76 innings he's maintaining a WHIP of 1.02 demonstrating his strong command abilities and efficiency. Pivetta demonstrates elite home performance with a 2.64 ERA when pitching in San Diego which makes him dependable during important divisional games.

Dustin May starts for LA with 3-4 record and a slightly high 4.09 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. May posted 61.2 innings that featured a recent game with two runs over six innings but his road ERA stands at 4.76 which is higher than his home performance .

When it comes to relief performance and present team strength San Diego holds the advantage over the bullpen depth. San Diego’s relief pitchers achieved a 3.21 ERA while successfully recording saves in 13 out of 15 opportunities during the past 15 games. The Dodgers experienced five road losses in their last seven games and their bullpen ranks among the bottom third of MLB teams for recent ERA performance. They have been hit hard by injuries to thier pitching staff with well over 10 arms on the IL right now. 

Petco trends indicate Padres have won 20 and lost 10 at home while maintaining an unbeaten streak in five consecutive divisional matches. The combination of Pivetta’s pitching control with strong bullpen assistance and Padres home field advantage makes the full-game play heavily favor a San Diego victory tonight.

Jim's Play: 908. Padres +1.04 

With Oklahoma City Thunder favored by 11 points for Sunday's Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 8, the Indiana Pacers face the matchup as considerable underdogs. Indiana's recent performance suggests the Pacers plus the points present a valuable betting opportunity.

The Pacers demonstrated their perseverance by recovering from a 15-point fourth-quarter shortfall to win Game 1 with a score of 111–110 which became their fifth postseason victory after trailing by at least 15 points setting a record in the play-by-play NBA era. Indiana demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure when Tyrese Haliburton made a crucial jumper with only 0.3 seconds remaining to win game one.

The Thunder's strong defense and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 38-point performance couldn't stop the Pacers from succeeding through their balanced offense and team depth. The Pacers lead all playoff teams with 28.1 assists per game and shooting percentages of 49.7% overall and 40.1% from three-point range. The Pacers pose a formidable challenge because they effectively spread scoring duties between their starting lineup and bench players such as Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin.

The Thunder have established a strong home-court advantage over time yet the Pacers have shown they can handle pressure situations and surpass expectations. Indiana's current performance paired with the significant point spread suggests they can cover in Game 2 is a sound betting decision.

Jim's Play: Pacers +11

6/08 05:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET 

NBA   (503) INDIANA PACERS  VS  (504) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

503. Pacers/Thunder OVER 227.5 (5 PT / 8 ET) 

Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder is set for Sunday, June 8, at 5:00 PM PDT at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 11-point favorites, with the over/under set at 227.5 points. 

In Game 1, the Pacers pulled off a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 111–110. Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left capped the rally, marking Indiana's fifth postseason win after trailing by 15 or more points—an NBA record in the play-by-play era.  

Despite the Thunder's strong defense and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 38-point effort in Game 1, the Pacers' balanced offense and depth have been effective. Indiana leads the playoffs in assists (28.1), field goal percentage (49.7%), and three-point shooting (40.1%). Their ability to distribute scoring responsibilities among starters and bench players like Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin makes them a challenging opponent. 

Given both teams' offensive capabilities and the high-scoring nature of Game 1, betting on the over in Game 2 is my total play in this game.

Jim's Play: OVER the Total

The Braves enter Sunday’s game on June 8 with several important things to demonstrate. The team has gone through a difficult period with six consecutive losses following their 3-2 defeat to San Francisco on Friday when Matt Chapman won the game with a walk off homer. The team is struggling to regain momentum and confidence after a tough losing streak while their lineup continues to perform below the National League's top tier. 

Spencer Strider steps onto the mound for Atlanta but hasn't shown the dominance he displayed in 2023. Strider stands winless after four starts while his 5.68 ERA highlights his battle to control hard contact and his lack of swing and miss performance in recent games. He has achieved a favorable 2-1 record against San Francisco with a tight 3.57 ERA and Oracle Park's expansive outfield may benefit his performance.

The Giants respond by sending Landen Roupp to the mound who has performed well throughout this season. Through his recent starts he’s posted a 3-4 win-loss record along with a 3.18 ERA and managed to shut out three opponents within his past four games. He maintains his position as a control pitcher by using a combination of sinker and curve to allow only one earned run throughout his last 22 innings in May. 

Offensively, both teams have had trouble producing. The Braves' batting average stands at .245 with a slugging percentage of .388 while San Francisco hitters have managed only .231/.302/.286 over their last two weeks. Both teams’ lineups struggle to perform against right-handed pitchers in this matchup.

The opening pitch for Sunday's game will take place at 4:05 p.m. ET (1:05 p.m. PT). Pitching will dominate when you expect a game with low scoring. Atlanta's success depends on Strider’s ability to shut down the underperforming Giants offense. San Francisco needs Roupp to provide length followed by their bullpen's ability to finish the game. I'm a bit surprised that the oddsmaker has made the Braves a favorite considering their losing streak and lack of confidence. I'll take the home club here in the Giants. 

Jim's Play: 962. Giants 

The Great American Ball Park will host a thrilling final match-up between Arizona and Cincinnati this Sunday afternoon. The Diamondbacks who currently have a 31–31 record will depend on righty Zac Gallen who has demonstrated solid road performance with a 3.45 ERA across five away starts and 34 strikeouts in 31-innings. Gallen needs to maintain his road performance to effectively face the Reds' lineup and its top speed threat Elly De La Cruz.

The Reds respond by deploying right-handed pitcher Brady Singer who achieved a 4.67 ERA and 1.34 WHIP throughout the season while recording a 3-2 record and a 3.62 ERA across six home starts . Despite his recent control issues with multiple walks per outing Singer has limited Arizona hitters to a .194 batting average and .219 wOBA across 62 previous at-bats.

Arizona maintains a powerful offense that achieves both a .255 batting average and a .448 slugging percentage and it ranks fourth in the MLB with an average of 5.1 runs scored per game. Corbin Carroll shines but Ketel Marte's performance stands apart after he moved past Steve Finley on the franchise RBI list while delivering powerful hits. De La Cruz's power-speed mix propelled the Reds to an outstanding rebound game on Saturday when seven out of nine starting players recorded hits while Gavin Lux hit a grand slam during their 13–1 victory.

The game should be competitive with pitching matchups playing a crucial role and small advantages becoming significant. The game could remain close if Gallen maintains his performance on the road and Singer controls the strike zone. 

I'm taking the Reds at home as a nice dog here on Sunday. Singer is a quality starter and if he can control the walks he will have the team in this game at the end. 

Jim's Play: 956. Reds

Heading into the final game, the Rays come off a three-game split series while gaining momentum from their recent dramatic 11–10 extra-inning win on Saturday. Right-hander Drew Rasmussen will pitch with his impressive 5-4 record and 2.14 ERA while leading a team rotation that maintains an overall average of 3.43 ERA . Rasmussen's performance demonstrates stability and precision which are essential factors for successfully covering a run line.

On the opposing team stands Miami’s Sandy Alcantara who once won the Cy Young Award but now faces difficulties with a 7.89 ERA over 12 starts this season. Alcantara shows inconsistent command and maintains a high ERA which makes him a dangerous choice when pitching.

Throughout the season Tampa Bay Rays have managed to generate approximately 4.1 runs during each game and launched 64 home runs. The Rays have demonstrated both powerful hitting and disciplined patience which becomes particularly threatening during home games. The Marlins have shown moments of potential with their hitting performance although inconsistent play remains worrisome.

Tampa Bay has a significant advantage because of Rasmussen's command and Miami's inconsistent pitching. The Marlins tend to score runs sporadically yet their chances of covering the spread remain slim without consistent pitching. 

Jim's Play: 976. Rays -1.5 runs 

The Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles open their three-game series on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. The game begins with first pitch at 7:05 PM PDT.

Currently standing at 25–36 in their season record the Orioles are on a six-game winning streak which involved sweeping the Seattle Mariners. The Orioles will start right-handed pitcher Dean Kremer against the Athletics. Kremer has a 5–5 win-loss record and posted a 4.70 ERA across 12 starts this season. During his latest appearance he managed six innings with one run scored while striking out seven against the Chicago White Sox. Batters against him have achieved a .278 average while he has given up 10 home runs this season.

The Athletics secured a decisive 14–3 victory over the Minnesota Twins which ended their four-game losing streak while improving their record to 24–40. Oakland will start a game with left-handed pitcher JP Sears on the mound. Sears holds a 4–5 record with a 5.05 earned run average across his 12 games started. During his latest game he pitched five innings while allowing two earned runs against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cedric Mullins leads the Orioles' offensive efforts with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs while maintaining a .232 batting average. Tyler Soderstrom leads the Athletics' offense with his production of 14 home runs and 42 RBIs while batting at .257.

The Baltimore bullpen has demonstrated recent progress by achieving a 3.00 ERA during their past 10 games whereas Oakland's bullpen has experienced challenges with a 7.53 ERA over the same time frame.

Niether starter is all that good and the A's pen has been horrible. I'm taking the OVER in this game. 

Jim's Play: 973. Orioles/A’s OVER 11 

Angel Stadium will host a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels starting on Friday, June 6, 2025. The game will begin at 6:38 PM PDT.

Right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller will start for the Mariners who stand at 32 wins and 29 losses. Miller secured two wins and four losses while accumulating a 5.36 ERA across 43.2 innings pitched. Through this season, he has given up 26 earned runs and walked 22 batters while striking out 37 opposing players. On April 29, 2025, Miller pitched five innings against the Angels while keeping opponents scoreless and striking out six.

The Angels will respond by starting veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Across 59 innings Hendricks has a 2–6 record with a 5.34 ERA. The pitcher has surrendered 35 earned runs while issuing 18 walks and tallying 39 strikeouts. During Hendricks' recent start against the Mariners he gave up only one earned run in six innings and achieved seven strikeouts.

Cal Raleigh serves as the Mariners' offensive leader with a .268 batting average along with 24 home runs and 49 RBIs. Shortstop J.P. Crawford maintains a .283 batting average and accumulates five home runs with 22 RBI totals. Taylor Ward leads Angels' offense with 17 home runs and 42 RBIs while maintaining a batting average of .214. First baseman Nolan Schanuel delivers a .275 batting average along with 23 runs batted in.

The Mariners have secured more than 57% victories during their away games. The Angels have experienced difficulties in home games with a loss rate of 60%. I expect both teams to get tehir share of runs tonight. I'm taking the over in this one. 

Jim's Play: 971. Mariners/Angels OVER 9 

On Friday, June 6th 2025 the Milwaukee Brewers' American Family Field hosts the opening of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres. The game begins at 5:10 PM PDT.

With a record of 35-26 this season, the Padres will send right-handed pitcher Randy Vasquez to take the mound. Vasquez has a 3-4 record with a 3.99 ERA after pitching 58.2 innings this season. Vasquez has faced control issues by giving away 30 walks and recording 35 strikeouts while also surrendering seven home runs during his five most recent starts. During his latest game against the Pirates he allowed four runs throughout 3.1 innings.

The Brewers will counter with right-hander Chad Patrick. Patrick maintains consistent performance for Milwaukee's rotation with a 3-4 record, 2.97 ERA, and 1.21 WHIP through 63.2 innings. Throughout his 12 starts this season Patrick has maintained control by allowing three earned runs or less in each game including a recent six-inning performance against the Phillies where he gave up just two runs.

Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio are the primary offensive leaders for the Brewers. After earning National League Player of the Week honors, Yelich maintains a .237 batting average while producing 13 home runs and 41 RBIs. Chourio has a batting average of .260 with 10 home runs and 37 runs batted in. Manny Machado leads the Padres with a .317 batting average and Fernando Tatis Jr. tops the team with his 13 home runs.

I will take the home team here on Friday as the Brewers have been more consistent and I like their starter more in this matchup. 

Jim's Play:  956. Brewers -1.48 

Tonight, the Golden State Valkyries will face the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena in a Commissioner's Cup matchup. The Valkyries, currently 2-4, are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Their offense has struggled, ranking last in the league with an average of 74.0 points per game and shooting percentages of 36.8% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc. However, they have been solid on the boards, averaging 36.0 rebounds per game, tied for fourth in the league. Key contributors include Kayla Thornton, who averages 12.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and Veronica Burton, who adds 12.0 points and 4.2 assists per game.  

The Phoenix Mercury, with a 5-3 record, are also coming off a loss but have been strong defensively, allowing just 76.9 points per game, third-best in the league. Their offense averages 77.9 points per game, with Satou Sabally leading the team at 20.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. The Mercury are dealing with injuries to key players, including Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, which may impact their performance.  

This game marks the first regular-season meeting between the two teams, following a preseason matchup won by the Valkyries. Both teams are looking to gain momentum in the Commissioner's Cup standings, with the Mercury currently at 1-0 and the Valkyries at 0-1 in Cup play.

Jim's Play: 603. GS Valkyries +6.5

Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals tips off Thursday night in Oklahoma City, where the top-seeded Thunder host the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder are heavy favorites, but the Pacers have been defying expectations all postseason. For bettors, this game presents an intriguing opportunity: backing the underdog Pacers or laying big points with the host Thunder. 

The Thunder boast the league's best record at 68–14 and have dominated the playoffs with a 12–4 run. Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 32.7 points per game during the regular season, Oklahoma City has been nearly unbeatable at home, going 8–1 in the playoffs with an average margin of victory of 21.3 points.  

However, the Pacers have been on a remarkable journey. After a 10–15 start to the season, they turned things around, finishing with a 50–32 record. Indiana's offense, orchestrated by Tyrese Haliburton and bolstered by Pascal Siakam, has been potent, leading the league in assist percentage and true shooting percentage. Their depth and resilience have been evident throughout the playoffs, culminating in a 125–108 victory over the Knicks to clinch their first Finals appearance since 2000.  

Betting odds heavily favor the Thunder, with Oklahoma City at -750 to win the series and Indiana at +525. Despite this, the Pacers' high-powered offense and recent form suggest they could cover the spread and keep the game competitive. 

In summary, while the Thunder are the favorites, the Pacers' momentum and offensive prowess make them a compelling underdog pick. 

Jim's Play: 501. Pacers +9.5

6/05 05:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET  

NBA   (501) INDIANA PACERS  VS  (502) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Take: 501. Pacers/Thunder OVER 230.5

Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals tips off Thursday night in Oklahoma City, where the top-seeded Thunder host the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder are heavy favorites, but the Pacers have been defying expectations all postseason. For bettors, this game presents an intriguing opportunity: Backing a big dog or favorite play or playing the over/under on the total points. 

The Thunder boast the league's best record at 68–14 and have dominated the playoffs with a 12–4 run. Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 32.7 points per game during the regular season, Oklahoma City has been nearly unbeatable at home, going 8–1 in the playoffs with an average margin of victory of 21.3 points.  

However, the Pacers have been on a remarkable journey. After a 10–15 start to the season, they turned things around, finishing with a 50–32 record. Indiana's offense, orchestrated by Tyrese Haliburton and bolstered by Pascal Siakam, has been potent, leading the league in assist percentage and true shooting percentage. Their depth and resilience have been evident throughout the playoffs, culminating in a 125–108 victory over the Knicks to clinch their first Finals appearance since 2000.  

The over/under is set at around 230.5 points. Given both teams' offensive capabilities and recent trends, playing the over seems like a solid bet. The Pacers have consistently hit the over in their playoff games, and the Thunder's home games have been high-scoring affairs. 

In summary, I belieive the likelihood of a high-scoring game will be what we see here in games one. I'm taking the OVER the total in this one. 

Jim's Play: 501. Pacers/Thunder OVER 230.5

Oracle Park hosts the conclusion of the four-game series between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants today when first pitch is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. PT. With a 35–25 record the Padres strive to win the series while the Giants at 34–28 attempt to tie the series following their dramatic 6–5 comeback victory last night.

The San Diego Padres start their game with right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease who currently stands at a 1–4 record with a 4.66 ERA. Cease has shown impressive strikeout capability by securing 78 strikeouts during his 63.2 innings of work. Cease's 1.29 WHIP and 5.68 ERA during road games demonstrate his difficulty in controlling baserunners and runs.

Giants' ace Robbie Ray (7–1, 2.43 ERA) has maintained a dominant presence throughout this season while posting a 1.89 ERA during home games. San Francisco relies heavily on Ray's consistent performance and run suppression which proves essential since they face offensive challenges.

The Padres' offense received productive performances from Gavin Sheets who drove in four runs during last night's game and Fernando Tatis Jr. who keeps up his .273 batting average alongside his 13 home runs. The Giants ended their 16-game stretch of scoring only four runs or less thanks to Heliot Ramos and Matt Chapman who hit his 11th homer this season.

The relief pitchers for the Giants stand out in this series due to Randy Rodríguez's first career save and their league-leading 2.38 ERA.

Jim's NL West Game of the Week: 904. Giants -1.20  

Tonight at 8 p.m. ET the Florida Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place in Edmonton. This year's Stanley Cup Final features a rematch between Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers after the Panthers won their first Stanley Cup last year following a seven-game series where they stopped Edmonton's comeback attempt. This season Edmonton Oilers get home advantage while seeking revenge.

The Panthers are chasing history. Having eliminated Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Carolina they return to the Final for three consecutive years with the goal of becoming the first team since the Lightning (2020–21) to secure consecutive cups. Florida's disciplined physical style is led by Selke Trophy winner captain Aleksander Barkov along with playoff stars Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky demonstrated sharp performance with a 2.11 GAA and .912 save percentage throughout the postseason .

Edmonton, meanwhile, is fueled by redemption. Connor McDavid tops all playoff scorers with 26 points while Leon Draisaitl continues to pose a regular threat. The Edmonton Oilers achieved victory in 12 of their past 14 games including a commanding 4-1 series win against Dallas during the Western Conference Final. Goalie Stuart Skinner rebounded from initial difficulties by recording six wins and a .944 save percentage across seven consecutive starts.

Injuries could play a role. Zach Hyman continues to sit out due to an upper-body injury but Connor Brown will return after missing the closing games against Dallas. Florida has a healthy lineup and a confident mindset while Barkov declares "We accept the challenge" before the upcoming matchup.

Expect a fast-paced, high-intensity opener. A period of cautious exploration is unlikely since both teams have significant familiarity with each other. Edmonton's home-ice edge paired with their strong offense makes them a formidable opponent. I'm taking the Oilers to get the initial victory in this Cup.

Jim's Play 12. Oilers -1.30 (Game 1)

The Toronto Blue Jays will host the Philadelphia Phillies at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The Phillies ended their four-game losing streak with an 8–3 series opening win. Coming back from injury Bryce Harper delivered a home run on his first at-bat while helping the team score six runs during the first inning. Trea Turner delivered an impressive performance by hitting three singles and two home runs which resulted in three RBIs.

Rookie right-hander Mick Abel will start for the Phillies in his second big league appearance on the mound. Abel demonstrated his potential as a valuable rotation member during his debut on May 18 by delivering six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts while avoiding any walks. Veteran right-hander Jose Berríos is scheduled to pitch for the Blue Jays and he currently has a 2–2 record with a 3.86 ERA this season. Berríos delivered an impressive performance against the Athletics by pitching six scoreless innings and recording nine strikeouts.

The Phillies' hitters intend to keep their current winning streak alive while the Blue Jays plan to recover their standing and level the series. I like the Jays here in this nightcap. 

Jim's Play: 978. Blue Jays 

The Boston Red Sox host the Los Angeles Angels for their final series game at Fenway Park today as first pitch takes place at 1:35 p.m. ET. The Angels secured their first two games with a thrilling 4–3 extra-innings victory last night as they attempt to finalize their series sweep. The Red Sox will focus on preventing their sixth consecutive defeat while ending their recent run of narrow losses.

The game will feature right-handed pitchers Jose Soriano for the Angels and Lucas Giolito toeing the rubber for the Red Sox. Soriano has posted a 4–5 record and a 3.41 ERA so far this season while Giolito has a 1–1 record with a 4.78 ERA. Both teams are dealing with injuries: The Angels moved third baseman Yoan Moncada and reliever Robert Stephenson to the injured list while the Red Sox bullpen faces strain after their starters provided short outings recently.

In last night's victory the Angels' offensive success stemmed from Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel who delivered crucial hits. The Boston lineup has shown significant difficulties in high-pressure moments which is apparent from their 6–17 record in one-run games throughout this season. To avoid the sweep and regain momentum the Red Sox require both a powerful game from Giolito and well-timed hitting.

I'll take the Sox to avoid the sweep at home. 

Jim's Play: 964. Red Sox 

The Minnesota Twins will take on the Oakland Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento with the first pitch scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET. The Twins maintain a 32–27 record and plan to continue their winning streak after the Athletics were defeated 10–4 thanks to Byron Buxton's five RBIs.

Minnesota will send Pablo Lopez to the mound who has a 4–3 record with a 2.75 earned run average. During six away starts, Lopez achieved a 2.38 ERA which demonstrates his road game effectiveness. Jacob Lopez from Oakland faces challenges this season with three losses and a 6.32 ERA.

The Twins have an advantage to win because they face a struggling Athletics team that has lost 18 of their last 19 games and due to the pitching matchup. I have no problem laying the Run Line here today with the Twins.  Minnesota's powerful offense combined with Pablo Lopez's reliable performance puts them in prime position to achieve another strong win tonight.

Jim's Play: Take: 923. Twins -1.5 Runs

Tonight at 8:00 p.m. the Phoenix Mercury will battle the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis. ET. The Commissioner's Cup matchup brings together the undefeated Lynx (7-0) who host the Mercury (5-2) after their recent 74-71 defeat to Minnesota.

Minnesota keeps advancing their strong season performance through MVP candidate Napheesa Collier who produces an average of 26.8 points per game while making significant contributions on both offense and defense. Early in the season the Lynx have proven themselves formidable because they possess both strong offensive and defensive capabilities.

Phoenix enters a transitional season with Diana Taurasi retired and Brittney Griner having departed. The Mercury brought in crucial team members Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas as part of their roster restructure. Satou Sabally stands out as Phoenix's top scorer by averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Thomas Natasha Mack and Kahleah Copper will miss tonight's game because of injuries.

Both teams should get plenty of points in this one tonight. I'll be on the OVER. 

Jim's Play: 629. Phx Mercury / Min Lynx OVER 

The Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates begin their three-game series tonight at PNC Park starting at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Astros hold a 32–27 record which places them second in the AL West whereas the Pirates trail are 22–38 and that puts them last in the NL Central.

The Astros begin their pitching rotation with Lance McCullers Jr. After coming back from a two-year injury layoff starting May 4 McCullers exhibited glimpses of his previous abilities with his most recent start against Oakland featuring 12 strikeouts. McCullers continues to develop consistency as he averages over three innings per start while maintaining a 5.89 ERA. The Astros need McCullers to pitch into later innings because injuries have limited their rotation options.

The Pirates respond by deploying Paul Skenes who maintains a 2.15 ERA along with 77 strikeouts across 75.1 innings. Skenes stands out as Pittsburgh's best pitcher and NL Cy Young candidate with five straight quality starts while maintaining a .187 opponent batting average.

The absence of Yordan Alvarez reduces the offensive power of the Astros' lineup. Andrew McCutchen has stepped up for the struggling Pirates' offense by hitting home runs in back-to-back games.

The Pirates may be having an off season, but Skenes is not and I'll back him here on Tuesday. 

Jim's Play: 926. Pirates -1.50

On June 1st, 2025 at the Chase Center in San Francisco the Minnesota Lynx will compete against the Golden State Valkyries. Both teams launch their 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup season with this game.

The Minnesota Lynx begin the game with a flawless 6-0 record demonstrating strong defensive capabilities alongside a well-rounded offensive approach. The team averages 84.2 points per game while permitting 76.3 points per game from opponents. Napheesa Collier's current status is questionable because of a knee issue and Kayla McBride's recent 20-point performance in a win against Phoenix Mercury have both been vital to their team's achievements.

The Valkyries who are playing their first season currently stand at a 2-3 record. Their recent performance demonstrated potential when they lost to the New York Liberty by just 82-77. Janelle Salaun who is playing her rookie season stands out with averages of 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. The team faces offensive challenges with a 73.8 points per game average and a three-point shooting percentage of 27.7%.

The Lynx have a great defense and the Valkaryies have struggled on offense. That will have me taking this game under the total. 

Jim's Play: 625. Lynx/Valkaryies UNDER 161.5

Saturday, May 31, 2025 will feature a crucial Game 6 between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis during the Eastern Conference Finals. The Indiana Pacers hold a 3-2 series lead while pursuing their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 but must face the New York Knicks who need a Game 6 today and Game 7 victory at Madison Square Garden to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. 

The Knicks secured a decisive 111-94 win during Game 5 with Jalen Brunson scoring 32 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds to their performance. Their performance played a key role in preventing elimination and restored momentum for New York. Throughout the series Brunson consistently displayed offensive dominance by averaging 33.0 points per game.

The Pacers showed weakness in Game 5 when they turned the ball over 20 times and couldn't stop the Knicks' strong attack. Despite his Game 4 triple-double performance Tyrese Haliburton recorded only eight points and six assists during Game 5. Despite the Game 5 setback, Haliburton remains confident about the team's ability to recover because of their demonstrated resilience and preparedness to face pressure situations.

The Pacers displayed exceptional home performance this season with a 29-11 record while scoring an average of 115 points across their two home games in this series. The Pacers aim to use their home-court advantage and fan support to finish the series.

The Knicks will need to keep their defensive intensity while reducing turnovers to prolong the series. The team needs to reduce turnovers through simplified play according to Coach Tom Thibodeau who emphasized that risky passes have been a consistent problem.

The knowledge of what's at stake ensures that Game 6 will be an intense matchup between both teams. The series outcome will depend on Brunson and Haliburton's performances combined with each team's execution of their strategies.

The Pacers are a high scoring team on their home court and that means the Knicks will need to keep up on Saturday. I'm taking the OVER here on Saturday. 

Jim's Play: Take: 555. Knicks/Pacers OVER 219.5

The Chicago Sky face the Dallas Wings once more on Saturday, May 31 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas when the game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Sky earned their season debut victory against the Wings with a narrow 97–92 win in Chicago before facing them again two days later.

Kamilla Cardoso led Chicago to victory in Thursday's game with 23 points and eight rebounds while Courtney Vandersloot provided nine assists. The Sky achieved victory with key contributions from their frontcourt duo Cardoso and Angel Reese who secured nine rebounds. The Sky must continue to uphold their defensive intensity to shut down Dallas's prolific offense.

Dallas's record stands at 1–5 and they face a major setback because rookie guard Paige Bueckers is sidelined in the WNBA's concussion protocol and will not play in the upcoming two games. Bueckers provided essential contributions to the team by averaging 14.7 points and delivering 6.7 assists along with 4.5 rebounds per game. The Wings' offense will now depend heavily on All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale who had an impressive 37-point performance during Thursday's defeat because of Bueckers' absence. The Dallas Wings need Myisha Hines-Allen and DiJonai Carrington to elevate their performances while Bueckers is sidelined.

Huge loss for the Wings with Bueckers missing today's contest. And as such, I don't expect to see much offense from Dallas here. I'm taking this game UNDER.

Jim's Play: 617. Chi Sky / Dal Wings UNDER 173.5

The Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros proceed with their weekend series on Saturday, May 31, 2025, when they play at Minute Maid Park. For their upcoming game Tampa Bay starts with right-hander Zack Littell who holds a 4-5 record and a 3.97 ERA. Throughout most of his appearances this season he’s proven dependable which helped give the Rays the opportunity to win games. Zack Littell relies on his command and weak contact control to perform effectively at Houston’s hitter-friendly stadium by maintaining command of the game.

Rookie lefty Colton Gordon has managed to quietly establish a respectable beginning to his MLB career evidenced by his 3.52 ERA across limited appearances. His ability to maintain composure along with precise control allowed him to navigate through challenging batting orders during his initial appearances. Saturday presents a chance to measure up against a Rays team that excels in extended at-bats and aggressive base running.

Houston secured a narrow 2-1 victory on Friday with Framber Valdez's complete performance and Yainer Diaz's walk-off homer. The outcome demonstrates that both teams' lineups are currently experiencing difficulties. Houston lacks several important players which has led to their inconsistent hitting performance while Tampa Bay struggles to produce runs during their away games.

With the injury difficulties the Astros have had, I look for the Rays to take this contest on Saturday. 

Jim's Play: 971. Rays +1.04

The Chicago White Sox face off against the Baltimore Orioles in their ongoing series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards beginning with first pitch at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 31. ET. Each team works to create momentum after experiencing a difficult season.

Right-hander Davis Martin will take his place on the mound for the White Sox. As part of Chicago's pitching staff Martin has stood out by recording a 2-5 win-loss rate and a 3.45 ERA throughout his 62.2 innings this season. During his past three appearances, he allowed only five earned runs in 20 innings while delivering consistent quality starts. The White Sox have relied on Martin's skill to minimize damage and keep home runs to a minimum because their team has faced offensive difficulties.

Right-hander Dean Kremer from the Orioles takes the mound with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses and a 5.02 ERA through 61 innings pitched. Through an inconsistent season Kremer found success recently against the Red Sox by pitching 5.1 innings without allowing a run to help secure a 5-1 win. The Orioles expect Dean Kremer to replicate his recent strong performance to help stabilize their unpredictable pitching staff.

The White Sox have had offensive difficulties as evidenced by their team batting average of .221 and on-base percentage of .293. The team's highest batting average belongs to Lenyn Sosa at .286 while Miguel Vargas demonstrates power hitting with eight home runs and 26 RBIs. The Orioles have achieved a batting average of .237 along with a .303 on-base percentage. Ryan O'Hearn stands out as the team leader with a batting average of .335, a .423 OBP and a .543 slugging percentage. Cedric Mullins tops his team with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs.

The Orioles defeated the White Sox 2-1 in Friday's series opener because Zach Eflin delivered seven shutout innings and Ramón Urías hit a crucial sixth-inning sacrifice fly. Ryan Mountcastle successfully stole home during a double steal play but exited the game afterward because of a hamstring injury. The White Sox scored in the ninth inning but failed to finish their comeback attempt.

The White Sox have their best pitcher on the mound today and that will give them a shot. The O's are one of the biggest busts in baseball this year and we'll see that continue here on Saturday as the White Sox have a great shot at a huge upset win. 

Jim's Play: 965. White Sox +1.70 

The Cincinnati Reds face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for their weekend series matchup on Saturday, May 31, 2025 with the game starting at 2:20 p.m. ET. The Chicago Cubs choose right-hander Ben Brown to start while the Cincinnati Reds respond with left-hander Nick Lodolo.

Brown has recorded a 3-3 win-loss record while posting a 6.39 ERA across 50.2 innings this season. Brown faced difficulties during his last appearance against the Reds on May 25 by surrendering eight runs on seven hits across 4.1 innings before the Cubs staged a comeback to win 11-8. Brown has struggled against Cincinnati as he holds a 0-2 record with a 10.80 ERA across 13.1 innings pitched against the Reds.

Lodolo has demonstrated reliable performance in the Reds' rotation by achieving a 4-4 win-loss record and maintaining a 3.39 ERA during 63.2 innings pitched this season. During his latest start against the Cubs on May 25 Lodolo permitted three runs while giving up six hits through five innings where he struck out six batters.

Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds' offense with his dynamic performances at the top of their lineup. Elly De La Cruz became the first Major League player to accumulate 115 extra-base hits and 115 stolen bases during his first 300 games.

The Cubs have maintained their home field advantage by securing six consecutive victories and winning eight out of their last nine outings at Wrigley Field. The Cubs suffered a 6-2 defeat from the Reds during their series opener on Friday.

Reds are a nice dog here on Saturday against a very poor Chicago starter. Lots of value taking the dog here on Saturday. 

Jim's Play: 951. Reds +1.35 

The New York Yankees face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium tonight to revive their legendary rivalry. The Dodgers took their 2024 World Series title in five games during their last matchup against the Yankees. The Yankees lead the American League with a 35–20 record while the Dodgers are 34–22 and 1st place in the NL West.

Max Fried leads the Yankees with a 7–0 record and 1.29 ERA against Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin who has a 2–1 record and 4.68 ERA. Max Fried has dominated the season so far whereas Tony Gonsolin looks to establish consistent performance on the mound.

Offensively, both teams are loaded with talent. Aaron Judge leads the American League with a .391 batting average and 18 home runs as Yankees captain. For offense, the Dodgers respond with Shohei Ohtani who leads major league home runs with 20 while Freddie Freeman maintains a solid .359 batting average.

Have to always love this rivalry but for me I'm sticking with a proven winner this year in Fried. 

Jim's Play 929. Yankees -1.13

The undefeated Minnesota Lynx (5-0) will play against the Phoenix Mercury (4-1) tonight at PHX Arena starting at 10:00 p.m. ET on ION.

The Lynx have shown strong performance throughout this season with forward Napheesa Collier leading the charge by averaging 26.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in each game. The Minnesota Lynx offense stands as the second-ranked team in the league with an average score of 86.2 points per game from a 47% shooting percentage which includes 35.4% accuracy from three-point range. The team has a formidable defense that limits opponents to 77.4 points per game. The Lynx won their latest game against the Seattle Storm with a final score of 82-77 while Courtney Williams gathered 23 points and Collier reached a double-double by scoring 16 points and pulling in 10 rebounds.

The Mercury aim to keep their flawless home game streak going. The Mercury leads the league defensively by giving up just 74.6 points per game. Phoenix's offensive production totals 80.4 points each game through Satou Sabally's average of 19.8 points and 7.4 rebounds coupled with Alyssa Thomas who brings in 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. Phoenix Mercury won their latest match against the Chicago Sky by overcoming a 16-point deficit to end with a score of 94-89 thanks to Sabally's 20 points and rookie Kitija Laksa's season-best 18 points.

Tonight's game could be impacted by player injuries. Guard Kahleah Copper and forward Natasha Mack will not play for the Mercury. Forward N.Collier (knee) is questionable for the Lynx and if she misses that will be a big loss for the team. 

The way Phoneix plays at home coupled with their excellent defense should keep them close in this game with a good chance to get the upset win and give the Lynx their first loss. 

Jim's Play: 616. Phx Mercury +4

The Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm face off tonight at Climate Pledge Arena with distinct team capabilities and opposing performance trends.

The Dream enters this contest with momentum from a three-game winning streak that takes their record to 4-2. The Dream scores powerfully with an average of 84.5 points per game making them the fourth highest-scoring team in the league. Allisha Gray plays a crucial role for her team by averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 48.7% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range. Atlanta's interior strength has improved with Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones joining the team which has resulted in strong rebounding performance including third-place defensive rebound percentage at 79.6%.

The Storm have won three games and lost two but remains unbeaten at home this season. The Storm's defensive performance stands as a key strength by permitting only 77 points per game which puts them third in WNBA defensive rankings. The team scores 79 points per game on average with both Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike delivering 19 points per game. Seattle Storm's home defense stands out with a powerful +27 point differential across two games.

Brittney Griner from Atlanta is currently day-to-day with injuries and Jordin Canada remains sidelined. The Seattle Storm will be without Katie Lou Samuelson for the entire season after she tore her ACL.

The matchup between Atlanta's improved offense and Seattle's strong home defense is set to be a closely fought contest. 

I'll take the hosts in this one tonight. 

Jim's Play: 612. Sea Storm -5.5

Tonight's matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun features both franchises seeking to improve their recent poor performances. Indiana goes into the match with two wins and three losses after losing back-to-back games including a tight defeat against the Washington Mystics with a score of 83-77 last Wednesday. The Fever must adapt to playing without Caitlin Clark because her left quadriceps strain has forced her to sit out. Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston have stepped up to fill the void with Mitchell averaging 17.0 points and Boston producing 16.8 points and 10.0 rebounds each game. Coming off the bench in their defeat to Washington, DeWanna Bonner who joined the team from the Sun scored 21 points.

The Sun currently stand winless at 0-5 following their 109-87 loss to the Dallas Wings. Connecticut ranks last in scoring with 71.8 points per game while allowing 88.2 points per game which puts them near the bottom in defense. Tina Charles leads the team with 17 points and 6.6 rebounds each game while Marina Mabrey contributes 14 points and 3.2 assists per match.

With Clark out for the Fever and the poor offense of the Sun, I look for this game to be lower scoring. I'll take the UNDER here tonight. 

Jim's Play: 609. Sun/Fever UNDER 157.5

The Boston Red Sox will take on the Atlanta Braves in the first game of their three-game series tonight at Truist Park when they face off at 7:15 p.m. ET on Apple TV+. Both teams are seeking to reverse recent struggles: After five consecutive losses the Red Sox now stand at 27–31 while the Braves at 26–29 have lost seven of their ten most recent games.

Boston will send Lucas Giolito to the mound with a 1–1 record and a 5.27 ERA while Atlanta counters with Grant Holmes who boasts a 3–3 record and 3.68 ERA. Giolito delivered an impressive performance against Baltimore by pitching seven shutout innings. During his previous start against Atlanta on May 17 he gave up six earned runs across four innings. Holmes has demonstrated recent consistency by permitting just four runs across three starts totaling 19.1 innings.

Injuries have impacted both teams. Alex Bregman the Red Sox third baseman is sidelined due to a major right quadriceps strain while first baseman Triston Casas will miss the entire season due to knee surgery. Rafael Devers might resume playing third base since Alex Bregman is unavailable. Following his recovery from a torn ACL sustained in 2024 Ronald Acuña Jr. made an immediate impact for the Braves by hitting a home run on his first pitch seen after his return.

Both teams looking to get something going, but for me I'm taking the Braves here tonight on the Run Line and taking the plus money. 

Jim's Play: 926. Braves -1.5 +1.30

The second game of today's doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park is shaping up to be a compelling matchup, featuring two of the National League's premier pitchers: Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler. 

Chris Sale, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, has been in excellent form this May, posting a 1.37 ERA over four starts and striking out 32 batters in 26.1 innings. Overall, he's 2-3 with a 3.36 ERA and 78 strikeouts across 61.2 innings this season. Sale's ability to dominate hitters with his sharp slider and pinpoint control makes him a formidable opponent.  

Opposing him is Zack Wheeler, last year's Cy Young runner-up, who enters the game with a 6-1 record and a 2.42 ERA. He's currently on a 22 2/3-inning scoreless streak, showcasing his consistency and effectiveness on the mound. Wheeler's command of his fastball and ability to mix pitches effectively have been key to his success this season.  

Offensively, the Phillies have been on a hot streak, winning 10 of their last 11 games. Kyle Schwarber leads the team with 18 home runs and 40 RBIs, while Trea Turner boasts a .305 batting average. The Braves, meanwhile, have struggled recently, losing five of their last six games. Marcell Ozuna has been a bright spot, hitting .279 with a .425 on-base percentage, and Matt Olson has contributed 12 home runs.  

Should be a great matchup here in the nightcap, but Wheeler has been better and the Phillies a much hotter team. I'll take the Phils in game 2.  

Jim's Play: 952. Phillies Game 2  (Wheeler)

Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves will take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Standing at a 3-1 lead in the series, the Thunder need only one more win to reach the NBA Finals since their last appearance in 2012. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN.

After enduring a 42-point defeat in Game 3 Oklahoma City achieved a close 128-126 win in Game 4 which demonstrated the determination and skill of their youthful team members. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 40 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead his team while Jalen Williams scored 34 points and Chet Holmgren added 21 points along with seven rebounds and three blocks.

To prolong the series Minnesota must receive extraordinary performances from their leading players while facing elimination. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle need to improve after scoring only 16 and five points respectively in Game 4. The Minnesota bench shined during their last match as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo scored a total of 44 points together.

Oklahoma City holds an 8.5-point advantage while the total points projection stands at 220.5. Oklahoma City stands strong with their depth and defensive capabilities while benefiting from home-court advantage yet the Timberwolves have demonstrated their ability to perform well when facing challenges. I'm turning to the total here tonight as I look for this game to get over the posted number. 

Jim's Play: 549. T’Wolves/Thunder OVER 220.5

The Cincinnati Reds face the Kansas City Royals for the final game of their series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, with the first pitch at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Reds won their first two matchups with scores of 7-4 and 7-2 and now seek to complete the series sweep.

Ex-Kansas City pitcher Brady Singer delivered a performance that helped the Reds secure a 7-2 victory against his previous team on Tuesday. Traded to the Cincinnati Reds from Kansas City in November Singer limited his former team to two runs across seven innings while striking out three batters and walking one to achieve his sixth win this season. The Reds' offensive strength came from Elly De La Cruz who hit two solo home runs making this his second multi-home run game this season. Tyler Stephenson hit a home run while TJ Friedl compiled his fifth straight game with multiple hits. Santiago Espinal generated an RBI double while Spencer Steer brought in an RBI through a bases-loaded walk. Over two games in this series the Reds have scored a total of 14 runs.

Hunter Greene (4-2, 2.54 ERA) will take the mound for the Reds in the series finale as their starting pitcher. As a dependable member of the rotation Hunter Greene's performance becomes key to achieving the sweep. The Royals will send left-hander Noah Cameron (1-1, 0.93 ERA) to the mound who demonstrated promise during his few appearances this season.

The Reds' offensive production has been driven by Elly De La Cruz who has hit 11 home runs this season to match Pete Rose's team record for switch-hitters through five multi-homer games. The Royals face difficulties in producing runs and have averaged only 2.7 runs during their past 16 games while enduring a 5-11 losing streak.

I'll be taking the Reds here on Wednesday to sweep the series against Kansas City. 

Jim's Play: 927. Reds -1.17

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., the Indiana Fever will play the Washington Mystics at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore. The change from Capital One Arena to a new venue has been necessitated by ongoing renovations and the expected increase in crowd numbers. The Fever must play without Caitlin Clark who has been sidelined due to a left quadriceps strain that will keep her out for a minimum of two weeks.

Indiana faces major challenges without Caitlin Clark because she tops the league in assists and ranks eighth in scoring. However, this is a talented Indiana team that has lots of depth.  The Fever expects top players Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell to take on bigger roles. Boston has controlled the paint with strong averages of 18.5 points and 10.8 rebounds each game and Kelsey Mitchell needs to step up in scoring and playmaking.

The Mystics are trying to end their run of three consecutive defeats. The team maintained late-game leads during their losses but failed to secure victories in those matches. The rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have stood out with meaningful performances during their first seasons. The team must manage their roster issues as Georgia Amoore sits out from a knee injury and Shakira Austin remains questionable following a concussion.

The two teams aim to build momentum during the early part of the season. Without Clark the Fever must adapt their offensive strategies while increasing their dependence on Boston's inside play and Mitchell's outside shots. The Mystics will use their home-court advantage to take advantage of any changes the Fever need to make. Even without Clark I still believe the Fever have the talent and depth to win and cover here tonight. 

Jim's Play: 601. Fever -2.5

The three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles concludes at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET. The teams stand even at 1-1 in the series after the Orioles won the first game 5-2 and the Cardinals took the second game 7-4.

Nolan Arenado hit a pivotal go-ahead home run during the eighth inning to secure a comeback victory for the Cardinals in Tuesday's game. Earlier in the contest Lars Nootbaar delivered a two-run homer that helped his team. The Cardinals' relief pitchers performed well while the Orioles failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position, managing only 1 hit in 14 opportunities.

The Cardinals' Miles Mikolas takes the mound against Orioles' Cade Povich in Wednesday's pitching matchup. The Cardinals have earned five victories against one loss during Mikolas' six recent starts when he maintained a 1.34 ERA. Left-handed pitcher Cade Povich turned 25 this year and demonstrated recent performance gains with his ERA standing at 2.53 across his last two starts.

Brendan Donovan leads the Cardinals offensively with his .328 batting average and Willson Contreras tops the team with 29 RBIs. Ryan O'Hearn has stood out for the Orioles by maintaining a .340 batting average while achieving a .558 slugging percentage.

Both teams view this game as crucial because they seek to gain momentum. The Cardinals hope to maintain their position in the NL Central while the Orioles focus on reviving their season. I give the edge here to the visitors. I'm taking the Cardinals to take the rubber game and the series. 

Jim's Play 923. Cardinals +1.07

The Eastern Conference Finals will continue with Game 4 between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. 

Indiana Pacers hold a 2-1 advantage in the current seven-game series. The Pacers triumphed in Games 1 and 2 with a 138-135 victory followed by a 114-109 win. The Knicks managed to close the series gap by winning Game 3 with a score of 106-100.

The Knicks showed exceptional determination in Game 3 by turning around a 20-point disadvantage to achieve their inaugural postseason victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Since 1997 no team in the play-by-play era has managed three playoff victories from deficits of 20 points or more like the Knicks did in this game.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 fourth-quarter points to make a key contribution to the comeback. However, a challenge persists: Whenever Jalen Brunson and Towns share time on the court together their defensive performance often results in negative outcomes.

The Pacers under Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam leadership look to recover from their Game 3 second-half breakdown. Indiana relies on Haliburton to lead their offensive efforts after he took personal responsibility for their defeat.

Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith remains undecided for Game 4 participation because of a right ankle injury he suffered during Game 3. Nesmith delivered his best game with a career peak of 30 points in Game 1 but has struggled to maintain that level of scoring in later matches.

The Knicks perform better defensively during road games which have a defensive rating of 110.1 compared to their home games with a rating of 114.6. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart credit their achievements to the increased focus and team unity they build in challenging environments.

I once again look for the Knicks to flex their defensive muscles here on Tuesday. In a slower paced game I like the UNDER in this one. 

Jim's Play: 547. Knicks/Pacers UNDER 

The Seattle Storm will face the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. This early-season matchup features two of the WNBA's top teams: The Minnesota Lynx entered the matchup with a perfect 4–0 record while the Seattle Storm approached the game following three consecutive wins to reach a 3–1 season record.

The Lynx maintain their dominant start to the season with Napheesa Collier leading the way as she scores an average of 29.5 points per game. Minnesota ranks third in league scoring with an average of 87.3 points per game while maintaining solid defensive performance by permitting opponents 77.5 points per game. The success the team has achieved early in the season stems from their evenly distributed offensive approach combined with strong rebounding efforts.

Seattle recently defeated the Las Vegas Aces with a decisive 102–82 win. Nneka Ogwumike put up 23 points and eight rebounds as Skylar Diggins-Smith added 19 points and eight assists. The Storm has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities with their opponents scoring only 76.0 points per game which ranks second in the league.

This matchup may be influenced by injuries to key players. Seattle's Katie Lou Samuelson will miss the game because of a knee injury while Lynx guard Kayla McBride has been upgraded to probable with personal reasons.

Expect a competitive showdown between two leading teams in the league.

Jim's Play: 630. Min Lynx