Sports Handicapper Dana Lane's Picks & Predictions

Goaltending has been very good for the Bruins this season. They have given up two goals or less in eight out of the last10 games. The team ranks fourth in goals against per game, second in shots against per game, and fourth in opponent shooting % and save %. Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have been solid in net this season. Rask has a record of 15-5-2 with a 2.28 GAA and a .913 SV%. He has allowed two goals or less in seven out of the last 10 games. Halak has a record of 9-6-4 with a 2.53 GAA and a .905 SV%. Along with receiving great goaltending, the Bruins have been very strong on defense.

In addition to the defense struggling, the offense has been a letdown with the later lines failing to find the back of the net. While Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, and JT Miller have combined for 50 goals this season, the rest of the unit has struggled with only six skaters scoring 10 goals or more this season for the Canucks. They won't do their part to push this over. 

Seattle still has one of the best players in the world in Breanna Stewart, one of the greatest point guards of all-time in Sue Bird, and an athletic two-way playmaker in Jewell Loyd.

Everyone is on the Aces today but I suspect it will take a few games for their talent to shine. 

When you need a winner the most the choice is clear who to lean on.  This will be the most memorable game on your card because this will be the match-up that will get you out of the red and safely into the black. We still have a long way to go, so when you win, purchase a week, month, or year pass to experience how powerful Dana's selections are.

Arm yourself with the #1 NBA handicapper through the postseason. 

Even though the Timberwolves have been eliminated from playoff contention, they are playing well and won’t be a pushover for the playoff-bound Celtics.

Minnesota is averaging 111.8 points per game. They finished with 103 points in their last game, making 42.6 percent of their field goals and 39 percent of their three-pointers. A similar effort today will get them the cover and win. 

So, why the big turnaround for the Indians? The answer, in short, is pitching. Their pitchers only allow 3.73 runs per nine innings, third-best in the Majors, and they’re only allowing a .213 batting average to opposing hitters, which ranks fifth overall. They’ve also got the eighth-best ERA at 3.34 and their 9.67 strikeouts per nine innings are ranked ninth in the league. While their offense hasn’t been their strength, it still has done its fair share to contribute as their 8.68 strikeouts per nine innings is the sixth-lowest in MLB while their 1.27 home runs per game are eighth overall.

At the plate, Kansas City has been average at best this season. The Royals have a team batting average of .233, which is 16th, a slugging percentage of .376, which is 20th and the Royals have scored the 20th most runs with 149. 

Atlanta has played well offensively, averaging 4.51 runs per game. But, they struggled in their last series and they’re averaging 2.67 runs per game over their last three games.

Their .227 batting average is 20th in the league. Their .310 on base percentage is 16th, while their .414 slugging percentage is sixth in the league.

I can't count on either team to push this game over. 

The New York Yankees will be going with Domingo German as the starter for this game which should make bettors excited due to his performances in 2021. So far this season, he has a 2-2 record along with a 4.02 ERA. In addition, he has a 3.18 ERA on the road as he has looked even better in opposing ballparks.

In his first start coming off of the injured list against the Padres, Cueto gave up five runs on eight hits and took the loss. He was only able to last three innings, striking out two. During his three prior starts, Cueto averaged just under a strikeout per inning, punching out 18 batters in that span.

The 13th year right-hander has put together a nice season for the Giants so far with a 3.52 ERA and respectable 1.13 WHIP over four starts. Opposing hitters are batting .247 with an on-base percentage of only .286. This is due to Cueto’s improved strikeout to walk numbers in 2021. He has struck out 20 batters while allowing only five free passes.

Against right-handers, the Cubs have slashed .209/.296/.355 with 27 home runs and 88 RBI in 26 games. On the road, Chicago has slashed .235/.308/.382 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI. I'm not sure they're going to do their part to push this over the total. 

The rotation will turn over on Saturday for Jose Berrios, who has been a rare bright spot for the Minnesota pitching staff with a 3.49 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. Berrios allowed two runs on six hits and five walks with just one strikeout in six innings against the Detroit Tigers last weekend.