Sports Handicapper Doug Upstone's Picks & Predictions

Free Play – Take #953 Chic. Cubs -135 over Pittsburgh (6:40 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Apr. 29)

A look at the current standings finds the Chicago Cubs have played 29 games, and this is the first time they are facing an opponent with a losing record. For years, the Cubs struggled at Pittsburgh, whether the Bucs were terrible or average, but lately they are 11-2 at PNC Park. Chicago is 8-5 on the road and will start Shota Imanaga (2-1, 3.18 ERA), and he is 12-0 vs a NL team with a slugging percentage of .390 or lower and 17-1 when his team is off a loss. (Cubs record) The Pirates will counter with veteran Andrew Heaney, who has gotten off to a surprising start at 2-1 with a 1.72 ERA. Look for the Cubs to take advantage of the drop in class with baseball's #1 offense.

Doug’s 5-2 the past three days and continues his smoldering run at 116-66, up over $3,800 in profit in the L59 days! Doug’s 27-13 in baseball. 17-11 in pro hoops along with 27-15 in the NHL!

>Grab Doug’s NBA Game of the Night! 60% Run

>MLB Terrific Tuesday 2-Pack! SPECIAL PRICE/ 27-13 Run

>NHL 1st Round Tear Down! Amazing 27-15 Run 

>NHL Double Down (2 Picks)

Doug is a highly decorated betting expert in his 22-year career and #2 here the last 60 days.

Bet on Home favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 like Philadelphia, with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.70 or better, against an opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.150 or lower. Teams like the Phillies are 153-43 in this spot.

2 Unit Play.  #978 Seattle +120 (-1.5 RL) over L.A. Angels (9:40 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Apr. 29)

Though we are not out of April yet, Seattle in first place in the AL West is not a shocker, but what is they are doing it with offense at #7 (4.9 RPG). The Mariners are pedestrian #17 in runs allowed, but their bats should have a day against Jack Kochanowicz (1-3, 5.47 ERA) and the Angels' #27 bullpen. The Halos are not hitting and are 0-6 on the RL after scoring one run or less, along with 1-7 on the RL after a loss by four runs or more.

1 Unit Play. Take #22 Toronto -160 over Ottawa (7:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Apr. 29)

The rumors are starting up again for Toronto after they lost Game 4 at Ottawa 4-3. The Maple Leafs are 1-12 in series-clinching games, thus, it’s natural for that topic to arise. But this is the best and deepest team Toronto has had in years. The Leafs can secure the victory by tightening up the penalty killing, as they have allowed one score each in the past three games. If Toronto does that, they choke off the Senators' offense which has only scored seven other goals in the series. Look for Toronto to overcome the demons and move to 30-14 at home and advance. 

3 Unit Play. Take #506 Indiana -7.5 over Milwaukee (6:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Apr. 29)

The winner of each game in this series has covered the spread. The only game Milwaukee won and covered is when they had a 75% Damian Lillard. He’s done now for about a year and the Bucks are looking at a rebuild and trading Giannis with the 2021 championship a fading memory. Indiana has shown to be quicker and faster on offense and defense, and with this a rivalry of sorts, the Pacers would love nothing better than to blitz the Bucks one more time. The last 14 times Indiana played against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) in the 2nd half of the season; their average score differential was 10.7 PPG. Pacers move on. 

3 Unit Play. Take #24 Carolina +105 (-1.5 PL) over New Jersey (7:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Apr. 29)

As I mentioned last week in taking Carolina, these teams has not played close games when to comes to the final score. Even with New Jersey’s OT win in Game 3, eight of the last nine meetings have been decided by two or more goals. If the Hurricanes jump on the Devils as expected, they can take the spirit out of New Jersey and win by multiple goals. With the Devils 0-9 SU in away games against defensive teams allowing 26.5 or fewer shots on goal in the 2nd half of the year, and most importantly losing 2.6 GAG, Carolina cruises.