Sports Handicapper Jim Feist's Picks & Predictions

Minnesota and Phoenix play game three of their best of seven series in the West conference 1st round. The Wolves took both games back in Minnesota and have put the Suns into a must win situation here on Friday. The Wolves coming off a 105-93 win over Phoenix as a 3.5-point favorite. Still, the Suns have owned a 7-3 record vs the Wolves their last 10 meetings. The Wolves dominated the first two games, winning by a 18.5 point average. They have allowed the Suns just 106.2 ppg, well below their 115.7 ppg average during the regular season. If there is one game the Suns need to get back to regular season for, it's this one. They can ill afford another loss and go down 0-3. I'll take the Suns here on Friday in a must win spot.

The Western Conference 1st round matchup has the Dallas Mavericks taking on the LA Clippers in game three of their series. The venue moves to Dallas here on Friday. The series is tied 1-1 and this game holds a key for both teams as they set the tone in this series. The Clippers dominated game one back in LA, 109-97, as a 3-point dog. Then they lost game two, 93-96, as a 1.5-point favorite. The Clippers were without star Kawhi Leonard for the first two games. However, he's been upgraded to questionable. Even if Leonard doesn't go they are still loaded with offense in the form of Paul George and James Harden. The Dallas Mavericks return home but will be dealing with a host of injuries. Tim Hardaway Jr who will miss this game. The Mavs have lived and died by the 3-point shot this year and without Hardaway that will put a dent in that average. Both teams could be missing key cogs here tonight, but Leonard could play. I'll take the points with Clippers to bounce back here in game three.

 The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins begin their four game set here tonight. The Nats are coming off a three-game loss to the Dodgers at home where they were outscored 4-17 by LA. The Nationals dropped to 10-14 in the NL East but are five games ahead of last place Miami. They have a -22 run differential. Trevor Williams will start here today for the Nats with a 2-0 record in his four starts. He also has a nice 2.91 ERA and 0.970 WHIP. Williams coming off a no decision against the Astros where he went six innings and gave up just three hits and one run. Miami was swept by the Braves in their three game series, scoring just three total runs in the process and allowing 12 runs. The last place Marlins are 12.5 games back of division leading Atlanta and have a division worse -47 run differential. Only the Rockies have a worse run differential. Jesus Luzardo is 0-2 in his five starts with a 6.58 ERA and 1.423 ERA. The team is 0-3 in his home starts with a 5.87 ERA. Somehow the Marlins are around a 1.60 favorite here today. They are the worst team in the division and have a worse pitcher starting. Ok, I'll bite, give me the Nationals.

The St Louis Cardinals and NY Mets play game one of their three-game set here on Friday. The Cardinals are coming off a series vs the D'backs where they won two of three games. Still, they are slumping having lost five of their last seven games. The Cardinals are 11-14 and in last place in the NL Central, 5.5-games back of the Brewers. They also have the worst run differential in the division with a -26 number. They will send Miles Mikolas to the hill today. Mikolas has not been very good, posting a 1-3 mark in five starts and a 6.49 ERA. He's allowed 10 runs over his last 9 2/3 innings of work. The Mets salvaged the final game of a three game set at San Francisco with a 8-2 win on Wednesday. The Mets are 13-11 and in third place in the NL East, 4.5-games back of the Braves. They also have a +10 run differential. Jose Butto will toe the rubber for the Mets on Friday. Butto has no record after three starts. However, he's been very good with a 1.65 ERA and 1.041 WHIP. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his starts. Moreover, he's allowed just two total runs over his last 10 1/3 innings of work with 15 KO's and six walks. Good price on the Mets at home here today. I'll take New York in this one.