Sports Handicapper Matt Fargo's Picks & Predictions

This is a play on the CHICAGO CUBS for our MLB Game of the Week. A huge four-game series opens tonight in Chicago with the Cubs trying to make up three games on the Cardinals in the National League Central. Chicago has won five straight games before a pair of losses against the Reds and they remain in a tie with Milwaukee for the second wild Card spot in the National League so there is a lot going on. The Cubs are 51-26 at home which is second best in the National League and they have won their last seven series openers. St. Louis is coming off a 3-3 homestand and is just 4-5 over its last nine games. The Cardinals are nothing special on the road at two games under .500 and they are 7-20 in their last 27 road games against teams with a winning record. Jack Flaherty is the reason this line is so low and to his credit, he has been lights out. However, the offense has backed him with two runs or less in six of his last eight starts and Wrigley Field is not his friend with a 6.35 ERA over four starts. Kyle Hendricks has been dealing it as well with the exception of a couple bad road outings. He has a 1.75 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 13 home starts with 12 of those being quality outings. Chicago has won 10 straight and 14 of his last 17 starts against the Cardinals. 10* (956) Chicago Cubs

This is a play on the TENNESSEE TITANS for our NFL Thursday Enforcer. We would normally take a look at the home underdog in a primetime game but not in this case as the Jaguars are a mess right now. They are down to their second string quarterback and last week, Jalen Ramsey got into a sideline fight with Doug Marrone and has now demanded a trade. From a matchup standpoint, the defenses should decide this game. Jacksonville is allowing 119.5 rushing ypg through two weeks, and with the Titans being a team that relies heavily on their running game, that is good news for Tennessee. On the other side, the Titans ranked eighth in the league in defense last year, and through two games in 2019, they have allowed just 32 points, and they have played some potent offenses. Offensively, look for Marcus Mariota to target tight end Delanie Walker and wide receiver Adam Humphries more than last week, especially on third down. Here, we play on road teams against division opponents, first month of the season, non-playoff team from last season who won four or more of their last five games. This situation is 30-9 ATS (76.9 percent) since 1983. 10* (301) Tennessee Titans

This is a play on the TULANE GREEN WAVE for our CFB Thursday Star Attraction. We won with Houston last week as it covered against Washington St. but the Cougars are in a brutal spot here. They go from playing against a prolific passing team to facing a spread option team so getting ready for this game is a challenge, especially on a short week. Tulane is 2-1 with the lone loss coming against Auburn which was a one possession game late in the third quarter. Since making a quarterback change last season, the Green Wave are 7-2 with Justin McMillan under center. they are coming off a big win over Missouri St. and going back, Tulane is 8-0 ATS in its last eight home games following a win by 28 or more points. This is the third time in four games that Houston has played on a non-Saturday and that really messes up the preparation schedule. Here, we play on teams after gaining 7.25 or more yppl in their previous game, with eight defensive starters returning, in the first month of the season. This situation is 45-18 ATS (71.4 percent) over the last five seasons. 10* (304) Tulane Green Wave