Sports Handicapper Matt Fargo's Picks & Predictions

This is a play on the PHOENIX MERCURY for our WNBA Thursday Enforcer. Phoenix survived its toughest part of the schedule this season and it has a chance to make a run at the Storm for the best record in the league. The Mercury finally return to the Talking Stick Resort Arena for four straight games after having played eight of their last nine games on the road dating back to June 24. While they face some tough teams down the stretch, nine of their final 11 games are at home where have played only eight games compared to 15 on the highway. Las Vegas is coming off a 99-78 loss to the Sparks on the road Sunday and it was a tough loss as the Aces had a fourth quarter lead, but Los Angeles closed the game on a 21-3 run. Las Vegas had won four straight games prior to that, so while it was building confidence, that confidence came crashing down in a matter of minutes. The Aces are three games out of the final playoff spot and while there are plenty of games left, eight of their last 11 games are against teams with winning records so making a run will not be easy. Here, we play on home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points after having lost three of their last four games going up against an opponent after having won three of their last four games. This situation is 46-19 ATS (70.8 percent) since 1997. 10* (314) Phoenix Mercury

This is a play on the SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS for our CFL Thursday Enforcer. The Roughriders and Tiger-Cats meet in the back end of a home-and-home series that, due to a bye week, has been stretched out an extra seven days. Saskatchewan prevailed in the first matchup 18-13 despite getting outgained by 131 total yards as its bend but do not break defense kept Hamilton out of the endzone despite amassing 429 total yards. It has been a struggle offensively for the Roughriders since Zach Collaros went down with a concussion. Quarterback Brandon Bridge is set to make his third straight start for Saskatchewan and the fourth of his career and he is returning to the site of his first start for the Roughriders as he helped them win in Hamilton last season. David Watford will also see time behind center as head coach Chris Jones confirmed that the two will split time again which does give them some extra wrinkles on offense. While Hamilton is looking for some revenge, this line is inflated in what very well could be another low scoring battle which gives a big edge to the underdog, especially one this big. The Roughriders defense has stepped up numerous times against highly-powered teams as they are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games against teams averaging 325 or more passing ypg. Meanwhile, Hamilton is just 3-12 ATS in its last 15 home games against teams allowing 75 or fewer rushing ypg. 10* (371) Saskatchewan Roughriders