Sports Handicapper Michael Alexander's Picks & Predictions

Rating: 2 Units

Game Two home favorites coming off a win are 31-66-3 ATS since 1990 when hosting a foe coming off a loss — including 11-37-2 ATS when coming off a double-digit win.

Rating: 2 Units

Since 1990, NFL preseason teams in Game Two off an outright loss as a favorite in their first preseason game are 120-95-5 ATS — a powerful 56% winner on the blind. Better yet, road teams in this role are 80-55-3 ATS, including 41-21-1 ATS against an opponent coming off a win.

Rating: 2 Units

As part of an extremely questionable QB stable in Atlanta, Tua Tagovailoa did not look great in limited work against Denver. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has already said that none of his starters will play in this game, and that includes Tagovailoa (even though he has not been confirmed as the regular-season starter ahead of Michael Penix Jr.). As such, Cooper Rush and Jack Strand will likely be under center for the Falcons. The Colts won their last two preseason games in both 2023 and 2024 before dominating their 2025 preseason finale against the Bengals 41-14 decision. Indianapolis is usually the better preseason team and I also expect it to be the more inspired one playing in front of its home crowd.

Rating: 2 Units

There is a lot suspicious to me about this game -- not the least of which is that Cleveland is not really all that heavy of a favorite to win. You would expect the Guards to be huge favorites, and the fact that they are not makes me want to bet the Rockies. I know, it is never fun betting the Rockies to win, but even the bad teams win 40% of their games -- and that usually comes with a good payout. First, Tanner Bibee has been a struggling and unlucky pitcher. His last four decisions have been losses -- and even when he throws well, Cleveland fumbles the game away. He is a guy that relies on spin rate, but the ball doesn’t spin and break as much at elevation. On the other side is Gabriel Hughes, a guy who has given up seven runs in each of his last two starts, and those weren’t even at Coors Field. So why aren’t the Guardians heavy favorites? I don’t get it, but that definitely has me wanting to take the Rockies

Rating: 2 Units

Los Angeles Dodgers will handle the Pittsburgh Pirates by multiple runs at Dodger Stadium. A rising Dodgers starter, a slugging lineup against right-handers, a struggling Pittsburgh arm, and a brutal Pirates run-line record against lefties combine to make this a strong spread spot. The official pick is Los Angeles on the run line, laying the minus one and a half, with confidence the Dodgers pull away at home.

Rating: 2 Units

I usually fade pitchers making their big league debut, but Peterson isn’t worth backing with this 5.29 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 112.1 innings. Anderson also isn’t your typical prospect, as he’s considered top five in all of baseball. He dominated the College World Series, has looked sharp in the minors, and he’s expected to blossom into a front-of-the-line starter at some point. Please offer the low price and the Mariners at home.