Sports Handicapper Nick Parsons's Picks & Predictions

6 OUT OF 10 CONSENSUS on the OVER Red Sox/Guardians.

Both teams come into this series having played to several lower-scoring games of late, but we're expecting a higher-scoring offensive affair here in the opener of this one. Boston comes in desperate to snap a three-game slide, losing all three at home to Tampa over the weekend. All three games went UNDER the number. Note though that the Red Sox have seen the total go OVER the number in eight of their last 11 after three or more straight losses in a row, and in three of their last four after playing to three or more straight UNDERS in a row. Cleveland went 2-2 at Minnesota over the weekend and the final three games all went UNDER the number. That's also significant to note here, as the Guardians have in fact seen the total go OVER the number in four of their last five after playing to three or more straight UNDERS in a row. Two good starters, but this is just a case of them being in the "wrong place" at the "wrong time" this afternoon. James Paxton is a pedestrian 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA for the BoSox, while Shane Bieber is a more respectable 4-3 with a 3.72 ERA. Ultimately, we look for this total to sneak OVER the number in the latter frames.

Good luck, TIR

6 OUT OF 10 CONSENSUS on the Jays.

WE expect the Jays to bounce back after yesterday's 11-4 loss. Note that Toronto is 7-2 in its last nine in trying to avenge a home loss as a favorite vs. an opponent. Previous to yesterday's meltdown, the Jays had won four sraight and six of their last eight. Houston has won four of its last five, but we're finally expecting a small letdown here. The Astros hand the ball to Hunter Brown, who is 5-2 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Difficult to say too many negative things about Brown, so we won't bother. He's just in the "wrong place" at the "wrong time" today. He'll be opposed by battle-tested Kevin Gausman, who is 4-3 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. The overall situation points to TORONTO exacting a little revenge here on Tuesday night.

Good luck, TIR

10 OUT OF 10 CONSENSUS on the UNDER Sparks/Storm.

We're expecting a very defensive affair here between two teams that have played to several higher-scoring games to open the season. In fact, Seattle has seen all four of its games eclispe the posted number thus far, including in its 92-85 loss at LA on June 3rd. Note though that the Storm have interestingly seen the total go UNDER the number in three of their last four in trying to avenge a road loss vs. an opponent. LA has seen the total go OVER in four of its five games. These facts though have only helped in driving this particular total here on Tuesday in the Pacific Northwest a couple points higher than it normally would/should be. The overall situation, combined with the above O/U stat makes the UNDER the correct call in our opinion.

Good luck, TIR