Sports Handicapper Ross Benjamin's Picks & Predictions

Braves (Morton) @ Marlins (Alcantara) 7:10 PM ET

Game# 905-906

Play On: Marlins +106 (5*)

Atlanta’s Charlie Morton has been in good form during his last 4 starts. However, he’s only made it beyond 6.0 innings in 1 of his 12 starts this season. That’s an issue when considering that Atlanta’s bullpen has pitched poorly on the road as evidenced by a staff 5.36 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.

The Marlins Sandy Alcantara has displayed excellent form during his last 4 starts with a shiny 1.93 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and averaged an impressive 7.0 innings pitcher per appearance. The Miami bullpen has pitched well at home in 2021 with a staff 3.21 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. The Marlins are a poor 13-22 in away games but have been a respectable 14-13 at home. Bet on the Marlins for a 5* money line wager.

Mariners (Dunn) @ Indians (Civale) 7:10 PM ET

Game# 917-918

Play On: Over 9.0 (5*)

I like the starting pitchers in this matchup. Although, Anthony Civale allowed 5 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings during his lone start versus Seattle earlier this year. Nonetheless, I can do without Seattle’s bullpen, and even the usually reliable Cleveland relievers have struggled of late. The Indians have gone over the total during its last 4 and there was a combined 14.5 runs scored per game. Seattle has played 4-1 to the over during their previous 5 and there was a combined average of 13.0 runs scored per game. Bet on this game to go over the total for a 5* wager.

Padres (Snell) @ Mets (DeGrom) 7:10 PM ET

Game# 907-908

Play On: Mets -1.5 (+147) (5*)

The Padres Blake Snell has been great at home this season. Unfortunately for Snell, his start today comes on the road where the southpaw has struggled mightily. Specifically speaking, Snell is 0-6 in his team starts on the road with an alarmingly high 9.70 ERA and 2.11 WHIP. The Padres are just 3-8 in their last 11 games and that includes 0-4 on the road. The Padres are averaging just 2.7 runs scored per game over their previous 7 outings.

What can you say about Jacob DeGrom that hasn’t already been mentioned? DeGrom has made 9 starts this season while recording a microscopic 0.62 ERA and 0.57 WHIP. Furthermore, DeGrom allowed 1 earned run or less in all 9 starts. The Mets bullpen has been terrific at home while registering a staff 1.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and they’re a perfect 5-5 in save opportunities. New York is 15-5 at home this season and includes 9-1 during their previous 10 at Citi Field. Bet on the Mets for a 5* run-line wager.

Phoenix @ Denver 10:05 PM ET

Game# 533-534

Play On: Phoenix +2.0 (5*)

The loss of starting guard Jamal Murray has shown up in this series already. The Nuggets wer able to get by without Murray in their opening round series against Portland. However, that can be attributed to Portland being an average to below average defensive team. On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns are allowing 98.5 points per game in these 2021 NBA Playoffs. That includes holding opponents to 98 points or fewer in 4 of their 8 postseason contests. Conversely, Denver is allowing an alarmingly high 120.2 points per game during postseason action while also allowing opponents (Portland, Phoenix) to shoot 48.4% and make an extremely high 41.7% of their 3-point shot attempts. Bet on Phoenix for a 5* wager.

Philadelphia @ Atlanta 7:35 PM ET

Game# 531-532

Play On: Atlanta +1.5 (10*)

The Atlanta Hawks are 13-0 in their last 13 home games. Yet, the Hawks find themselves as a small home underdog in today’s Game 3 of this Eastern Conference Semifinal series. It must be noted, since the start of the 2018-2019 NBA season, Atlanta is 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS when playing at home versus Philadelphia. That includes a 112-94 blowout win in their only home game versus Philadelphia this season. Since the start of last season, Philadelphia has gone a dominating 63-9 at home. However, they’re an uninspiring 29-40 on the road during that identical time frame. Bet on Atlanta for a 10* Top Play wager.