Sports Handicapper Scott Rickenbach's Picks & Predictions

Divisional Dominator - Rickenbach NHL Monday 8* OVER the total in Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:35 ET - Both of these teams have won 4 of 5 games and the over is 4-1 for both of these clubs as well so far this season. That said, I expect the hot scoring to continue. Tampa Bay is off of a tight 2-1 win versus St Louis but, prior to that, they scored at least 4 goals in each of their first 4 games! Detroit has scored 4 goals in 3 of their first 5 games including their only home game so far this season. The Red Wings will take advantage of a Lightning team that, prior to the win over the Blues, had allowed 3 goals or more in all 4 of their games this season. The trouble for Detroit is they have lost 7 straight games to the Lightning and TB did score 4.2 goals per game in their 5-0 sweep of the Red Wings last season. The Bolts have plenty of confidence in Detroit as they've won 7 straight games there and, keep in mind, Tampa did eliminate the Red Wings from the post-season with a 4-1 series win in the spring of 2016. When the Wings are off of a stretch where they played 3 or more consecutive road games, they've had just 8 unders in 24 games - 33%! When the Bolts are off of a stretch where they've played 3 or more consecutive home games, they've had just 11 unders in 29 games - 38%! These teams had one tight, low-scoring match-up last season but they totaled 30 goals in the other 4 meetings - an average of 7.5 goals per game! 8* OVER the total in Detroit

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach Free Pick NHL Monday Detroit Red Wings Money Line (+) vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:35 ET - The Red Wings have been a pleasant surprise early this season and they're looking to get revenge on the Lightning. Not only did Tampa Bay win all 5 meetings last season, the Lightning eliminated Detroit from the post-season in the spring of 2016 when the Bolts took the first round series 4 games to 1. The Red Wings have had two days off since the played at Vegas Friday. Detroit handed the Golden Knights what remains the only loss that Vegas has so far this season. The Red Wings penalty killing has been excellent as they have killed off 21 of 23 power plays thus far. Also, though they failed to convert their only power play opportunity at Vegas, Detroit entered that game with 4 power play goals in the first 4 games. Tampa Bay has given up 4 power play goals in 16 opportunities for the opposition in their last 4 games. Also, the Bolts have lost 25 of 40 (-$14,600) when, in the first half of a season, they're facing a team with a winning record. Tampa Bay allowed 48 shots on goal in their only road game this season. Conversely, the Red Wings have allowed an average of just 31.7 shots on goal in their last 3 games! I also like the edge in the fact that both teams are 4-1 on the season but the Red Wings have arguably been more impressive as they've had 4 of their 5 games on the road while the Bolts simply took advantage of having 4 of their 5 games at home. It's worth noting that Tampa Bay lost their only road game this season! Free Pick on DETROIT

Golden Ticket - Rickenbach MLB 8* New York Yankees Money Line (-) vs Houston Astros @ 8:05 ET - The home team is a perfect 4-0 so far in League Championship Series action. The Dodgers have a 2-0 lead on the Cubs as they won both home games in Los Angeles in the NLCS and, here in the ALCS, the Astros are up 2-0 on the Yankees after winning both games in Houston. Look for the "home dominance" trend to continue here as the Yankees went 10-3 in CC Sabathia's home starts this season as the veteran left-hander compiled a 7-2 record at Yankee Stadium. He has a 2.35 ERA in his last 3 starts and has struck out 20 in 15 and 1/3 innings. Sabathia allowed just 4 hits in 6 and 2/3 innings in his lone start versus the Astros this season. The southpaw will be opposed by Astros right-hander Charlie Morton in this one. He went just 4-4 in his road starts this season. Morton also has a 5.68 ERA in his 2 career starts versus the Yankees. The Astros are just 23-24 (-$11,600) in games against left-handed starters this season. Also, the Yankees are 24-8 (75%) in home games with a posted total of 8 or 8.5 runs! Additionally, the Yanks are 28-15 (66%) as a home fave in a price range of -125 to -175. They're in the lowest part of that range for this one and I love the value here as I look for home teams to improve to 5-0 so far in the race toward the World Series. 8* NEW YORK YANKEES

Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach Monday NFL 8* OVER the total in Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts @ 8:30 ET - The Colts offense got a boost with a big game from Jacoby Brissett last week and that gives them extra confidence heading into this match-up with the Titans. Of course the fact that Indianapolis has won all 10 meetings with Tennessee since Chuck Pagano took over at head coach also bodes well for the Colts here. Indianapolis has averaged 28.9 points per game in those 10 victories. As for the Titans, their offense has been miserable the last two weeks but they lost Marcus Mariota after throwing just 10 passes in their game at Houston two weeks ago. Tennessee was then without Mariota in their next game, last week at Miami. Now, with Mariota back, the Titans offense should enjoy much better production. Tennessee had averaged 28.7 points per game in their first 3 games before Mariota got hurt. Both of these teams allow a ton of points so don't look for many defensive stops in this one! The Titans are allowing 28.4 points per game and the Colts are allowing 31.8 points per game this season. When the Colts are a road dog of 7.5 to 10 points, the over is on a 19-6 run! In games played on grass, Indianapolis is on a 12-1 run to the over and it will be beautiful autumn weather tonight in Nashville so no limitations for the offenses in this one. The Titans are 10-3 to the over as a favorite including a perfect 4-0 to the over when they are a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. Look for a shootout in this one! 8* OVER the total in Tennessee

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach Free Pick Monday Night NFL Indianapolis Colts (+) @ Tennessee Titans @ 8:30 ET - The Colts have won 11 straight meetings with the Titans. Also, under head coach Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis is 8-1-1 ATS in their 10 games against division rival Tennessee. Believe it or not, this is a huge game even though it involves a pair of 2-3 teams. The winner will be tied for 1st place in the AFC South with Jacksonville and Houston while the loser falls a game behind everyone else in the division. While the Titans may indeed finally snap their 11-game losing skid to the Colts, I don't see it coming by more than a TD. There is solid line value here with Indy catching 8 points here (and in some spots as high as 8.5) as of early game-day morning. The Colts have the momentum edge with wins in 2 of their last 3 games and they also have the series history edge. Those two things lead to a lot of confidence and Jacoby Brissett is coming off of a huge game for Indianapolis - still without Andrew Luck. Even though Marcus Mariota is expected back for the Titans tonight, will he truly be 100%? Also, Tennessee has lost two straight games and confidence is waning. The Colts are 8-4 ATS as a dog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. They're also on an 8-2 ATS run in games played between weeks 5 and 9. The Titans are on a 2-13 ATS run against teams with a losing record! Free Pick on INDIANAPOLIS