Sports Handicapper Sean Murphy's Picks & Predictions

My selection is on Connecticut plus the points over Portland at 11 am et on Tuesday.

I generally like backing the Fire as an underdog rather than as a favorite. They're installed as a short fave on Tuesday in this early start matchup with the Sun. Portland is admittedly playing well right now, coming off a big upset win in Atlanta on Saturday and four straight ATS victories overall. Meanwhile, Connecticut had its five-game ATS winning streak snapped with a 79-64 home loss against Golden State on Friday. The Sun gave the Fire all it could handle in the first meeting between these two teams this season, dropping an 83-82 decision on May 18th. Their next matchup went Portland's way as well, albeit in more lopsided fashion, 71-61. Note that the Sun simply couldn't take advantage of their scoring opportunities in that contest, hoisting up 62 field goal attempts while holding the Fire to only 52. Both of those matchups came in Portland. Here, I look for the Sun to get their revenge at home. Take Connecticut (8*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Washington and Toronto at 7 pm et on Tuesday.

Toronto has shot the lights out over its last two games, making up for some continued absences in its lineup. It has also proven vulnerable defensively, allowing six of its last eight opponents to hoist up at least 74 field goal attempts. Washington offers a different sort of challenge. The Mystics run one of the slowest-paced offenses in the league, attempting 62 or fewer field goals in seven of their last nine contests. Despite allowing three straight opponents to hoist up 70+ field goal attempts, they still limited the opposition to 30 or fewer made field goals in all three contests. In fact, the Mystics have held 11 of their last 17 foes to 30 or fewer made field goals. With all of that being said, Washington is coming off an 'over' result against Seattle on Sunday. The Mystics were forced to speed up as they trailed most of the way, and ultimately shot 31-for-72 (43.1%) from the field in an 84-79 come-from-behind victory. The last meeting between these two teams totalled 171 points on June 12th. However, their first matchup this season reached only 133 points. Of course, that has long been forgotten as it took place on opening night back in early May. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on the 'under' between the American League and National League at 8 pm et on Tuesday.

Another year, another opportunity to play the 'under' in an MLB All-Star Game. While it's not quite the Army-Navy game, we have seen six of the last nine All-Star Games total seven runs or less. That being said, the last two clashes between the A.L. and N.L. have toppled the seven-run mark. I look for that to change this year. Both teams will be missing some mighty bats including Shohei Ohtani on the N.L. side and Nick Kurtz and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the A.L. I like the make-up of both pitching staffs, with a number of unheralded but electric arms on both sides, and expect runs to come at a premium on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Take the under (8*).

Semi-final Game of the Year. My selection is on the draw (90 minutes) between Spain and France at 3 pm et on Tuesday.

While I do expect France to find a way to advance, I don't expect anything to be straight-forward in what sets up as a contest for the ages on Tuesday in Arlington. Spain hasn't thoroughly dominated the opposition the way that France has in this tournament but it has come up with class when needed and enters Tuesday's showdown undefeated across its last 16 matches. I don't need to tell you that there's little to choose between these soccer super powers. They actually last met just over a year ago in the UEFA Nations League Finals with Spain pulling off a thrilling 5-4 victory. The plus-money return on France in regular time will be too enticing for a lot of bettors to pass up. I just don't think an equalizer will ever be far off in this one and will go back to the well with the 90-minute draw. Take the draw (10*).