Sports Handicapper Sean Murphy's Picks & Predictions

My selection is on the 'under' between Golden State and Connecticut at 7 pm et on Wednesday.

This total may seem low at first glance but there actually hasn't been much of an adjustment made after these two teams combined to score just 143 points in a game that saw a closing total of 153.5 back on July 10th. The Valkyries enter this contest riding a six-game 'under' streak with none of those games reaching 150 total points. Connecticut just played last night and put up 87 points representing a high-water mark for it here in August. It will face a far more difficult challenge on Wednesday, however, as the Valkyries have held five straight and nine of their last 10 opponents to fewer than 30 made field goals. With that being said, Golden State has actually been pushing the pace a little more than usual lately, hoisting up 70+ field goal attempts in four straight games. I'm not convinced we'll see that here, however, knowing they have to take the short trip to Brooklyn to take on the Liberty tomorrow night. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on New York over Houston at 7:05 pm et on Wednesday.

The Yankees are undecided on a starter at the time of writing but regardless how they tackle this contest, I think we're getting value off last night's loss and like their chances of lighting up Astros starter Peter Lambert. You would have to go back six starts to find the last time Lambert worked six innings in a start. He had been wobbling before the wheels came off completely in his most recent outing. Lambert lasted only 3 2/3 innings in that start against the Angels, allowing nine earned runs on eight hits. While he hasn't faced New York this season, a number of Yankees have had success against him, going a collective 11-for-28 (.393) with a 1.040 OPS. Houston won last night's game in a slugfest and unfortunately that's the way they've needed to win a lot of games lately with a bullpen that has posted a 5.86 ERA and 1.37 WHP over the last week and a 4.25 ERA and 1.41 WHIP on the road against A.L. opponents this season. With Ryan Weathers hitting the I.L., this slot is likely going to turn out to be a 'bullpen game' for the Yanks. That's just fine as their relief corps is in good shape with all hands likely on deck for this one thanks to an off day just two days ago. Take New York (8*).

My selection is on Los Angeles over Cleveland at 4:05 pm et on Wednesday.

Few bettors will want any part of the Angels after they blew an early 5-0 and late 6-5 lead en route to an 8-6 extra innings loss against the Guardians last night. We'll back them, however, as they send Grayson Rodriguez to the mound against Joey Cantillo. Of course, Cleveland will be trying to complete back-to-back series sweeps after cruising past Colorado over the weekend as well. Cantillo has already eclipsed his career high in innings pitched and is perhaps showing some signs of wear as he has issued seven walks in just 10 2/3 innings of work over his last two starts. The Padres and Rockies weren't able to take advantage in his last two outings but I think the Angels will in this spot. Rodriguez checks in off his best start of the season, allowing just two unearned runs over seven innings in an 18-3 romp over the Astros last week. It's been a difficult return from injury for Rodriguez but I don't think he'll be asked to do too much here. At the current price, I believe the Halos are worth a flyer here. Take Los Angeles (8*).

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