Sports Handicapper Sean Murphy's Picks & Predictions

Western Conference Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Minnesota and Golden State at 10 pm et on Wednesday.

I'll continue to put my money where my mouth is when it comes to Valkyries totals. I stated prior to Golden State's game against Los Angeles on August 9th that it was likely to go on an 'under' run following an improbable string of 'over' results, and it has played out precisely that way with each of its last three contests staying 'under' the total. While the Lynx pose a significant challenge, I think the total will prove too high once again. Keep in mind, the first two meetings between these teams this season were both played at a faster pace than I'm anticipating tonight yet those two previous matchups still totalled an average in the low-160's. The Valkyries have absolutely clamped down defensively in recent contests, holding four of their last five opponents to 63 or fewer field goal attempts. Meanwhile, Golden State hoisted up an uncharacteristically-high 72 field goal attempts in its most recent game against Dallas on Monday (that game still totalled just 148 points). I expect to see the Valkyries try to turn this into an uglier affair in an effort to stage the 'upset' on Wednesday. We haven't seen Minnesota's best defensive efforts recently but it has still held six of its last seven opponents to fewer than 70 field goal attempts. Already 2-0 on its current road trip and having shot the lights out recently, I think a letdown is in order against an elite defensive opponent here. Take the under (10*).

Interleague Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Arizona and Boston at 4:10 pm et on Wednesday.

A bit of a unique start time at Fenway Park on Wednesday of 4:10 pm et, potentially leading to some shadow-related challenges for the hitters. Regardless, we have what I consider to be a top flight starting pitching matchup and reasonably favorable weather conditions (low humidity) to support the 'under'. Brandon Pfaadt has been lights out for the D'Backs lately, allowing no earned runs over his last four starts. And those outings came against the likes of the Pirates, Padres, Dodgers and Braves so not exactly light work. Payton Tolle has enjoyed a breakout campaign for the Red Sox. The left-hander has labored a bit recently but not in his last start as he tossed eight shutout innings against the Blue Jays. The D'Backs offense has stagnated somewhat so even though they've had plenty of success against southpaw pitching this season, I don't think that confidence will necessarily be there on Wednesday. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Arizona over Boston at 4:10 pm et on Wednesday.

The Red Sox have dummied the D'Backs so far in this series but I look for Arizona to respond on Wednesday. Brandon Pfaadt hasn't allowed a single earned run over his last four outings for the D'Backs. He's thrived on the road this season, going 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, not to mention a strikeout-to-walk ratio two times higher than he's posted at home. Meanwhile, Red Sox starter Payton Tolle owns a 1-3 record in daytime starts compared to a 7-3 mark at night. Boston figures to be an auto-play for a lot of bettors given the way this series has gone so far. We'll go the other way and grab the value with the underdog D'Backs. Take Arizona (8*).