Sports Handicapper Will Rogers's Picks & Predictions

The set-up: The Roughriders will hope to open the season with a 2-0 record after beating the Toronto Argonauts handily in Week 1. Ottawa will have different plans obviously as it kicks off its 2018 campaign

The teams: Saskatchewan has won four straight on the road dating to last year. QB Zach Collaros had 203 yards and a TD last week, to go along with zero INT’s. Duron Carter and Caleb Holley combined for 83 receiving yards. Jerome Messam though leads a strong running attack which posted 111 yards last week.

The Redblacks were 8-9-1 last year, but they’ll be looking to improve those numbers with QB Trevor Harris, who helped his team finish third in the league in total points scored last season.

The pick: It’s a quick turnaround for the Roughriders, who have to travel across the country for this one. Take it for what you will, but Saskatchewan has seen the total go “over” the number in 12 of its last 19 non-conference games. This one has the feel of a wide open “shootout,” rather than a “chess match.” Play the “over.”

The set-up: Oakland rolled to a 12-4 win in San Diego last night and I think the contented visiting side will have a predictable letdown here. Everything points to a competitive/tight game, decided late or perhaps even in extra frames. A couple of horrible starters go head-to-head. The A’s go with Chris Bassitt, while the White Sox go with Lucas Giolito.

The pitchers: Bassitt is so far 0-2 with a 2.45 ERA. Bassitt most recently gave up six runs off seven hits over four innings in a loss to the Angels on Friday. Bassitt’s peripherals suggest that rockier times are ahead as well.

Giolito is so far 4-7 with a 7.19 ERA. Giolito was rocked for five runs off six hits over 5.1 innings in a loss to Detroit on Saturday. Let’s face it, Giolito has been terrible this year, but he catches a break tonight throwing at home against a counterpart that also has more questions than answers right now. Bassitt owns a career ERA of 4.00 over 150.2 innings.

The pick: The door is now open for Giolito to punch another one into the win column facing the overachieving Bassitt. I think this one could easily be decided in extra frames, which makes the correct call the White Sox on the run-line.

The set-up: Two teams which can struggle to put runs on the board at times square off against a couple of capable starters. In my opinion, this one sets up as a classic “duel.” The Padres go with Tyson Ross, while the Giants go with Madison Bumgarner.

The pitchers: Ross is so far 5-4 with a 3.51 ERA. Ross comes in off a difficult loss to the Braves on Thursday, giving up three runs off three hits while striking out four over six frames. Ross’s velocity was up on his fast-ball to over 91 MPH and he’ll now look to improve upon his respectable 3-2, 3.11 ERA night record.

Bumgarner is so far 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA. Bumgarner most recently allowed three runs off five hits with four walks while striking out three over six innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Saturday. Bumgarner continues to try and work himself back into game shape, but he certainly has the track record and pedigree to get things turned around quickly.

The pick: The Padres have struggled on the road this year with a 16-19 record. They’ve also struggled to plate runs away from friendly confines, having seen the total go 11-23 on the road. Bumgarner faces the perfect opponent to get back on track, while I also expect Ross to continue his steady progression. Add it all up and this one has “under” written all over it.

The set-up: The Cubs closed out a home set with the Dodgers with a 4-0 win yesterday and I think they’ll carry that momentum over here facing erratic Reds’ starter Matt Harvey. Chicago hands the ball to Kyle Hendricks in this one.

The pitchers: Hendricks is so far 5-6 with a 3.55 ERA. Hendricks most recently allowed three earned runs off seven hits and four walks while striking out three over six innings in a victory over St. Louis on Saturday. Hendricks enters with a respectable 4-3, 3.79 ERA in all night games this year.

Harvey is so far 1-5 with a 5.92 ERA. Harvey most recently gave up three runs off four hits and two walks over five innings while striking out two in a loss to the Pirates on Friday. Harvey was decent, but he’d ultimately come up short again. Harvey now sports the ballooned ERA and note that he owns a 5.63 ERA in all home games.

The pick: Chicago is 41-29 overall this year, which includes going 21-15 on the road. Cincinnati is 27-45 this season, including just 12-23 at home. The Cubs are also 115-69 against the division the last three seasons, while the Reds are just 78-105 against divisional foes in the same span. No upset in this one, lay the price.

The set-up: France comes into its second Group C matchup sitting at the top after it’s 2-1 win over Australia, while Peru can be put out of its misery after it fell 1-0 to Denmark.

The teams: The French are expected to field the identical squad after its Game 1 win. Antoine Griezmann scored from the penalty spot against the Aussies and he now has 21 international goals in 55 games. Note that France has now gone unbeaten in its last five matches, winning four of those.

Peru is led by Paolo Guerrero, who has scored a national-record 34 goals over 89 appearances. Christian Cueva blasted a penalty well over the bar in his team’s closest chance last time out though, and the disastrous effort would go on to set the tone for the rest of the game.

The pick: Peru is tough on the back line, but France has scored 19 goals in its last nine matches. Also note that the French have not lost to a South American team since 1978. Peru was in great form heading into the tournament, but I think it’s Game 1 setback will weigh heavily on its mind again here. Ultimately I look for France’s high-powered attack to prove to be too much for the Peruvian’s to handle. Lay the price.

The set-up: Lionel Messi missed a penalty shot in Argentina’s opening game against Iceland and the South American power house would have to settle for a draw. Croatia though rolled to a 2-0 win over Nigeria, which now clearly puts the pressure on Argentina to find a way to win this one outright, as a draw or a loss here would put it in jeopardy of advancing. The Croat’s looked strong against their African opponent, but I think they’ll come up short here.

The teams: Argentina was a runner up in Brazil four years ago and it’s going to be looking to get back on track after its opening lacklustre effort. Messi may have missed the free kick, but overall he had a strong outing with 12 shots on net. Sergio Aguero managed the lone goal.

Luka Modic scored for Croatia in its opening win against Nigeria. The Croats have now won three of their last five, but note that they’ve lost their last two against South American opposition, with 2-0 losses to both Brazil and Peru in friendlies.

The pick: Messi will be a man on a mission here after taking the full blame for his team’s “draw.” However, you’ll also want to keep your eyes Aguero, who has four goals in his last four games.

I think the “hungrier” team finds a way to get the job done at the end of the night.