Sports Handicapper William Burns's Picks & Predictions

(#208914) Palestino // 3-Way ML //. 

While La Serena has five wins this season (in 13 games,) I do believe that this team shouldn't have that many wins. This is a very high scoring league and its offense is going to get shut down this afternoon by a team in the top three of the division. 

Talking about the higher ranked team this season, Palestino has given up only 0.8 goals per game this season. It's at home today so it should be feeling quite confident about adding another W to its name. With La Serena having given up seven goals combined in their past two matches (both L's,) give me Palestino on Saturday. 

Burns' Prediction: 2-0 Palestino.

(#973) Cleveland Guardians @ (#974) Seattle Mariners // UNDER //. 

Tanner Bibee (4-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. George Kirby (1-3, 6.53 ERA) . 

While Tanner Bibee doesn't have the greatest of records, I still believe that he's one of the better pitchers in the MLB when he's right. He's got some nasty stuff and it's not his fault that the Guardians are slightly underperforming in my opinion at the moment and so far this year. Off consecutive QS's, he's going to be strong here this evening. 

On the other hand, George Kirby needed a few games to settle back into his groove. He too is one of the best young pitchers in all of baseball and he's fresh off a brilliant outing last weekend. Kirby's only getting better and it's time for him to unleash another strong performance this evening. Hammer the "under." 

Burns' Prediction: 3-1 Mariners.

(#971) New York Yankees // ML //. 

Carlos Rodon (8-4, 2.87 ERA) vs. Hunter Dobbins (3-1, 4.20 ERA) . 

While the Red Sox may have won in extra innings last night, I believe that this pitching matchup most definitely suits the Yankees more the the Red Sox. Rodon has been an absolute stud this season and is searching for even more success on Saturday. He's going to want better, especially after a poor performance in his last start (vs. BOS.) 

On the other hand, Hunter Dobbins didn't have the best of starts in that same game. Yes, he got the win. However, I don't believe that he deserved noe with that performance. Aaron Judge is going to be licking his chops after homering off him in that game as well as another time in that game in the 9th vs. a different pitcher. Give me the Yanks this time around. 

Burns' Prediction: 7-2 Yankees.

(#962) Los Angeles Dodgers // ML //. 

Landen Roupp (4-4, 3.29 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 4.35 ERA) . 

Even though Roupp has been very solid this season, I don't believe that this is a good matchup for him. The Dodgers are mad after yesterday's loss and want paybacks here this evening. Roupp has faced the Dodgers twice and hasn't gone far in either. No, those weren't starts. However, he does still own a 5.79 ERA against them. 

On the other hand, Kershaw is starting to come alive again this season. He's fresh off his best appearance of the season and he's facing one of his favorite opponents. As a matter of fact, he's an incredible 26-16 all time vs. SF with an extraordinary 2.06 ERA. This is going to be a game that he badly wants to win. Hammer LAD. 

Burns' Prediction: 5-1 Dodgers.

(#24537) Jose Ochoa // ML //. 

While Ochoa isn't too well known in the UFC with only eight professional fights (one in the UFC,) he's already fought a very dangerous opponent in Lone'er Kavanagh. As a matter of fact, I believe that Kavanagh is a name that people should keep an eye on in the coming years of the Flyweight Division. He's going to be a beast. Okay, back to Ochoa. He won a round in that fight and held his own against the top prospect. At just 24 years of age, I believe that he's a dangerous fighter himself and should be in the mix of the rankings in the coming years as well. On the other hand. Cody Durden is nearly 10 years older than the Peruvian. Yes, Durden has fought some very good competition in the UFC. However, he's also coming off a loss and has actually now lost three of his past four fights. I believe that this is a great opportunity for Ochoa to knock off a known name in the industry and build his own name up. Look for him to take advantage of it this weekend. 

Burns' Prediction: Jose Ochoa via. U-DEC.

(#19) Florida Panthers @ (#20) Edmonton Oilers // UNDER //. 

While I've taken it easy during the Stanley Cup Finals so far (2-0,) I believe that this is the perfect moment to jump on the "under." All four games so far have finished "over" the total with seven or more goals. That's something that's normally unheard of in the Stanley Cup Finals as goaltending and defense are normally emphasized. Having said that, I expect that to be focussed on much more in Game 5 as this series heads to essentially a best-of-three. 

During the regular season, Florida was one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. As a matter of fact, Sergei Bobrovsky had the 5th best GAA in all of hockey. At times, he's looked shaky. However, he's actually been very strong in the playoffs and has got the Panthers in a spot where they should still be feeling confident. Bob has had some of his better starts on the road in these playoffs and is 9-3. 

On the other hand, Edmonton seems to be turning back to Calvin Pickard who was undefeated for it during the playoffs before getting hurt. It's a funny situation having seen Skinner get benched twice in the same playoffs now. However, I do believe that Pickard has the high confidence levels right now. Pickard needs a good showing and I expect one from him after what happened in Game 4. Give me the "under" in Game 5 as my NHL PLAYOFF TOTAL OF THE YEAR. 

Burns' Prediction: (3-2 OT) Florida.

(#238005) Al Ahly vs. (#238006) Inter Miami // OVER //. 

Despite being an underdog today, I really believe that Al Ahly could make this game interesting on Saturday in the opening game of the FIFA Club World Cup. The Egyptian champs are already scoring lots of goals this season (22 in eight games.) It leads the Egyptian Premier League as well at the moment and that's expected. Al Ahly does give up its fair share of goals though too as it's conceded nine this season. 

On the other hand, Miami might just be the most entertaining club in the MLS. It's got Messi, of course, and that alone makes teams defend it differently. In 16 games this year, Miami has scored 36 goals and allowed 27 goals. That's a combined averaged of 3.94 goals per game with its opponents. This game will feature three goals or more on Saturday. 

Burns' Prediction: 2-2 Draw.