Sports Handicapper William Burns's Picks & Predictions

(#921) Tampa Bay Rays | ML | . 

Shane McClanahan (1-1, 3.95 ERA) vs. Mitch Keller (1-1, 2.86 ERA) . 

After completing the comeback last night after being down 4-0 before the rain delay, the Rays should have a ton of confidence entering this final game of the series vs. Pittsburgh. I know that it was a long period of time off for Shane McClanahan. However, I'm still a massive believer in his stuff and believe that he can get back to the level that he was at prior to the injury. Mitch Keller should continue the improve this season, especially in the record department. However, this isn't the best matchup for him. Let's not forget that he did have 15 losses a season ago. I've got Tampa Bay in this one. 

Burns' Prediction: 5-2 Rays.

(#200917) Wigan Athletic | 3-WAY ML | . 

I know that Wigan isn't high in the standings by any means in the 3rd division of English Football. However, this is a case where one team has been feeling it lately and the other team is just fighting for its life to stay up in this division. Because of being in a relegation position at the moment, Port Vale is going to leave plenty of opportunities at the back for Wigan to capitalize on in this one. Considering that Wigan Athletic has won three consecutive matches now, I've got it winning this game convincingly. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 Wigan.

(#8562) Karolina Muchova | SET SPREAD | . 

Even though I absolutely love Elena Rybakina's game and how she's been able to make everything start clicking here over the past six months, I also believe that Karolina Muchova's playing some of the best tennis of her career right now. She's already gotten a win here on tour in Qatar and now has gotten revenge on Coco Gauff as well as knocked off Elina Svitolina in the Semis of this tournament. Muchova is also fantastic on clay and I'd still consider this surface to be the weakest of the three main one's for Rybakina given her power and placement. That being said, I'm going to take the 'dog to keep this one close and perhaps even pull off the upset on Sunday. 

Burns' Prediction: 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 Muchova.

(#925) Cincinnati Reds | ML | . 

Brady Singer (1-1. 5.60 ERA) vs. Bailey Ober (2-0, 5.49 ERA) . 

While I'm not a huge fan of the Reds, I do believe that this is a good spot for them to complete the sweep on the Twins, especially at this underdog price. Cincinnati will have Brady Singer on the bump. Even though he's got an inflated ERA so far, he's coming off his best start of the campaign & I expect more to come on Sunday. 

Bailey Ober hasn't been punished for his high ERA yet & that definitely could come this afternoon against a hungry & young Reds team. I am not high on Ober whatsoever, considering he posted a 5.10 ERA last year in 27 outings. Not only that, but he was 2-6 with a 5.12 ERA at home a year ago. Now's the time for his first loss of the season. 

Burns' Prediction: 7-4 Reds.

(#910) Philadelphia Phillies | ML | . 

Grant Holmes (1-1, 3.32 ERA) vs. Andrew Painter (1-0, 3.77 ERA) . 

Enough's enough. Both Philadelphia & New York (Mets) have struggled to open up the season and these games are very important, against divisional foes. On Sunday evening, I expect the Phillies to finally lock in and dig deep. Andrew Painter has been great so far. This is a great opportunity to show the baseball world what he's capable of. 

Grant Holmes gets the nod on the other side of things. Don't get me wrong, he's been very strong so far as well. However, Holmes posted an ugly 5.51 ERA in road games last season w/ a 4.74 ERA (1-6 record) in night games. Philadelphia's going to wake up and I've got it doing so right here on SNB. 

Burns' Prediction: 6-3 Phils.

(#920) Seattle Mariners | ML | . 

MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16 ERA) . 

These two teams have split the opening two games of this series and even though I do like MacKenzie Gore's stuff, I like Bryan Woo a lot more. As a matter of fact, I think that Woo could be the most underrated starting pitcher in the big leagues, given his numbers as well as his ability to perform both home & away games. 

Looking at this game, I believe that the Mariners are going to confident considering the at-bats that they got from the bottom part of the order last night. Yes, it's a bit concerning with how some of their top hitters have hit so far. However, it's a long season and they are elite players. Texas lost even more in the offseason with Semien leaving. I know that Nimmo is here now. But, I don't think that Texas is quite the same at all as it was during the World Series campaign a few years ago now. Give me the M's to win the series at home. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 Mariners.

(#907) Los Angeles Dodgers | RL | . 

Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.23 ERA) vs. Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 8.10 ERA) . 

Yes, I lost with the Dodgers at the same price yesterday. However, I just don't think that this line is respectable for the best team in baseball, even despite the loss. I've taken LAD -1.5 in both of the games so far and split. If the Dodgers win this one, I'll come out of the series profitable. Roki Sasaki gets the nod on Sunday & he has a ton to prove. As a matter of fact, there's talks of him moving to the bullpen once again after struggling over his first three starts this season. Michael Lorenzen hasn't been good either though. The Italian pitcher pitched very well in the WBC. But, like Severino, it hasn't translated to the MLB season. I expect LAD to be mad after yesterday. Give me the Dodgers -1.5 on Sunday afternoon. 

Burns' Prediction: 10-3 Dodgers.

(#38) Buffalo Sabres | ATS | . 

I do believe in this Boston Bruins team and expect them to put up a real fight throughout this series. However, in the opening game of the playoffs, with this fanbase getting playoff action for the first time in 15+ years, I believe that we're going to see the fans take over in this hockey game. Boston has been one of the best teams on home ice throughout the season in the NHL. On the road though, not so much, putting up a rather sub-par 16-16-9 record. Buffalo, on the other hand, also plays tremendously at home. The Sabres are starting to grow into this rebuilt new team and the winning from the season should continue on Sunday. The Sabres are also going to want some payback after having lost to Boston in the last meeting in OT on this ice. Give me Buffalo in the opening game of the series, & I'm willing to lay 1.5 goals as I believe that it's going to be a convincing victory to kick things off. 

Burns' Prediction: 5-2 Sabres.

(#585) Philadelphia 76ers | ATS | . 

As good as Boston is, I believe that this line is way too high for this Game 1 matchup between division rivals. Even without Embiid, I'm a fan of this 76ers roster. VJ Edgecombe has been absolutely gigantic during his rookie season & Tyrese Maxey has proven that he can carry a team to wins if need be. Not to mention that Paul George is also one of the most consistent players in the NBA still, with lots of playoff experience. 

Don't get me wrong, the Celtics are definitely favorites to win this series and move on. But, don't be shocked if Philadelphia keeps the series close and makes things interesting. The Sixers did in fact go into the TD Garden and beat the Celtics earlier on this season on opening night. Did you know that teams that are favorites of 10+ points, after beating the spread by 54+ points over its past ten games are just 6-29 ATS since 2017?? - That 6-29 record comes against opponents that have gone under the total by 54+ points over their most recent 10 games. 

Having said all of that, and considering the point spread for this one, it's still difficult to see Philly pulling off the upset in the clutch in a road playoff atmosphere. But, expect the Sixers to at the very least come away with a hard fought single digit loss in this basketball game on Sunday afternoon. 

Burns' Prediction: 112-109 Celtics.

(#201285) AC Milan | 3-WAY ML | . 

The oddsmakers are taking recent form and play into account a bit too much for this contest. I understand that AC Milan is not in good form whatsoever and will be playing this match on the road. But, this is still one of the best clubs in the Serie A and even despite losing to Udinese the way it did, it still dominated the possession and play of the game. Here on Sunday, expect a whole new AC Milan team, with the full week off. Hellas Verona, on the other hand, is also trending in the wrong direction. As a matter of fact, even more-so than AC Milan. Verona has dropped four consecutive contests now and those were all against opponents outside of the current top six (ACM is 3rd.) Having conceded 55 goals in 32 games this season (2nd worst in Serie A,) Verona should be expected to give up a few here. In the reverse fixture back in December, it was a dominant 3-0 win by ACM. Give me AC Milan to dominate again. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 AC Milan.