Sports Handicapper William Burns's Picks & Predictions

(#28) Dallas Stars | ML | . 

In the season series, Minnesota found success at home. However, the same cannot be said when the games were played here in Dallas. The Stars took both encounters on this ice and seem to be in a groove at the moment, off five consecutive wins. Even though the Wild might have the more complete team, home ice advantage is real in the playoffs and I just don't see how Minnesota steals the first game of this series without playing the best that it has all season. Dallas is well rested and has been as good as any here this season. Mikko Rantanen is a playoff killer and I'll take Jake Oettinger against either one of the Minnesota net-minders. Go Stars in Game 1. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-2 Stars.

(#24530) Thiago Moises | ML | . 

Even as an underdog, I believe that Thiago Moises is the right pick here. He's an experienced fighter, who's fought the best of the best in the Lightweight Division. Not only that. But, he's also had success against some of them. I know that he's coming off a knockout loss in his last fight. But, he's more than capable of adjusting and bouncing back from a loss. I expect him to be much more careful with the young 25yr old in this one and lean on his ground game much more than he did in that previous fight. Gauge Young has the intangibles that UFC fans get excited for, especially for a young fighter like this. He just hasn't impressed me so far. He lost in both his UFC debut as well as on the Contender Series and despite picking up a win in his last fight, I just wasn't that impressed with a 29-28 decision over a guy that isn't that good. Give me the underdog here, as this is tremendous value and the better overall fighter currently. 

Burns' Prediction: Moises via. 2nd Round Sub.

(#964) Athletics | ML | . 

Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. Luis Severino (0-2, 5.59 ERA) . 

Yesterday, I was scared off of the A's with Davis Martin on the bump for the White Sox. Well what do you know. Martin was excellent once again and it was a good thing that I stayed off. However, today, I believe that this is the perfect time to get back on the Athletics. Erick Fedde's numbers show that even though he's been solid, Chicago hasn't been able to hit for him when he's been on the mound. I expect that to continue on Saturday. Severino was excellent for the Dominican in the WBC. But, he hasn't been able to carry the momentum into the MLB season. That being said, I expect him to have a really good start this weekend. At home, give me the A's to respond. 

Burns' Prediction: 7-3 A's.

(#959) Los Angeles Dodgers | RL | . 

Emmet Sheehan (2-2, 6.60 ERA) vs. Ryan Feltner (1-1, 7.30 ERA) .

Last night, I also had the Dodgers -1.5. I know that these lines are expensive on LA at the moment, especially in a series vs. the worst team in the division. However, these lines are more than worth playing. Emmet Sheehan knows that it must be better. He's coming off a great year last season. But, his numbers so far this year are not impressive. If he's going to want to hold a key role in the rotation once Snell comes back, he's going to need to wake up and he knows it. Feltner's been even worse though. I don't see how he improves his numbers here today either, considering the dominance of this LAD lineup. Playing in Colorado, the ball is going to continue to fly all night long. Give me LAD -1.5 for the second consecutive night. 

Burns' Prediction: 9-3 Dodgers.

(#951) New York Mets | ML | . 

Freddy Peralta (1-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Jameson Taillon (0-1, 4.86 ERA) . 

It's been a horrendous run of games for the Mets, who have now lost nine consecutive games. I know that it's still early in the season. But, there must be some sort of urgency from everyone in the clubhouse to get this thing back in the right direction. Yes, having no Soto at the moment doesn't help. But, the way I see it, the Mets are definitely good enough to break this slump and win some games even without their outfield superstar. Taillon hasn't been great so far and I expect even better from what we've seen from Peralta so far. The Cubs are really solid. But, after losing Tucker and replacing him with Bregman and some other young pieces, the team isn't exactly all that scary quite yet. Give me the Mets to break the slump on Saturday and celebrate for the first time in over a week. 

Burns' Prediction: 7-3 Mets.

(#209889) Houston Dynamo @ (#209890) Orlando City SC | OVER | . 

This should be an electrifying matchup on Saturday evening in Orlando. I know that the home side has struggled as much as any team has so far during the season through seven match weeks. But, this is a chance for Orlando to finally start clicking again. Houston hasn't done much damage offensively this season. But, it's also struggled defensively, allowing seven goals over its past two games. The Dynamo did just win in the US Open Cup by a score of 4-1 which should give lots of excitement for this game too. Orlando has only scored six goals. But, two of those came against a top Inter Miami team. Orlando has also allowed 24 goals, which is the most by any team in the MLS (by a large margin - 4 goals.) Expect tons of goals to fly left right and center in this match on Saturday evening. 

Burns' Prediction: 3-2 Orlando.

(#208245) Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas | 3-WAY ML | . 

Even though Botafogo hasn't been nearly as strong as it has been in the past, and prior to the FIFA Club World Cup, it's still got the players and the experience to beat the best teams in Brazil and in North/South America. I believe that it's only a matter of time before the turnaround commences for this club once again. 

Chapecoense is much more far down the standings. As a matter of fact, it's sitting in 19th, which is second last and in the relegation zone. With three defeats over its past four games, and being outscored by 9-1 in those games, I don't think that it has a chance in this match, even at home. Give me Botafogo at this price. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 Botafogo.

(#26) Carolina Hurricanes | ML | . 

While the Sens did an excellent job of navigating through tough positions throughout the season, especially late with everything on the line, I do not think that they'll be ready for this hockey game, yet alone series. Ottawa lost twice in three games against Carolina during the season, including a loss here at this stadium in Raleigh. Don't get me wrong, Ottawa's been fantastic down the stretch. I just don't think that it's on the same level as the Canes. 

Talking about Carolina, it's very well rested for this series having stopped playing its best guys over the past week or so. In some sports, that can take players out of rhythm. But, in a gruelling hockey season, I believe that the rest is needed at times for these players to keep them refreshed for when they need it most. Even without some of their best players, the Hurricanes have dominated. Kochetkov is back. Whoever they put in net, expect a big time performance. I've got the Canes in game one. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 Hurricanes.