Sports Handicapper William Burns's Picks & Predictions

(#527) Los Angeles Clippers | ATS | . 

As the regular season concludes this weekend, there's only two remaining games for everyone. Just one game separates these two sides for a chance to play just one play-in game instead of having to win twice to get it. Having said that, this game is absolutely massive. With a win here, LAC can clinch the #8 seed and be en-route to Phoenix after Saturday's game at home. If the Clips were to lose this one, everything would come down to what happens on Saturday. Portland's been great this year despite the injury woes. However, the Blazers still don't have that main piece to be their superstar with Dame still out and Simons gone. I believe that Kawhi is going to be the difference in this one, being the best player on the court and willing his team to victory. Grab the points. 

Burns' Prediction: 109-102 Clippers.

(#503) Detroit Pistons @ (#504) Charlotte Hornets | UNDER | . 

Because of the stakes of this game for Charlotte, it's the favorite in this evening's game. I still believe that the Pistons are going to try and play as well as they can because who wouldn't. But, I'm all over the "under" in this contest. When these two teams played in December, the total was 234.5 in a game that ended 112-86. In the February meeting, the line dropped significantly, down to 221.5 and the final was 110-104. Even though I don't always love playing on the thing that's been occurring throughout the year always, this is a case where both teams play shutdown defense and should be in for another one of those games on Friday. Charlotte's gone six straight contests allowing less than 115 points and I'm hammering the "under" this evening. 

Burns' Prediction: 109-102 Hornets.

(#980) Los Angeles Dodgers | RL | . 

Kumar Rocker (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 3.00 ERA) . 

Although Rocker wasn't terrible in his first outing, he got credited with a loss as the Rangers failed to score in a 2-0 loss against Cincinnati in that game. This time around, I expect him to have a difficult time getting the bulk of the Dodgers lineup out. This is one of the most stacked teams up and down the roster that you'll ever come across and they are coming off a loss. 

Los Ángeles will turn to Tyler Glasnow on Friday. He's allowed a pair of runs in each of his first two starts. But, both of those games resulted in wins. Considering that there's room for improvement and he's already getting wins, I believe that this game could get ugly and ugly real fast. I'll lay the run and a half on the Dodgers today. 

Burns' Prediction: 8-3 Dodgers.

(#975) Chicago White Sox @ (#974) Kansas City Royals | UNDER | . 

Davis Martin (2-0, 2.46 ERA) vs. Kris Bubic (1-1, 4.09 ERA) . 

I've been very impressed with what I've seen from Davis Martin so far and even though I like the Royals to win this game, I do think that Martin is going to make it hard for KC to score many runs once again. He's slowly improved each and every season so far in the big leagues and definitely could take another step forward this year if he continues this pace. Considering the Royals only scored seven runs in the series vs. Cleveland to begin this week, and got shutout yesterday, they'll likely have trouble again today. Bubic has been a top arm in the AL over the past couple of years and that shouldn't stop this year. He owned a tremendous 2.55 ERA last season and perhaps could even match that this year. He's faced CWS 11 times over his career so far and despite the 1-4 record against them, he owns a 2.30 ERA and that includes going seven strong shutout innings against them last year. Give me the "under" here on Friday. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-2 Royals.

(#968) Detroit Tigers | ML | . 

Chris Paddack (0-1, 8.31 ERA) vs. Keider Montero (0-1. 4.15 ERA) . 

It's been a horrendous beginning to the season for Detroit and I definitely am one that can say that I didn't see this coming considering the schedule. Having said that, it's time to turn things around. Still expected to win the division, the Tigers will get to go up against Chris Paddack on Friday. He's been quite poor so far this season & his numbers throughout his career have been nothing special either. As a matter of fact, over the past three seasons, he's had an ERA of 4.99 or worse in all of them. That should motivate a Tigers team that badly needs to get back on track. 

For Detroit, Keider Montero will get the nod. He pitched for the WBC Champs Venezuela during Spring Training and although he hasn't been unbelievable so far, he's been solid. Montero owns a 0.92 WHIP through two games which is very nice to see. He also faced the Marlins last year and allowed no runs in 5.0 innings and I expect him to have another strong outing on Friday. Give me the Tigers on Friday as my MLB GAME OF THE MONTH in April. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 Tigers.