Sports Handicapper William Burns's Picks & Predictions

(#911) Toronto Blue Jays | ML | . 

Eric Lauer (1-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Davis Martin (1-0, 5.40 ERA) . 

It's been a really poor start for last season's AL representative in the World Series. I mean, it doesn't help that the pitchers are dropping like flies from last year's squad. But, this is a team that should be more than capable of doing damage once again this year and I expect the Blue Jays to snap out of it here on Sunday. Eric Lauer's been a really solid addition to the team since he was traded from the Brewers. In 15 starts and 28 appearances a year ago, Lauer had an excellent 3.18 ERA & a 1.11 WHIP. He was also great in his first start this year punching out nine in 5.1 innings. Don't get me wrong, Davis Martin has improved every season in the MLB so far. But, he wasn't great in his first start and he's pitching for one of the youngest teams in the big leagues with very little experience at the plate. I think that Lauer can out-pitch Martin on Sunday and that the Blue Jays will be much better offensively. Expect Toronto to avoid the sweep. 

Burns' Prediction: 5-2 Blue Jays.

(#11) Washington Capitals | ML | . 

Although Washington is the only team travelling in this situation, I absolutely love that NYR won yesterday's game against the Red Wings for WSH's case today. As a matter of fact, the Rangers have been horrific at home this season, with a 13-19-7 record and I don't see that changing with only a few games remaining this year. 

Washington's battling for its life in the Eastern Conference playoff race, now only one point back after yesterday. The Capitals really benefited from a bunch of results on Saturday and I expect Ovi and the Caps to keep the winning streak going here. Washington's also beaten NYR in five of the past six matchups. Hammer the Capitals and last year's Eastern Conference #1 seed. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-2 Capitals.

(#203217) Olympique Lyonnais | 3-WAY ML | . 

While Angers is down in 12th place in the Ligue 1, Lyon is up in 5th and battling for the best possible spot in a European competition for next season. I believe that this is a great chance for Olympique Lyonnais to possibly climb the table, especially with Marseille/Monaco battling things out this afternoon. 

Looking at this matchup a bit more, Angers has a -13 goal differential this season. It's also not in good form whatsoever, having lost consecutive contests and allowing seven total goals in those games. Lyon, on the other hand, will need to be careful this game having picked up a red card in B2B matches. I think that Endrick could be the best player on the pitch in this one and I expect him to help carry Lyon to a much needed three points. 

Burns' Prediction: 2-0 Lyon.

(#921) Baltimore Orioles | ML | . 

Chris Bassitt (0-1, 8.31 ERA) vs. Braxton Ashcraft (0-1, 3.00 ERA) . 

I know that Bassitt struggled in his opening start of the campaign. But, this is a very long year and he's got plenty of time to make it up. That being said, I expect him to make some of it up right here on Sunday. This is an opponent that Bassitt has dominated throughout his career with a 4-1 record & a 2.27 ERA in six starts against them. 

Pittsburgh, the opponent today, has shown much more offensive success this season than what we saw last year. I know that the Pirates are off to a great start and have won four consecutive games. But, I'm not completely sold on Braxton Ashcraft quite yet. He was a bullpen arm for the majority of his rookie year and although he posted great numbers, he walked four batters in his first game this year. The O's lineup should be composed and ready to pounce against a young starter here today. Give me the Orioles. 

Burns' Prediction: 7-3 Orioles.

(#915) Seattle Mariners | ML | . 

Luis Castillo (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Ryan Johnson (0-1, 16.20 ERA) . 

I know that the Mariners haven't been hitting the ball too well this season and I know that Cal Raleigh is really struggling to get anything going. However, this is a chance for Seattle to finally start doing damage. Ryan Johnson was not good whatsoever in his first start of the year, allowing 11 baserunners in only 3.1 innings of work. Johnson gave up six runs in that game too in a loss to the Cubs. 

On the other hand, the Angels will have to go up against Luis Castillo. The Dominican born starter has been one of the most consistently strong starting pitchers in the big leagues over the past decade and is off to a tremendous start this season. Castillo had seven K's while allowing two hits and no runs in 6.0 innings vs. NYY. This is a much easier matchup on Sunday. 

Entering the weekend (before Sat's game,) Los Angeles owned the worst BAA in the big leagues, averaging .186 as a team at the plate. While the pitching has been solid, the Angels have given up a ton of baserunners and the runs are bound to start showing up on their stat cards soon. I like Seattle big here this afternoon. 

Burns' Prediction: 6-2 Mariners.

(#507) Toronto Raptors @ (#508) Boston Celtics | UNDER | . 

Even though the Raptors shoot a high percentage from the field, I believe that they are going to have a tougher time in this contest on the road against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Toronto isn't the best three point shooting team either. That makes things difficult in games like this as underdogs. 

Boston shoots a lot of threes, and even though a lot of them seem to go in, a lot miss as well. The Celtics play at the slowest pace in the NBA, dead last in the league in offensive possessions per game (only team with less than 100.) They will slow this game down and play to their strengths. I don't see Toronto getting more than 105 tonight, and wouldn't be shocked if it was held below 100. Give me the "under." 

Burns' Prediction: 109-100 Celtics.