Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 units

The White Sox have lost eight of their last nine games and two of their last three road games. They aren’t playing well offensively, scoring only eight runs in their last three games. Things won’t get easier for them in this game because Snell has done a great job on the mound in recent starts, giving up one run in his last three starts. He gave up six runs in his last four home starts and will keep Chicago’s offense in check. The Padres have won eight of their last 11 games and three of their last five home games. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Rays have been stumbling down the stretch. They have only won two out of their last six games entering Saturday due to a slumping offense. The offense only managed one run in four out of the six games in that span. The Astros continue to excel and have yet to lose a series all month. Rays’ starter Corey Kluber hasn’t been reliable. The veteran has posted a poor 5.18 ERA this month and the Rays have lost in three out of his last four starts. Meanwhile, Astros' starter Luis Garcia has been dominant, recording a minuscule 1.96 ERA in his four outings this month. 

Rating; 2 Units

The 41-year-old legend Adam Wainwright (11-11, 3.51 ERA) will make the start on Sunday. Against the Pirates this season, Wainwright is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA. At home Wainwright is 7-3 with a 2.61 ERA in 17 games. There is no better team Wainwright could be facing on Sunday, as he is a perfect 7-0 with a 0.55 ERA in his last seven starts against Pittsburgh going back to 2020. 

Rating: 2 Units

We realize the Bills have lost seven straight one-score games, longest current skein in the league. However, we’ll fade Baltimore’s 1-8 ATS mark in games after New England games and instead bank on Sean McDermott’s amazing 11-3 SU and 11-1-2 ATS record in follow-up games after playing to a field goal or less in his last game. 

Rating: 3 Units

Brady has yet to get going because of a cluster injury problem to the Bucs’ offensive line and wide receiver corps. The Buccaneers are getting healthier in those areas. Mike Evans, Brady’s top target, comes off suspension. The Buccaneers are 7-2 ATS following a loss since Brady came on board in 2020.  In addition, the GOAT’s is a stellar 11-1-1 ATS all-time as a home dog

Rating: 3 Units

NFL home teams in Game Two of a three-game home stand, coming off a SU underdog win, are just 6-10-1 ATS versus non-division foes, including 0-3 SUATS when favored by fewer than three points. Toss in the Panthers’ 2-6 ATS record in the second of a three-game home stand and suddenly we’ve got the makings of a wobbly home favorite. To clinch the selections, Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury is 14-4-1 ATS as a road dog during the regular season with the Cardinals, including 7-0 SUATS the last seven games.

AFC Inter-Conference Game of the Month

Rating: 5 Units

Mariota owns nearly twice the career wins (31) than Browns signal caller Jacoby Brissett (16). However, the Hawaiian hurler is 3-10 SU and 2-11 ATS in his NFL career in games when his team is coming off a SU underdog win – including 1-7 SU and 0-8 ATS when not taking three or more points, not to mention 1-6-1 ATS against AFC North opponents. We cap it off with the fact that Atlanta is 0-8  SUATS versus the AFC North since 2014, while Cleveland is 7-0 ATS in its last seven games against the NFC South.

NFL Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

Given the fact the Jags, with their new head coach Doug Pederson, are 0-10 ATS in the second of consecutive away games, they are also 0-4 ATS against the NFC East. On the other side of the coin, Philly is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games against the AFC South. All good numbers in the Eagles’ favor, for sure. To cap all of this off, consider that playing one any NFL non-division home team in Game 4 if not favored by more than 7 points vs. a foe that scored more than 24 points in its last game is 17-3 ATS since 1980.

Rating: 2 Units

Chicago is currently on an impressive streak, as they are 9-1 in their last 10 games played. They are seeing the ball great right now and they have a great matchup in this game. Cincinnati will be starting Hunter Greene on the mound, as I see Chicago teeing off on him. He is currently 4-13 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He is also 2-6 at home this season, as he has continued to struggle in front of his fans. Chicago has also won six games in a row.

Rating: 2 Units

The Braves view this as a must-win game as they look to secure a division title. They have dominated the Marlins, winning 12 of the 16 meetings this season. The Braves earned the sweep in the previous series against the Marlins, outscoring the fish by a 17-3 margin. The Braves have won seven out of their last eight games after sweeping the Mets.  Braves’ starter Bryce Elder has been dominant. The rookie has allowed just one run in his three starts this month spanning a total of 20 innings. He tossed six shutout innings against the fish in that span and has held them to only three runs in 17.2 innings. Marlins’ starter Jesus Luzardo has not fared well against the Braves, conceding nine runs in 13 career innings.

Rating: 2 Units

The 49ers and their mad-genius Coach Kyle Shanahan have now had two weeks to shape the team's game plan back towards an offense featuring Garoppolo at QB. I expect the Niners to feature Samuel more this week against the Rams, primarily on screens. In the playoff game against the Rams last season, Samuel ran for 45 yards and caught six passes for 95 yards.