Jim Feist – Sports Handicapper

This best of seven Eastern conference finals tied at 2-games each as the series moves back to Milwaukee tonight for game 3. The bad news here is that the Raptors star player Kawhi Leonard is dealing with an injury. Moreover, Kyle Lowry has also been nursing injuries and these are the two guys directly responsible for this series being tied right now. Leonard is dealing with leg soreness and has to play through the pain right now. Lowry is also playing in pain, but looks to be improving. The issue is that the Raptors have lost and failed to cover games 1 and 2 in Milwaukee. The Bucks have been amazing, covering six of their last eight and 10 of their last 13 games. The Raptors at 100% would have trouble playing in Milwaukee tonight, but with their two stars hobbled even a little bit by injuries, this will just put them even further in the hole. I'm taking Milwaukee.

Philadelphia looks to snap their modest 2-game losing streak today as they face their Chicago Cubs. The Phillies are 28-21 and will turn to Aaron Nola today. Nola is 4-0 in his 10 starts with a 4.47 ERA and 1.548 WHIP. Nola has pitched well of late, allowing just one run in each of four of five recent starts. The Cubs have a 2-game win streak heading into this game. Veteran Jon Lester will toe the rubber today. Lester is 3-2 in his eight starts with a 2.09 ERA and 1.256 WHIP. Lester had been brilliant until his last start where he was roughed-up for 10 hits and five runs over 4 1/3 innings by the Nationals. I look for Lester to rebound here today and get us the WIN! Play the Cubs.

This matchup was postponed from yesterday, so both pitchers got an extra day rest for this game. The first place Minnesota Twins bring a 2-game win streak into today's contest at the Angels. The Twins took last Tuesday's contest with LA, 8-3 and have taken the first two of this series. The Twins start Martin Perez tonight. Perez is 5-1 in his seven starts and has been amazing this season with a 2.01 ERA and 1.052 WHIP. Perez has allowed just four total earned runs over his last four starts (26 2/3 innings). The Angels continue to struggle, losing three straight and six of their last nine games. They will turn to veteran Matt Harvey tonight. Harvey has also struggled this year, posting a 2-3 record with a lofty 6.35 ERA and 1.434 WHIP. No contest for me here tonight. The first place Twins with a very good pitcher on the hill against a struggling Angels and Harvey. I'm all over the Twins tonight.

 Cleveland looks to get back to winning today after being swept by the Oakland A's on their home field. The Indians will turn to second time starter Adam Plutko today. Plutko hopes he can duplicate his first and only start, where he allowed just one hit and one run in his win over the Baltimore Orioles. Meanwhile, the Rays split their two-game IL series with the Dodgers, losing game one and taking yesterday's contest. The Rays will start Blake Snell. Snell is just 3-4 on the season, but has a nice 3.31 ERA and 1.000 WHIP. Tampa Bay is 2-7 O/U in their last nine road games and 8-22-2 O/U/P in their last 31 road games vs a team with a winning record. The Indians are now 7-20-1 O/U/P in their last 28 overall games and 0-7 O/U their last seven times that Plutko has started. These teams are 2-7-1 O/U/P in their last 10 meetings and I look for another under here with two quality hurlers on the mound. Play UNDER.

Colorado took game one of this series on Wednesday, 9-3. The Rockies win snapped a four-game losing streak as the Rocks improved to 22-25 on the season. The Rockies will start Antonio Senzatela here this morning. Senzatela has a 3-3 record in his seven starts with a 4.89 ERA and 1.448 WHIP. Pittsburgh will counter with Jordan Lyles who is 4-1 in his eight starts. The Pirates are 7-1 when Lyles has started this season. Lyles has a nifty 1.97 ERA with a 1.051 WHIP. In addition, Lyles has allowed just three total runs over his last three starts (19 2/3 innings). I like Lyles a lot here today as the Bucs win when he starts. Play Pittsburgh.