Matt Fargo – Sports Handicapper

This is a play on the COLORADO ROCKIES for our N.L. West Game of the Month. Colorado has lost five straight games to fall to 3-9 on the season and while it looks to avoid the series sweep against the Dodgers, the Rockies have a much better pitching matchup at a great price. The Dodgers have won five games in a row and their 10-2 record is the best in baseball which should not come as much of a surprise. They are the only undefeated home team in MLB but they are paying the price. Austin Gomber is 0-2 but has pitched well with a 2.89 ERA and is coming off a quality start in his last outing. Julio Urias has pitched similar with a 2.84 ERA and is now priced at his highest of the season. Here, we play against National League teams with a team batting average of .275 or better on the season, with a slugging percentage of .480 or better over their last 10 games. This situation is 35-14 (71.4 percent) over the last five seasons. 10* (959) Colorado Rockies

This is a play on the CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS for our NHL Thursday Breakaway. Chicago has won two straight games following a 1-3 slide and it remains four points behind Nashville for the fourth spot in the NHL Central Division. The Blackhawks are 4-0 in their last four games as a road favorite. Detroit is coming off a pair of huge upset wins over Carolina as +288 and +309 underdogs which puts it in a great go against situation here. The Red wings are 9-9-4 at home so there is no big edge here especially coming off two straight home losses prior to those upset victories. The Red Wings are 5-15 in their last 20 games following a win. Here, we play against teams against the money line with a winning percentage between .300 and .400 off a road win against a division rival, playing a team with a losing record in the second half of the season. This situation is 41-14 (74.5 percent) since 1996. 10* (59) Chicago Blackhawks