The GOAT might have his best offensive season ever, he loves Dodgers Stadium (7 HR in 87 ABs, and is killing righties (1.259 OPS) and has 4 HRs off Montas in 24 career ABs. Sold.

Ohtani mashes against everybody, but Montas seems to hold a special place in his heart, with 11 career RBI vs him in 24 ABs. Rest of Dodgers lineup is loaded. Won't be able to pitch around him. Let's go

Muncy continues to get slept on and we continue to back him. He's hit tis in two straight games and as 13 driven in during the last 15 games and 28 on the season. Hitting in a prime spot in a dominant lineup, destroys righties (especially mediocre ones) and has 3 hits in 4 career ABs vs this starter. Continues to come up in spots with men on base needing only a sac fly or a well placed ground ball to the right side to score runs. Opposing defenses always playing to take away the big inning. Doesn't need stud ABs to run produce.

Dodgers are pushing for best record in ball, and Reds are in a freefall, 3-12 in their last 15. Yeah they won at Chavez Ravine Thurs night vs an ace, but the Dodgers splits against Montas are monstrous and I don't see the lumber laying low tonight. Dodgers back Paxton well, they rake at home, and they have the best run differential in ball. If Dodgers keep Elly off base even a little, Reds offense fizzles. Bounce back spot for Dodgers

I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks closed it out here. They are gritty and gutty and have been the better team finding ways to win close games in this series. Of course, the last game in IND was a blowout win for the Pacers, with Brunson scoring just 18 points. I just don't see that happening again, and the Knicks are the more physical team and they are better at the little things. NYK getting 55% of rebounds (big margin) and getting to line 7 times more than Pacers/Game. Pacers are just 17-16-1 ATS as home favorite. I see this coming down to the last few possessions, where Brunson's elite shot-making and ability to draw fouls could be the difference.

Are the Pacers a superior team the likes of which they just can't lost at home? I know they haven't yet this postseason, but given their defensive issues, their streaky shooting, their inability to prevent the Knicks from dominating the offensive boards, Halliburton's erratic play and the fact the best player in this series plays for NYK (Brunson), I could definitely see NY closing this out on the road. The extra day of rest, coming off a win, huge for NYK. I like what McBride and Burks are providing and if Hartenstein rules the boards again (I think he will), too many second-chance points for the Knicks. The lack of a true go-to finisher could be the difference here.

The little engine that could might be running out of steam and the A's are running low on starting pitching and the Royals seem to be catching them at just he right time here. They are 2-10 in their last 12 (since mauling Miami, 20-4) and 8 of those losses have come by 2+ runs. Cole Ragans has come back to earth in a big way, but the A's are a combined 0-17 vs him with 1 walk, so I'm going to lean into that here. The Royals have plenty of warts (need another bat and pen arm for sure) but beat up on lesser teams (19-8 vs sub .500 clubs) and 15-8 at home. A's stellar pen has seen a lot of use

The Bravos are being overshadowed by the Dodgers and Phils but are playing winning ball and beating the teams they are supposed to beat. Max Fried has been great since the Strider injury, I like him to shove vs his former team, and the Padres are 27th in MLB in OBS vs lefties (.615, gulp). SD is 1-7 when Waldron starts and 6 of those 7 losses are by 3 runs or more. He's allowed 13 ER in his last 3 starts, spanning all of 14 1/3 IP. Could be a good weekend for Braves bats to heat up

The Jays were lucky not to get swept by the O's, they still can't hit, Springer is a mess in RF, and a line-up killer leading off, and the manager acts like a guy who knows he is on the precipice of being fired (because he is). And if the Rays sweep here like I think they will, the skipper will get canned. That's not bringing out the best in his bunch of misfits who don't seem to like playing together all that much. Rays are quietly getting hot (9-4 in last 13) and starting to hit (Josh Lowe's return is huge) , and the Chris Bassitt is ripe to get beat around here. Jays pen has some big holes, too

The Nats have played over their heads this season but regression has set in with their lineup and I expect it to hit their starting staff soon enough, too, starting with people like Jake Irvin. Nats 2-5 in last 7 scoring 21 total runs and are 1-4 in last 5 scoring 10 runs. Wheeler struggled vs Nats last year but still beat them twice and it's not just who you play, but when you play them. Phils are great at home, took 2 of 3 from WSH already this season, winning both by 3 runs or more.

Newsflash: Gobert can't come close to containing Jokic and I'd be shocked if they decided to truly sellout to doubling him now. So does that mean more KAT on him? That's fine I think The Joker can take him off the dribble and to the rim. They can't collapse on him with Gordon and Murray and Porter shooting so well. This is a close-out game for me, and Jokic has another 30 in him knowing the importance of getting some RnR before the WCF. I see him taking matters into his own hands quite a bit and going to the line quite a bit

The Nuggets I expected to see all along in playoffs have finally materialized, and the young Wolves are on the ropes. Momentum is fleeting and the longer this series goes the more Murray not being banned from Game 3 looms large. Denver has found its bench and honed its rotations while the Wolves suddenly are looking for answers. I don't think the pressure and scrutiny will bring out the best in KAT and Gobert and now MIN is the frustrated team. They can't stop The Joker and he can take this game over himself, knowing the import of extra rest before the WCF. MIN needed to keep this a low scoring series, but Nugs cracked the code, scoring 112, 115, 117 in 3 wins.

Jones doesnt have quite the strikeout numbers the last few times out, but he has been great. Steele is coming back from a long absence and I haven't loved what I've seen. If Jones can stay away from Bellinger's barrel I see a nice opportunity to make some plus money here.

The Phils lineup is rockn and rolling and this version of Quintana isn't nearly as sharp as years past and I love the way Philly is playing at home (16-7). They have won 8 of 10 and their +72 run differential is second in the NL. The are getting plenty of shots in on the Mets bullpen in this series already. Walker hasn't been special for the Phils but they've won all 3 of his starts. Phillies have the 2nd best OBP vs lefties and Quintana has been getting into trouble allowing too many men to reach base. He's allowed 12 ER in 2 starts this month (7 2/3 IP)