I'm playing on SJ. The Ducks blanked the Sharks 4-0 on Monday. Don't expect it to happen again. While the Sharks are 7-3 after scoring one goal or less in their previous game, the Ducks are 0-3, after shutting out their opponent. They're 2-6 their last eight in that situation. The Sharks have been far more competitive overall than the Ducks this season. Importantly, they're much healthier than Anaheim at the moment, as the Ducks are dealing with numerous injuries. Anaheim's goalie Anthony Stolarz "stood on his head" on Monday, as he made 46 saves in earning the shutout. (SJ had a 46-21 edge in shots.) Gibson is expected to be between the pipes tonight though and they won't be able to count on a similar performance. Payback time. 

I'm playing on TAMPA. Fleming will be happy to be recalled to get his well-deserved shot at this season's rotation. Remember, all he did was go 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in seven outtings (5 starts) last season. Then, this spring, he posted a 0.00 ERA in 8 2/3 innings. In those four spring appearances, he had a dominant 0.46 WHIP, opposing hitters batting just .108. He only gave up three hits (0 HRs) while striking out eight against one walk. Arihara has a 5.00 ERA. Having gone five or less innings in both starts, note that he'll be supported by a Texas bullpen which currently has a combined 9.00 ERA and 1.85 WHIP on the road this season. Fleming, meanwhile, will be backed by a TB bullpen which has a 4.09 ERA and 1.36 WHIP at home. Texas 10-32 its last 42 road games with an O/U line of 8 or 8.5. Tampa 50-25 its last 75 at home, with an O/U line of 8 or 8.5. Rays respond. 

I'm playing on Dallas/Memphis OVER the total. The Mavs have played some stingy teams of late. Teams like Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Utah. Those three teams all rank in the top five in the NBA, in terms of opposing team's fg percentage and they've been three of the Mavs' past five opponents. Facing Memphis will allow them to get their offense rolling again. Not the stingy team they were in years past, the Grizzlies allow 116.8 ppg their last five games, while allowing opposing teams to connect on 47.8% of their field goals. Those five games are averaging a whopping 238 combined points. While Dallas division games average "only" 225 points, Memphis divisional games are averaging a healthy 229.9. I don't see much defense being played in this one. Look for the final combined score to prove higher than many will be expecting. 

I'm playing on MINNESOTA. Time change due to the protests. Assuming that doesn't stop the game from being played, that means we get some afternoon basketball. Either way, I was going to like the setup for the T-Wolves. We're getting some extra value due to the fact that the played yesterday. However, yesterday's game was a blowout loss where Towns didn't play. Towns is the "straw that stirs the drink" for this team and he should be back and good to go tonight. (Yesterday was the 1-year anniversary of his mother's passing and he attended a memorial in her honor.) So, I'm not bothered by the fact that they played yesterday. It should also be noted that the last time that the Wolves played the second of b2b games, they went on the road, at Philly, and stayed within single digits, as 14 point underdogs. Also, it was exactly one month ago when they beat Portland outright here, when playing the second of b2b games. As for the Bucks, they play at Atlanta tomorrow. Wihile he did return to practice yesterday, with Giannis still a bit banged up, its not out of the question that they save him for that game. Either way, this is a tough spot. That game at Atlanta tomorrow will be the final game of a 3-game road trip. However, if you consider that the Bucks only played one home game, prior to that trip, and that was preceded by six road games out West, I feel that the Bucks could well be getting road weary. Yesterday notwithstanding, the Wolves have been far more competitive lately. Expect them to give the Bucks all they can handle this afternoon. 

I'm playing on HOUSTON. The Astros need to get back on track and this is the perfect matchup for them to do so. McCullers has a stellar 1.80 ERA through his first two starts. Keep in mind that McCullers was 0-3 with a 7.33 ERA on the road last season but 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA at home! Fulmer is getting the start due to Teheran being hurt. While he's pitched fairly well in relief thus far, this is his first start. Lets not forget that he had an awful 8.78 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 10 starts last season. In five road starts, he had a 12.15 ERA and 2.48 WHIP. Opposing batters hit .438 in those games. Yikes. Astros roll. 

I'm playing on MINNESOTA. The Red Sox are rolling right now but I expect Maeda and the Twins to cool them off this afternoon. Maeda has a 2.61 ERA thus far and he's coming off a 2020 where he went 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA and dominant 0.75 WHIP. This is Maeda's first home start of the season. Thats noteworthy as he was solid on the road last year but dominant at home. In five regular season home starts, he was 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA and a microscopic 0.55 WHIP. The Twins won all five of those games. In fact, Maeda's teams (Minnesota and LA) are a perfect 8-0 his last eight regular season home starts. Eovaldi has certainly pitched well. However, unlike Maeda, both of his starts have come at home. Now, he pitches on the road for the first time this season. Why is that significant? Last season, he had a 2.00 ERA at home but a 4.75 ERA on the road. Twins bounce back.

I'm playing on NY/Toronto OVER the total. Yesterday's game snuck over the number with 10 runs. I expect even more runs this afternoon. Yesterday, the Jays had Ryu on the mound and he was really sharp. Today, however, its Stripling. Not only is Stripling 0-3 vs the Yankees, but he's already got an ugly 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP on the season. He had a 6.32 ERA and 1.60 WHIP last season, too. Kluber has also struggled as he has a 5.68 ERA. That could be even higher too, as evidenced by his horrible 2.37 WHIP. The former Cy Young winner doesn't throw as hard as he once did and he's giving up a lot of baserunners. Now, the Jays see him for the second time in less than two weeks. The OVER is now 6-1 the last seven Toronto "home" games when the Jays faced a right-handed starters. Expect some fireworks, as those stats improve in Dunedin this afternoon. 

I'm playing on WINNIPEG. The Sens beat the Jets 4-2 on Monday. Don't expect it to happen again. Ottawa is 0-5 off a win by two or more goals. Going back further finds the Sens at a dismal 8-31 their last 39 in that situation. The Jets, meanwhile, are 6-2 (+4.6) off a loss of two or more goals. They're also 8-3 (+6.2) after allowing four or more in their previous game. Additionally, they're 11-4 (+8.3) in the revenge role. Note that the Sens are an ugly 18-45 (-20.4) during that span, after scoring four or more. The Jets can't afford another loss to the Sens. Not with the Leafs waiting for them tomorrow. Expect them to bounce back and get some payback.