Ben Burns Sports Picks & Handicapper Review

While I like the Mariners' chances of winning this one 'outright,' I like them even better when getting an extra +1.5 runs. Leblanc faced the Twins twice last season. He was great in both outings, his team winning each by one run. Leblanc allowed just two runs through 12 combined innings, on only seven total hits. On the other hand, Barrios lost both his 2018 starts vs. Seattle. He also went 12 combined innings. However, he gave up seven runs. Note, too, that Barrios got rocked last time out, giving up 12 hits (2 HRs) while also walking three. The Twins are just 9-16 (-7.6) vs. the money-line, the past 25 times that they were off four or more consecutive wins. Consider Seattle on the run-line. (+1.5 runs.)

$89,000 IN HOOPS ~ $75,000 IN MLB ~ 19-6 L25 TOP PLAYS!

WHITE HOT Ben Burns won yet again Friday. The 3-1 card gives him a 26-11 RECORD over the L9 days, a 19-6 mark with top-rated bets. He's an AWESOME 129-76 since April 1st! While his short-term stats are AMAZING, insiders know that it's Ben's long-term success with top-rated plays which really separates him from the crowd. Top-rated hoops have produced $89K IN PROFITS! Top-rated MLB has generated $75K IN PROFITS. HUGE weekend gets started EARLY. Make sure you're on board!

*Not included in the above stats is a 12-3 RECORD with this month's free plays!

I'm playing DETROIT on the run-line (+1.5 runs) I like and expect the Tigers to win this one outright. However, in what could be a close game, I'm happy to grab the extra +1.5 runs. Boyd has a stellar 2.49 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in four daytime starts this season. Opposing batters are hitting a mere .187 against him in those games. Mengden, on the other hand, has only made one 2019 start and he's got a poor 6.75 ERA to show from it. Note that Mengden's lone career start vs. the Tigers resulted in a 1-run win. Overall, the A's are 7-10 in day games while the Tigers are 13-9 (+7.3). Expect AT LEAST a 'run-line cover' for the Tigers in this one.

I'm playing on PORTLAND. The Warriors have treated me well since Durant went down. I won with them in their Game 6 close-out victory at Houston. (I also won with them in Game 1 of this series. Last game, I won with the total and didn't play the side.) Tonight, however, I expect Durant's absence to finally catch up with them. The Blazers have been a very resilient team these entire playoffs and they're not going to go down without a fight. With the Game 2 cover, the Blazers are 3-0 ATS when trailing in these playoffs. They're also 33-23 ATS (45-11 SU) when they were favored. Additionally, they're 5-1 SU/ATS off two or more consecutive road lossses. While the Warriors are a very solid 31-16 on the road, the Blazers are an even better 37-10 here at home. They beat the Warriors by 22 points the last meeting here. Expect them to play with desperation and for them to finish on top once again.

I'm playing on Chicago/Washington UNDER the total. Yesterday's Scherzer/Hamels matchup wasn't quite the pitcher's duel which some might have imagined. However, I expect fans of good pitching to be in for a treat with today's Lester/Strasburgh showdown. Lester has a 0.00 ERA in two May starts and a 0.36 ERA since coming off the DL. During that span, he's got a 25/2 K/W ratio. Strasburg allowed two runs in six innings at LA in his last start. His last home start saw him allow one run through seven complete innings. His last three starts have all finished with six or fewer combined runs. Look for runs to be at a premium, the final combined scoring again staying below the total. 

I'm playing on PHILADELPHIA. The Phillies are a dominant 31-12 (+10.4) the past 43 times that they were listed as home favorites of -150 or greater. With a significant advantage on the mound, they'll improve on those stats Saturday afternoon. These same two starters opposed each other on 4/20, at Colorado. Nola and the Phillies won 8-5. In fact, the Phillies are 3-0 all-time in Nola's starts against the Rockies. He's allowed three earned runs or less in all three starts, a total of just six in 19 1/3 innings. Over that span, Nola had 26 K's vs. two walks. Nola has a 3.07 ERA his last three starts, the Phillies winning all three. Remember, Nola was 10-2 with a 2.34 ERA here last season, too. On the other hand, Senzatela has a 7.04 ERA his last three. With Nola getting the better of Senzatela, expect the Phillies to improve to 10-4 in day games.