Scott Rickenbach Free Sports Picks & Handicapper Review

Total Annihilation - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #42 Thursday 8* UNDER the total in New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - The Rangers are expected to start Alexandar Georgiev in the first game of this back to back situation. The New York netminder, unlike Henrik Lundqvist, was great in his first start this season. He'll be facing a Devils team that is desperate to get into the win column. New Jersey is the only NHL team that has yet to taste victory this season. That said, I am looking for the Devils to play very well in their own zone here and for this to be a tight divisional battle. Considering this total is a 6.5, that means we're getting excellent line value with the under in this match-up! I am aware of the fact this series has a recent history of high-scoring games but this one is all about the situation. The Rangers are off a 4-1 loss to the Oilers on Saturday and are certainly looking to clean things up in their own zone. The Devils have had issues with too many goals allowed as well but, like New York, they also come into this game well-rested and ready for a divisional battle that will have an emphasis on limiting opponents scoring chances. When the Devils are playing a home game with a total of 6 goals or more, only 40 of the last 106 games have resulted in an over. Look for a fierce divisional battle here with a 3-2 type of game the ultimate result. 8* UNDER the total in New Jersey 

Total Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #919 Thursday 8* OVER the total in New York Yankees vs Houston Astros @ 8:08 ET - With Greinke throwing a quality start in Game 1 of this series and Tanaka absolutely dominating in his Game 1 outing, many will be considering the under in this match-up. However, contrary to that opinion the over should get the cash. We have seen an upward move on this total but it is absolutely justified as the wind is expected to be blowing out at a decent clip for this game tonight. I also liked the over coming into this game because I expect both lineups to enjoy more success as they get a quick second look at the hurlers they just struggled against a bit in the first game of this series. Particularly I like the Astros sticks to bounce back after what Tanaka did to them in Game 1. But, as for Greinke, the home run ball was already a problem in the first game of this series and with the weather expected in the Bronx tonight that could be an even bigger issue in Thursday's Game 4 match-up. Keep in mind Greinke also got rocked by the home run ball in his start against the Rays earlier in the post-season. 8* OVER the total in New York Yankees

Thursday Thrasher - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #305 Thursday 8* UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (-) @ Arkansas State @ 7:30 ET - UL Lafayette is off a low-scoring loss but they faced a tough Appalachian State team. Now the Ragin Cajuns face the struggling defense of Arkansas State and I expect this one will turn into a road road. UL Lafayette entered their game against the Mountaineers having averaged nearly 550 yards and 45 points per game! Their offense will surely bounce back against a Red Wolves defense that has been hurt (literally) by injuries this season. Arkansas State has allowed averages of 45 points per game and over 600 yards a game the past month. The Ragin Cajuns are on a 7-1 ATS run (not including bowl game) in their last 8 games played away from home! The road warriors get the job done again Thursday as they bounce back off their first ATS loss of the season. Arkansas State is off a bye week which was preceded by them getting blasted 52-38 at Georgia State. The Red Wolves are 0-6 ATS when they are a dog of 6.5 points or less and off a game in which they allowed 36 points or more. The Ragin Cajuns are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings between these teams. 8* UL LAFAYETTE

Divisional Dominator - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #303 Thursday 10* Top Play Kansas City Chiefs (-) @ Denver Broncos @ 8:20 ET - Broncos off a home shutout win while the Chiefs are off a home upset loss. That makes this the perfect set up for backing the small home favorite. Patrick Mahomes (ankle) has been upgraded to probable for this game. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's teams are 11-3 ATS when they enter a game off a straight up loss in non-divisional action and are facing a team off a straight up win. KC is now off back to back losses after a 4-0 start while the Broncos are off back to back wins after an 0-4 start. That makes this the ideal spot to back Kansas City. Denver has gotten the cash just once in their last seven meetings with the Chiefs and the Broncos have not gotten the cash a single time in their last five as a host in this series! There is an old adage about "defense wins football games" and I am well aware of the fact that Denver has the much better defense in this match-up. However, not only is Kansas City's offense much better than the Broncos offensive attack, this one is also simply very strong from a situational standpoint. I don't see KC losing 3 straight and I don't see the Broncos winning 3 straight. That said, I have no hesitation in taking advantage of the line move here and laying the short number with the Chiefs. 10* KANSAS CITY