Sean Murphy Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

My selection is on Tampa Bay +1.5 runs over Texas at 7:10 pm et on Friday.

I'll give the Rays another shot, plus the insurance run, as they host the struggling Rangers on Friday night. No real advantage on the hill here as Rays starter Alex Cobb has been terrific for much of the campaign. I do expect runs to come at a premium in this contest, but that lends itself to a run-line play on the underdog Rays. Tampa Bay couldn't close out a series sweep in Oakland but should still return home with plenty of confidence. Meanwhile, Texas just suffered a four-game sweep in Baltimore, allowing 34 runs in the process. Take Tampa Bay +1.5 runs (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Pittsburgh and Colorado at 8:40 pm et on Friday.

I'll back the 'under' at Coors Field on Friday night. Trevor Williams will take the ball for the Pirates. His overall numbers aren't overly impressive by any means. However, he has still managed to hold his last six opponents to three earned runs or less. The Rockies will be seeing him for the first time tonight. Rockies starter Jeff Hoffman owns an ERA north of six at home. But he's worked at least six innings in each of his last four starts, with the 'under' going 3-1 over that stretch. Like Williams, he'll be facing the opposition for the first time in his career. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Winnipeg plus the points over B.C. at 10 pm et on Friday.

The Lions are on a serious roll right now, fresh off three consecutive wins, on the road no less. I believe they'll be in tough as they return home to host the Blue Bombers on Friday, however. Winnipeg is coming off a 33-25 win over the Argos last week. There's still plenty of room for improvement, however, as the Bombers have been outgained in terms of total yardage in each of their last two games. I look for them to turn in a sharper effort, particularly on the defensive side of the football this week. Note that you only have to go back to October of last year to find the last time the Bombers won a game in Vancouver. Take Winnipeg (10*).