Sean Murphy Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

My selection is on Edmonton over Dallas at 8 pm et on Friday.

The Oilers appeared to have the game under control on Wednesday, leading 3-1 entering the third period, before the Stars mounted a massive comeback, scoring five unanswered goals in the game's final 20 minutes. We'll call for Edmonton to bounce back on Friday, noting that the Oilers have proven to be a resilient team all season and check in 27-19-2 on the road, where they've outscored opponents by an average margin of 0.2 goals per game. Dallas has won consecutive games but hasn't posted three straight wins since a seven-game win streak from March 22nd to April 3rd. The Oilers haven't dropped two games in a row since Games 1 and 2 of the opening round against Los Angeles. Take Edmonton (8*).

My selection is on Minnesota over Kansas City at 8:10 pm et on Friday.

Royals rookie Noah Cameron has pitched exceptionally well through two starts, logging a minuscule 0.71 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in 12 2/3 innings of work. I expect him to get out-pitched by Twins veteran Pablo Lopez on Friday, however. Lopez is 4-2 with a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. His underlying metrics are excellent as well, including a 2.43 FIP in 45 innings of work. Look for Lopez to help the Twins avoid a second straight loss while stopping the Royals brief winning streak on Friday night in Minnesota. Take Minnesota (8*).

My selection is on Los Angeles minus the points over Golden State at 10 pm et on Friday.

The Valkyries are coming off their first-ever WNBA victory as they defeated the Mystics in upset fashion at home two nights ago. Keep in mind, they dropped their season-opener by 17 points against the same Sparks squad they'll face on Friday. Los Angeles figures to be in a foul mood coming off consecutive losses. The Sparks couldn't keep up with a red hot Mercury squad two nights ago as Phoenix improved to 2-0 with an 89-86 win at home. Los Angeles should find the going much easier against a Valkyries team that has knocked down just 36% and 32% of its field goal attempts over its first two contests. Take Los Angeles (8*).

Friday MLB Free play. My selection is on Los Angeles over New York at 7:10 pm et on Friday.

With their recent slump behind them after securing consecutive wins over the Diamondbacks, we'll call for the Dodgers to keep it rolling as they head to Queens to take on the reeling Mets on Friday. New York ranks 29th in the majors in weighted on base average over the last seven days. While Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw struggled in his return to big league action, I do expect him to settle down in his second start of the season. I don't think Kershaw would be out there if he didn't feel he could contribute positively at this stage of his career and I see this as a terrific step-up spot against a struggling Mets lineup. New York will hand the ball to Griffin Canning. While he's performed admirably with his new club, the Dodgers obviously present a difficult challenge. Current Los Angeles hitters have gone 13-for-48 (.271) with a healthy .968 OPS against the right-hander. Take Los Angeles.

A.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Cleveland and Detroit at 7:10 pm et on Friday.

Two former first round draft picks will take the mound in Friday's matchup between the Guardians and Tigers. Slade Cecconi gets his second start for Cleveland after coming over from Arizona in the offseason trade that sent Josh Naylor to Arizona. Cecconi looked sharp in his season debut, allowing three earned runs over five innings but striking out eight without a single walk while tossing an economical (by today's standards) 79 pitches. Jackson Jobe counters for Detroit. The 22-year old will be making his ninth start of the season and comes off one of his best as he held the Blue Jays to two earned runs over six innings in a 3-2 win last weekend. Note that the Guardians and Tigers rank 22nd and 23rd, respectively, in weighted on base average over the last week. It's also worth noting that the two bullpens both rank inside the top-12 in xFIP this season. Add in the fact that this game will be played at pitcher-friendly Comerica Park on a night where temperatures will be in the mid-50's, we'll back the 'under'. Take the under (10*).

Western Conference Final Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between Edmonton and Dallas at 8 pm et on Friday.

The Oilers appeared to have Game 1 under control entering the third period as they were up 3-1 before the Stars exploded for five unanswered goals. I think we'll see Edmonton tighten things up considerably in Game 2 on Friday, keeping in mind that it has been a far better defensive team than most give it credit for as a whole this season, checking in allowing 2.9 goals per game with no drop-off at all away from home. For their part, the Stars have been a force defensively on home ice all season, allowing just 2.4 goals per game at American Airlines Center. Dallas knows if won't be gifted the same type of collapse from Edmonton in Game 2. Keep in mind, prior to Wednesday's series-opener, the Oilers were on a two-game 'under' streak while the Stars had seen three straight contests stay 'under' the total. Look for a return to form from both sides defensively on Friday. Take the under (10*).