Will Rogers Handicapping Review & Free Picks Page

My ROUND-TRIPPER play is on the Chicago Cubs at 7:10 EST. Philadelphia is 14-13 this year and just 5-9 on the road. Chicago is 17-11 this season, including 9-6 at home. Chicago took the opener 4-0, before Philly responded in yesterday's 10-4 win. I now like Chicago to bounce back here in the finale and find a way to pick up the victory with what I believe to be the superior starter on the hill for them in this matchup. The visitors hand the ball to Aaron Nola (0-5, 6.43 ERA), who most recently allowed four runs off seven hits over six innings in a loss to the Mets. The Cubs counter with Jameson Taillon (1-1, 4.73 ERA), who is coming off a great outing, allowing one run off three hits over five innings in what turned out to be an unfortunate no-decision against the Diamondbacks. Over his last 22.1 innings of work Taillon has settled down by allowing only eight runs and striking out 23. Taillon pitched well enough to win last time out, and I expect him to continue that progression here. Who knows what's going on with Nola, as his consistency from game to game can no longer be trusted. Especially against this great Cubs' line-up. All things considered, I feel this to be fantastic line value on Chicago.

My EASTERN CONFERENCE CRU$HER is on the Pacers at 9:30 EST. So far, the home floor advantage has proved crucial in this series, but I think that the Pacers have a legitimate shot at winning Game 4 outright. That said, in a contest that I see coming right down to the wire, I'll recommend to grab as many points as you can. Indiana had a ten-point halftime lead in Game 3, before the Bucks went on a miraculous second-half comeback to save their season essentially. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another big night with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Gary Trent Jr. exploded for 37 points, hitting nine three-pointers. Suffice it to say, I'm not expecting lightning to "strike twice" for Trent Jr. in Game 4. Damian Lillard was just 2 of 12. Aaron Newsmith had 18 points for the Pacers in Game 3, while Tyrese Haliburton has so far dished out an average of 11.3 assists during the Playoffs. Look for Indiana's depth prove to be crucial in its competitiveness in Game 4. Grab the points, Pacers roll!

My EASTERN CONFERENCE ROUND ONE TOTAL OF THE YEAR is on the over between the Hurricanes and the Devils at 3:30 EST. Home ice advantage has so far proved crucial in this series. Carolina won Game 1 by a score of 4-1, and then Game 2 at home by a score of 3-1. The Devils finally answered back at home in Game 3 with a hard-fought 3-2 overtime victory. While the first three games of this series have all gone under the number, I'm finally anticipating a much faster-paced affair in Game 4, and will therefore be hammering the over in this one. These teams played a back-to-back on December 27th and 28th in the regular season. The Devils beat Carolina 4-2 on the 27th, and then Carolina responded with a 5-2 win on the 28th. I believe we'll see a similar offensive response here following the Game 3 loss. Keep your eyes on the Devils' Timo Meier, who has ten shots on 27 attempts through three games. Jacob Markstrom and Frederik Andersen have so far been the focal point of this series, but now everything points to these offenses taking "center stage" so to speak in Game 4. This number is low, the play is on the over.