Expert Sports Picks and Betting Predictions

Friday’s NBA Playoff action features the San Antonio Spurs hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of this conference finals series. Who has the edge in our Spurs vs Thunder pick?

Thursday’s NBA Playoff action features the New York Knicks hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Who has the edge in our Knicks vs Cavaliers pick?

Wednesday’s NBA Playoff action features the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of this conference finals series. Who has the edge in our Thunder vs Spurs pick?

Tuesday’s NBA Playoff action features the New York Knicks hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the conference finals. Who has the edge in our Knicks vs Cavaliers pick?

The Rays got off to a sluggish start this season, but have been blazing since they fell to 5-7 after 12 games. They've won 15 of their last 18. Now, they're in 1st place in the AL East and swept the St. Petersburg in Tampa earlier this season.

David Peterson's ERA is 5.40. His FIP is 3.01. That is a gap of nearly two and a half runs, and it tells the story of a pitcher who has been getting results far worse than his underlying contact numbers deserve. He has been generating outs and limiting hard contact at a rate that should produce a significantly lower ERA, but the damage has accumulated through sequencing and strand rates that have consistently broken against him. Peterson is not a 5.40 ERA pitcher. He is closer to the FIP.

Braydon Fisher is not a name that generates attention in the American League East, but his FIP is 3.68 and his numbers have been consistent all season. He works efficiently, commands his fastball to both sides of the plate, and has not had the blow-up start that derails a pitcher's ERA in a single outing. Toronto has asked him to be reliable mid-rotation depth, and he has been exactly that. Against the Yankees' lineup, which is the most dangerous part of tonight's equation, Fisher needs to work ahead in counts and keep the ball out of the air at Yankee Stadium.

Spencer Strider is 2.45 ERA since his return from the oblique strain, and the results have been everything Atlanta needed when they activated him. He strikes out batters at a rate that belongs in the top percentile of the league, and his velocity has held up through multiple outings since returning. The FIP is 3.63, which runs about 1.18 runs above his ERA — not a disqualifying gap, but enough to indicate that strand rates and sequencing have been working in his favor alongside the genuine quality in his starts.

The stakes increase in the NHL Playoffs this weekend, as Game 2 in the Western Conference Finals will see the Colorado Avalanche aiming to strike back against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The pressure increases on teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this week, as the Eastern Conference Finals get underway when the Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens.

The pressure increases on teams in the NHL Playoffs this week, as the Western Conference Finals get underway when the Colorado Avalanche host the Vegas Golden Knights.

There are few sporting events that garner more excitement than a Game 7 matchup in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Therefore, a fascinating series-deciding clash between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres on May 18 will be must-watch.

A huge match in the history of West Ham is set for Sunday, as the Hammers must beat Leeds and hope Tottenham lose against Everton if they are to avoid relegation.

The dream of Champions League soccer remains alive at Bournemouth following Aston Villa’s win in the Europa League final. A win on the final day for the Cherries against Nottingham Forest will secure sixth spot.

Mohamed Salah will play his final match for Liverpool at Anfield this weekend, as the Reds chase a win against Brentford to secure their spot in next season’s Champions League.

Tottenham’s date with destiny arrives on Sunday, as they must pick up at least a draw against Everton to avoid an embarrassing relegation to the Championship.