Matt's Picks (3 Live)
Allan Nascimento has won four straight fights. ...
Christian Pulisic has been ruled out for the USA and really all this is. With my limited soccer knowledge, he is our top striker. Falorin "Flo" Balogun seems to have taken Pulisic's place as our top goal-scoring threat, but a low-scoring draw actually benefits both sides in terms of advancing. And you'd think fewer scoring chances for the USA without Pulisic.
Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski, a name I simply cannot type correctly until the third try, is so fun to watch, and I'm not really into the heat (or homers). But he's a lightning bolt. Only -129 to simply not win at the team with the second-best record in baseball? Yep. I have nightmares the Miz's arm rips off someday throwing so hard in a Texas Chainsaw Massacre-type deal (perhaps don't run toward the shed of chainsaws). Sadly, tonight isn't against Chris Sale like it was supposed to be, but I address that in my CBS Sports SGP on this game.
So delighted to read about how the Tartan Army has taken over the Boston area with their partying that I don't care about this price. There are obviously ways you can knock this down (1.25), but I do want to get over +1 against a better Morocco team. But I'm positively rooting for Scotland to advance as long as possible, and it certainly will have the fan edge in Foxborough. If they come to Miami, I might have to don a kilt and head on over there. Looks so fun. A win and the Scots do advance. I rather doubt that but a draw or one-goal loss works. The Scots have scored nine goals in their last three games. Also like BTTS.
If know me at all, will know that I try to have an opinion on these Cubs standalone Friday matinees. Their best advantage in these -- I call it the "Bueller" as in Ferris not Walker -- is when they were off Thursday and the other team was not. Tough to fly in and play that quick turnaround. It doesn't happen that often, but it's the case today for the Jays. I'd probably go higher if it weren't excellent Toronto pitcher Kevin Gausman. But a few relievers behind him are likely not available and he's often not the same away. I hope the Cubs walk nine times against Gausman. "Nine times!?" -- see I'm doing my Ferris Bueller principal Ed Rooney thing. So awesome.
So I have been doing OK as I have avoided the "swoon." This way up, this way down. Not too much either way. Fine. This is criminally fair on the Rays, who are crazy-good at home. Decent price as it's far from Tampa Bay's best pitcher (Griffin Jax), but it's not like Nationals fans travel. Do Nationals fans exist?
Aaron Nola is not having a good year for the Phils but usually pitches well against the Mets -- and counterpart Sean Manaea is certainly nothing to write home about. A lot of Phillies hit Manaea pretty hard career and such a cheap number for the better team at home. Dunno, it's hard for me to see as I just got back from the eye doctor. Everything has that "Maddie halo" from Moonlighting in the 1980s. Maybe I'm dead, but I still taste old Slim Jim in the gums and I really hope that's not in the afterlife. Half unit.
Switzerland utterly dominated Qatar, outshooting the opponent 26-6 with an xG of 3.20, in the opener but was held to a 1-1 draw, while Bosnia played quite well against Canada to also earn a draw. Thus, neither of these countries can move on or be eliminated from advancing today. The Swiss were thought to be the best team in Group B and their toughest game vs. Canada remains, so they better win today. This will be the sides' first-ever competitive fixture.
If FIFA world No. 44 Czechia hopes to advance, it better not lose to No. 61 South Africa. Both lost their opening match but Czechia played well against Korea, while South Africa was dominated by Mexico. Both could be eliminated with a loss depending on what happens in the group's other match. RSA is down two key players in Sphephelo Sithole (had to double-check the spelling and typing of that last name, that's for sure) & Themba Zwane after both got red cards against Mexico. These countries have only faced each other once before -- a 2-2 draw in the 1997 Confederations Cup.
Reasonably fair price on Texas getting +1.5 at home as the Rangers try to avoid the sweep to a Twins team that is 15-21 away. Minnesota's Joe Ryan is the better pitcher in this matchup but his road splits much worse (3.60 ERA). Tough to trust inconsistent young Jack Leiter for the Rangers but Twins walk at a below-average rate while striking out at an above-average level so that may work right into the wild righty's wheelhouse. Leiter does have a 3.38 ERA in four day starts. We only need a one-run loss and the model has Texas winning slightly.
Pair of lefties today from the desert -- LA is 8-12 vs. southpaws and Arizona 12-6 while ranking No. 6 in OPS against them. Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has a 1.93 ERA in seven home outings. The one good thing about Tuesday's blowout loss was the bullpen getting reset behind him. The Halos' Sam Aldegheri (2-1, 2.12) has good numbers in limited action this season but has bounced back and forth from the minors over his career, and it's his first road start of 2026. Arizona to not bat bottom nine at -115 is a pretty nice alternative if available to you.
Perhaps Spain's draw yesterday vs. Cape Verde was the worst possible result for a team like Senegal in terms of pulling an upset today because I'm sure Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps made it a point to address that result to his guys ahead of this match. At No. 17 in the world, Senegal is miles better than Cape Verde and was the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations champion before that was stripped for non-competitive reasons. France's last outright loss in a WC opener was to Senegal in 2002. Not expecting that but hoping for another surprise draw today (or even a one-goal loss). Both teams have scored in France's past five matches overall dating to November. If Senegal scores, I'm feeling pretty good here.
Washington has won three in a row by multiple runs and starts the third-most profitable pitcher in the majors tonight in southpaw Foster Griffin (7-2, 3.46 ERA). This most likely is not sustainable for the 30-year-old journeyman but you would be up $860 if you bet $100 on the Nats to each of his outings so far. No Royals have seen him career, and Kansas City fell to a truly hysterical 3-16 against lefty starters with Monday's four-run loss in D.C. (we cashed).
Certainly not close to my favorite Brewers pitcher in Robert Gasser (0-3, 6.38 ERA), but his home splits are fairly better and the Brew Crew have a fully rested excellent bullpen behind him. This is mainly fading the Guardians now without All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez for the foreseeable future. He was placed on the injured list Sunday and might miss eight weeks. Crushing news for the team -- but helps the White Sox in the Central! Tuesday starter Slade Cecconi has a 5.21 road ERA.
Over the weekend, the Royals lost one of their better hitters in Vinnie Barbarino ... err Pasquantino for 4-6 weeks. They can't hit much as is and are 3-15 vs. southpaws. K.C. is also 10 games under .500 away and goes with Mitch Spence on the mound -- Spence is 11-16 with a 4.91 ERA in his three seasons in the Show and was only just called back up. It's lefty Andrew Alvarez (3.70 ERA) for the Nats -- although he might not be out there more 4-5 innings as essentially an extended opener. Washington has won two straight and six of nine overall. Might be the first time have played it all season as a ML favorite. Might be the last if don't win.
This seems like a too-cheap price for Monday's series opener from the desert. Arizona, which might get Lourdes Gurriel back from the IL, hasn't been that great of late but has played a pretty tough and road-heavy schedule. Monday starter Ryne Nelson has largely dominated in his past four home outings. The Angels are quite bad, especially away (12-23). Rookie pitcher Walbert Urena (2.44 ERA) has been a nice surprise and probably why this number is low, but his road splits are considerably worse.