In the grind of the MLB season, I try to look for "divots," which sums up my golf game and not in a good way when the divot flies further than the ball, but I digress. By that I mean a unique spot/hole where a team has a bit more motivation. And the Cubs are in an utter free-fall, but they better win Sunday or it could get really ugly heading out on a trip. And it is their best pitcher (for now) in Shota Imanaga, although he was blasted last time out. Lot better in day games (2.76 ERA). Astros starter Peter Lambert has lost two straight. Houston star Yordan Alvarez already has been ruled out after leaving Saturday's game. Big loss.
That New York lineup today looks quite lame to conclude a road trip with Juan Soto out due to the flu (plus all the guys on IL already) and that's apparently spreading around the locker room as well. Rookie pitcher Christian Scott has been meh with a 4.13 ERA. Miami's Tyler Phillips will serve as a longer opener and has been a pretty good reliever with a 1.20 ERA in 15 appearances overall.
We are 19th! That's all that is at stake in this one Sunday with both clubs set for relegation regardless. Wolverhampton has not won a single road match all season with seven total goals scored -- and hasn't scored in its past three away -- is really all this is. Burnley has all of two wins at home. A scoreless draw probably would be fitting.
This became a meaningless game for Arsenal on Tuesday when Man City was held to a draw against Bournemouth, handing the Gunners the Premier League title for the first time in a couple of decades. So why risk injury to key guys Sunday on the road in the season finale six days ahead of the Champions League final? Which is something that Arsenal has never won. I sure wouldn't play anyone much if at all. But, hey, a one-goal win works. Crystal Palace is unbeaten in its past nine in all competitions at Selhurst Park.
Colorado pulled the upset in the desert on Friday night, which for Saturday's purposes makes me like this more. If the Rockies' Michael Lorenzen (2-6, 7.03 ERA) isn't the worst starting pitcher in the majors, I'm not sure who is. The Snakes obliterated him last Sunday in Denver. Arizona's Zac Gallen a couple of years ago was in the conversation as one of the best right-handers in the majors. He's not that guy lately at 2-4 with a 4.78 ERA, but he's still the Blair to Lorenzen's Natalie if we are talking "The Facts of Life" metaphors.
I posted a Padres-related play in Discord, and I'm still not quite sure why they are home dogs but will take it. Lucas Giolito looked pretty decent in his season debut last time out, running out of gas in the sixth inning. He shouldn't have gone out for the sixth, that was a managerial mistake. Athletics pitcher JT Ginn has been quite good, but he sure wasn't his first two seasons so color me skeptical. Friars star Fernando Tatis Jr. has as many home runs this season as I do, and I've had 183 fewer at-bats and use my belly as a coaster at this point. So, yeah, I could do that. Is this the night he snaps the slump? Tatis hasn't faced Ginn.
Have the Knicks looked sensational lately? For sure. Are they getting overhyped because of us and ESPN, etc., because it's a New York team? 100% I don't need to see Mariska Hargitay this much if not watching SVU. But I can't ever crack on Ben Stiller because, obviously, Severance. This is clearly the season for the Cavs. They might be broken after that Game 1 collapse but I really don't think they get swept. What did they expect banking on James Harden? But they have been pretty dominant at home in these playoffs. Trying to think of the Cleveland famous fan version of Mariska. Drew Carey? Mr. Taylor Swift?
The Hurricanes were clearly rusty in Game 1 as Frederik Andersen had been historically good in these playoffs before getting shelled in the opener. I expect good Fred tonight in Game 2. He hadn't allowed more than two goals in any other postseason game. And if that happens again, this certainly should cash. It's our only 6.5 on the board.
There are a few things wrong with American sports and one is that kids get a ribbon for just showing up. Yeah, this ain't the SATs where you get points for signing your name (I still managed Under; and continually have nightmares about filling in those little multiple choice dots in a race against time and wish I was kidding). Long story short: This loser Saturday is relegated. A draw and it's Girona kicked. Elche is the worst road team in La Liga with a single away win in 18 matches. I would murder Draw No Bet but it's north of -300.
My Spanish is a little rusty -- me llamo Mateo; mucho con carne por favor -- but from what I can tell, Getafe will qualify for European soccer (not the Champions League) with a win. The side hasn't played in Europe since the 2019-20 campaign. Osasuna is playing to avoid relegation but seems relatively safe barring a blowout loss. Draw No Bet was invented for spots like this. Getafe won the reverse fixture 3-2.
How much is Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar worth to the books? About 20 cents apparently as this number has dropped that much with him ruled out again. But Vegas is again without captain Mark Stone. And the Avalanche simply cannot go down 2-0 heading to Sin City. Since relocating to Denver, the Avalanche are 24-6 in Game 2s at home.
The Jays are generally a different team in their home park, although they enter off back-to-back upset wins at Yankee Stadium. Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.45 ERA) has been quite good for the most part. Bucs pitcher Bubba Chandler is a touted prospect but maybe not ready for the Show yet at 1-5 with a 5.14 ERA. Major control issues so far. Chandler has been one of the biggest money-losing pitchers in the majors at minus-$537.
Not my favorite Cubs play ever, but I feel almost obligated to play these Friday standalone matinees at Wrigley. Not a big fan of Chicago pitcher Jameson Taillon, but he has been better at home and during the day. Certainly prefer the Cubs' lineup. Maybe some urgency on a season-high five-game skid to fall out of first in the NL Central (stupid Brewers). Houston is 8-17 away. Spencer Arrighetti (5-1, 1.50 ERA) has been shockingly good, but he's not that guy. His road splits are significantly worse than at home; Arrighetti is 6-13 career away with a 5.15 ERA.
Here come the Diamondbacks as they are taking advantage of a soft spot in their schedule. Eduardo Rodriguez has been dominant at home with a 1.65 ERA in four starts. Ketel Marte is red hot atop that Snakes lineup and won Tuesday's game about by himself. The Rockies are using a potpourri of middling dudes you probably never heard of in a bullpen-type day on the mound.
The Cardinals burned me yesterday but today simply asking for a one-run loss. Today's starter Dustin May (3-4, 4.81) doesn't have great numbers on the surface but has had four straight quality starts. The righty simply got wrecked his first two of the year and been trying to dig out of that hole. May threw six strong in a no-decision in Pittsburgh on April 27. Counterpart Braxton Ashcraft was raked by the Cardinals on April 28 for six runs in 4.1 innings. The Bucs have failed on their past three tries to win back-to-back games. Again, go ahead. Just make it close. The teams have played a combined 25 one-run games.