Today's top picks: Why the Cardinals will beat the Marlins, plus more MLB, NBA Playoffs, NHL and soccer best bets for Thursday, April 21

Host Allan Bell is joined by Mike McClure, Allie O'Neill, Alex Selesnick and John Bollman on the Early Edge podcast, powered by SportsLine. Get highlighted plays for Major League Baseball, NBA Playoffs, NHL and English Premier League for Thursday, April 21, and you can stream the show live every morning on the SportsLine YouTube page.

The experts go into the story lines and break down injuries for the NBA playoffs, then Allan jumps in with two SportsLine Plays of the Day. Mike Barner is backing the Grizzlies -1.5 against the Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET). And in the English Premier League, SportsLine soccer expert Brandt Sutton is going Under 2.5 goals (-135) in the Burnley vs. Southampton match (2:45 p.m. ET).     

Mike has an MLB pick, taking the Cardinals +115 against the Marlins (6:40 p.m. ET). Jordan Hicks is making his major-league debut for St. Louis, and he has pitched effectively out of the bullpen so far. He "throws incredibly hard, over 100 mph on a slider," McClure says. "It's pretty nasty." In what Mike says is a great pitching environment, he likes the matchup for the Cards. His simulations say the number should be Cardinals -112, so he likes it up to even money.

Bollman also is on MLB, and he is taking the Tigers +145 against the Yankees (1:10 p.m. ET). Michael Pineda will make his first start of the season for Detroit, and Jordan Montgomery will make his third for New York. The Tigers hit much better against left-handers, and the Yankees could rest some players after winning the first two games. With Miguel Cabrera going for his 3,000th hit today and fuming after another loss Wednesday, Bollman expects his teammates to rise to the occasion.

Allie is sticking with the MLB theme, and she also has a play on Cardinals vs. Marlins. She is going Under 7.5 runs, with Hicks pitching really well when he has had the chance. Both games in the series have gone under the total, and the St. Louis bullpen also has been stout, posting a 1.76 ERA so far, Allie says. Miami starter Pablo Lopez, who has allowed one run in his two starts.

Jonathan Coachman is on PGA Tour duty, but he shows up on video from New Orleans to offer up his Cash  With the Coach pick. He also offers up an MLB play, backing the Cleveland Guardians +120 against the White Sox (1:10 p.m. ET)     

PropStarz has an MLB player prop, and Alex is fading Seattle pitcher Marco Gonzalez. He is going Under 4.5 strikeouts (-115) for Gonzalez against the Rangers (9:40 p.m. ET). Texas has the third-fewest strikeouts in MLB and the second-lowest strikeout rate against left-handed pitchers.

Allan wraps this up with a bonus SportsLine Play of the Day on the NHL from Matt Severance, who is on the  Canucks vs. Wild matchup (8 p.m. ET). Severance is backing the Wild -175, as Vancouver could come out flat after a crushing loss Tuesday and is dealing with major injury issues.                 

Early Edge is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Enable push notifications so you always know when the latest episode is available! Every episode is also available on YouTube. Follow @SportsLine on Twitter and Instagram  

Follow our crew on Twitter: @AllanBell247, @Mike5754, @PropStarz, @JohnBollman11 and @allie_sports. You can listen to Early Edge on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Early Edge podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Early Edge podcast." For more betting picks and analysis, visit SportsLine.com. To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit CBSSports.com/podcasts.