Will Rogers

My AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST TOTAL OF THE YEAR is on the under between the Red Sox and Rays at 7:05 EST. This American League East divisional series has so far been a very high-scoring one, but everything finally points to much more of a "duel" and lower-scoring outcome here in the finale in my opinion, for a few different reasons. Boston is now 9-10 and 5-7 on the road, while Tampa is 8-9 and 8-6 at home following the Red Sox 7-4 win on Tuesday. The Rays won the opener by a score of 16-1. The starters in this game haven't been extremely sharp to open up 2025, but each enters hungry to reverse their fortunes. Sean Newcomb (0-2, 4.97 ERA) gets the call for the visitors, while the home side counters with Zack Littell (0-3, 6.88.) Littell is coming off a terrible start against the Angels, allowing seven runs over four innings. The one bright spot for Littell is that he owns a respectable 14:3 K:BB over 17 innings of work. Last year Littell posted a 2.90 ERA in front of the hometown crowd, and I believe he can return to form here against the Red Sox, who will look for Newcomb to recover from a disastrous outing as well, conceding six runs over four innings in a loss to the White Sox. Newcomb's time in the starting rotation is coming to an end shortly with reinforcements on the way, but he'll be looking to improve upon his 15:7 K:BB over 12.2 innings that he's worked as a starter so far. I say the conditions are finally correct for much more of a lower-scoring battle, after the first two games flew well over the posted number. This number is high, the play is the under.

My PLAY-IN GAME OF THE YEAR is on the Miami Heat at 7:30 EST. The Heat have defeated the Bulls two other times in the Play-In Tournament, and I expect them to advance once again in 2025 as well. Chicago ended the regular-season with a 39-43 record and in ninth spot, while Miami finished in tenth, two games behind at 34-45. The loser will be eliminated, while the winner will move on to play the winner of the Hawks/Magic. Chicago won the season series by a score of 3-0, but experience counts now in the Playoffs. Yes, Jimmy Butler is long gone from Miami, but it till has plenty of talented players, including Tyler Herro. While Chicago does average 117.8 PPG, it concedes 119.4. Billy Donovan's side also only managed a sub-par 18-23 record at the United Center. Miami last played in the Play In Tournament in 2023 against the Bulls, and then moved on to the Finals to play Denver. Miami averages 110.6 PPG, but is one of the better defensive clubs in conceding just 110.6 as well. I think Eric Spolestra will have "something up his sleeve" here once again for the Bulls. Grab the point/s, Heat roll!

My EPL GAME OF THE WEEK is on Newcastle United at 2:30 EST. These two teams are on polar opposite ends of the spectrum as far as their performance is concerned, both over the course of the entire season, but also in the short-term. Considering their form, I feel Newcastle should in fact be a much steeper favorite here. Crystal Palace is in terrible shape, sitting in 12th spot after a 5-2 defeat to Manchester City last weekend. Newcastle United sits in fourth spot though and it most recently annihilated Manchester United by a score of 4-1. The home side has to be feeling confident here as it's kept a clean sheet in six of its last eight matches against Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace does have the ability throughout the course of the season to step up and steal a game, but it won't be this weekend. Lay the price with confidence, Newcastle rolls!