Jesse Schule Sports Picks

This is a 7* play on the Chicago Cubs.

The Pirates have lost six of eight so far, and the poor start comes after a rough spring. Another loss seems likely at Wrigley today.

Jon Lester will toe the slab for the Cubs, and he's been solid at home in Chicago. Lester didn't even allow a hit in his first start of the season.

The Pirates hand the ball to Steven Brault, who has struggled against the Cubs. He's 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA in nine appearances at Wrigley.

The Pirates are batting .178 so far (of course dead last in the majors).

Take CHC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Rockets should have lost to Dallas in their first game of the restart, but they took advantage of a young team making rookie mistakes. Dallas had a seven point lead with 41 seconds to play, and let it slip away. The Rockets tied the game and went on to win in overtime. Now they are facing a Bucks team that doesn't make many mistakes. Milwaukee (unlike Houston) is solid on both sides of the ball ranking top five in points scored and points allowed. The Bucks have won three straight versus Houston, and they have covered in five of the last six meetings.

Take MIL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs did everything right in their first game back, except for the final 41 seconds in an overtime loss to the Rockets. They blew a seven point lead, allowing Houston to force overtime in a game that they had no business winning. Luca Doncic had a triple-double, and Kristaps Porzingis went off for 39 points and 16 rebounds. The good news for Dallas is they are right back on the court, and they have an excellent opportunity to get that bitter taste out of their mouths. They face the Phoenix Suns, who might be happy with themselves after beating the Wizards backups. The Mavs have won three of the last four meetings by an average margin of nine points.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were on the wrong side of an OT loss in their first game out of the restart. They looked pretty good overall, considering they were playing a healthy Portland team that is also fighting for it's playoff life. San Antonio got a win over Sacramento, but it remains to be seen if this depleted Spurs team can compete without LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs haven't played well all season, and they trail Memphis by three games in the standings. They have lost exactly twice as many games as they have won away from home (11-22). Memphis has won three of the last five head to head meetings, and they covered the spread in four of those games. I'll take the younger, more motivated Memphis team.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Oakland A's.

Seattle blew a late lead last night, allowing Oakland to even the series at 1-1. I like the visitors in the rubber match Sunday.

Chris Bassitt will toe the slab for Oakland, and he tossed four scoreless innings against the Angels in his season debut.

The Mariners hand the ball to Kendal Graveman, and the former Oakland right-hander was rocked in his first start. He gave up seven runs on six hits and three walks in just four innings at Houston.

The Mariners surprised a few people starting the season with a respectable four wins in eight games. The reality is about to set in, this team is going to be well below .500 this season.

Take OAK.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Philly +1.5.

Boston is one of the favorites to win it all, but the first place team in the Eastern Conference has had a ton of trouble getting organized for the restart. David Pastranak who leads the league in scoring, missed a ton of training as he was in quarantine, and Brad Marchand is out with a lower body injury. The Bruins appear to be vulnerable, and the Flyers are a tough opponent. Philly has won outright in four of the last five versus Boston, and seven of the last 10 meetings have been decided by one goal (four of those in overtime).

Take PHI.

GL,

Jesse Schule