Sean Murphy

My selection is on the 'under' between Chicago and Dallas at 8 pm et on Wednesday.

This matchup is more about who won't be on the floor than who will as the Sky and Wings begin their respective campaigns on Wednesday. Chicago will be without number three overall draft pick Kamilla Cardoso for at least a month after she got hurt in the team's first preseason game. The Sky already figured to be one of the league's worst teams this season so her absence strikes a blow to be sure. Dallas is a bit of a wild card entering the 2024 campaign but one thing we do know is it will be without one of its best players in Satou Sabally through the Olympic break in August after she suffered a shoulder injury. It will be all about treading water until Sabally can return for the stretch run. The 'watch factor' is about as low as it gets in this early season affair. Take the under (8*).

A.L. East Game of the Month. My selection is on Baltimore over Toronto at 12:35 pm et on Wednesday.

The Orioles dropped Monday's series-opener against the Blue Jays before last night's game was postponed due to rain. We'll back Baltimore as it looks to get back in the win column in the front half of Wednesday's double-header against Toronto. Note that the O's currently sit eighth in baseball in team FIP and seventh in team OPS. The Blue Jays rank well below the MLB average in terms of team OPS and third-worst in team FIP. Take Baltimore (10*).

Wednesday NHL Free play. My selection is on Colorado over Dallas at 8 pm et on Wednesday.

Teams facing elimination certainly haven't been going away quietly in this round of the NHL Playoffs. On the heels of three straight losses, I look for the Avalanche to answer back as they sit on the brink of elimination on Wednesday as well. Note that Colorado is 7-1 (+5.1 net games) when coming off three straight games in which it allowed four goals or more this season, as is the case here. The Avs are also a long-term 28-15 (+2.3 net games) when coming off a home defeat. Meanwhile, Dallas is just 4-9 (-8.9 net games) when coming off a game in which it scored four goals or more against a divisional foe over the last three seasons. The Stars are also 3-7 (-10.0 net games) after securing a victory by four goals or more in their previous contest this season. Take Colorado.

My selection is on the 'under' between Colorado and Dallas at 8 pm et on Wednesday.

As these second round series' go on we're seeing more and more low-scoring games and I expect that to hold true as the Avalanche and Stars meet in Game 5 on Wednesday. Colorado got jolted by the sudden suspension of forward Valeri Nichushkin prior to Game 4. The Avs came out flat-footed and ultimately dropped a 5-1 decision. Colorado has now lost each of the last three games and that's notable as the 'under' has gone 7-3 when it has followed up three straight defeats over the last three seasons including a 2-1 mark this season. The 'under' is also a long-term 18-12 in the Avs last 30 contests when facing elimination in a series including a 2-0 record over the last three seasons. Meanwhile, the 'under' is 4-1 with the Stars leading a playoff series over the last three seasons including a 2-0 mark this season. Additionally, the 'under' has gone 5-1 with Dallas attempting to close out a playoff series over the last three seasons. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on Dallas plus the points over Oklahoma City at 9:30 pm et on Wednesday.

The Mavericks let the Thunder off the hook at home in Game 4 of this series and as a result things are tied up at two games apiece as the scene shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Wednesday. I expect the Mavs to take back control of this series, noting that anywhere close to an average shooting performance would have had them winning in a walk last time out. Dallas checks in 21-11 ATS when seeking revenge for a loss against an opponent as a home favorite over the last three seasons including a 9-2 ATS mark in that situation this season. Off an upset defeat, the Mavs have gone 32-16 ATS over the last three seasons including a 13-3 ATS record this season. While I certainly have a lot of respect for the Thunder and cashed with them in Game 4, I believe this game belongs to the visitors. Take Dallas (8*).