No Otto Porter Jr. tonight for the Dubs. Obviously that doesn't matter too much, but he was pretty good the first two games of this series and the Warriors aren't all that deep. I guess I'm just going to pick Dallas because Golden State has shown a propensity to let up in clinching games on the road in these playoffs: Lost Game 4 in Denver by five and was obliterated by 39 in Game 5 in Memphis. No question in my mind that GS finishes this off in Game 5 back at home, but we'll give Dallas one. Luka's supporting cast can't possibly shoot as bad as it did in Game 3.
Jacob Markstrom has looked extremely pedestrian this series and he has been absolutely torched by the Oilers in his career. I think that is getting in his head as he has yet to put together a good game this series. The Oilers confidence is at an all-time high right now and at almost a pick em, I like them to win both home games. The Flames strength is their goalie and defense, yet they have been incapable of playing that game. The Oilers are faster, and they know they can comeback at any time after tying it up down 6-2 in Calgary, even though they eventually lost that game. Take the Oilers to go up 3-1.
The Mariners were winners for us Monday night, and I'm going right back to them -- simply a different team at home. Top M's pitching prospect George Kirby wasn't very good last time out but that was against a Red Sox lineup in Boston that is miles better than Oakland's lineup. In his lone home start thus far, Kirby blanked Tampa Bay over six innings. Oh, and Seattle has won 13 consecutive games against the A's, a franchise record for most consecutive wins against a single opponent.
Over his last three starts, Nick Pivetta has been nearly flawless. He’s surrendered just two total runs and is coming off a complete game his last outing. He threw a season-high 112 pitches in that outing. Moreover, he received no run support when the Red Sox lost 3-1 against the White Sox on May 7. Lay the price with the White Sox.