Jim Feist Premium Picks

The Philadelphia 76ers look to have the East best record tied up as they sit in 1st place, 1.5 games ahead of second place Brooklyn. The Miami Heat are in 5th place tied with the Knicks and just a half game back of the Hawks. So the Heat have a lot more on the line here tonight then do the Sixers. The Sixers' Joel Embiid is questionable tonight with an illness. The Heat guard Jimmy Butler is also questionable with an eye injury. Philly is coming off a loss at Indiana on Tuesday, 94-103. The loss snapped a 7-game winning streak. Miami has won three straight and six of the last seven games. They have also covered three in row and six of seven. I expect Butler to play tonight as the Heat have more to do before the end of the regular season. Play Miami.

The Miami Marlins continue their West coast trip here tonight in Arizona. This will be the final game of this 4-game set with the D'backs. The Marlins are 1-2 in the three games in Arizona and have scored just eight total runs in the three games. The Marlins will start Trevor Rogers tonight. Rogers is 4-2 in his seven starts with a 1.89 ERA and 1.079 WHIP. He's been just as good on the road with a 2.05 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in his four away starts. Merrill Kelly will toe the rubber for the D'backs tonight. Rogers is 2-3 in his seven starts with a 5.40 ERA. He's been very good at home with a 1-0 record in his two starts with a 2.31 ERA and 1.285 ERA. I like the Marlins starter a lot here tonight. Play Miami.

 Both these teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Vancouver Canucks are last in the North division with 45 points while the Calgary Flames are right above them with 49 points. Both teams give up lots of goals and the only thing on the line tonight is some pride. That being said I won't look for side here, rather I will be playing the OVER. I expect both sides to look at younger players and that will open up scoring opportunities on both side. Take the OVER and enjoy the show. Play OVER.

The Cleveland Indians are in 2nd place in the AL Central, just one game back of the White Sox. The Indians are 8-2 over their last 10 games and bring a three-game win streak to Seattle tonight. The Mariners have dropped to third place in the AL West after losing four straight and seven of their last 10 games. The Indians will start Zach Plesac tonight. Plesac is 2-3 in his seven starts with a 3.82 ERA and 1.025 WHIP. Plesac has been very good of late, allowing no runs over his last 13 2/3 innings with 13 KO's and just four walks. Logan Gilbert makes his first start of the season for the Mariners. Gilbert, a top pitching prospect of the M's, has been called up by the Mariners for this start. Until I see Gilbert pitch I'll go with the proven starter in this one. Play Cleveland.

The Chicago White Sox are in 1st place in the AL Central, one game ahead of the Cleveland Indians. The Sox have won five straight games and seven of their last 10. The Sox have baseballs best run differential at +64 thanks to a big hitting ball club. Especially against lefties where they are 8-1 this year. The Sox have also won five straight games. Now they face a Twins team that is struggling , losing three in a row and seven of their last 10 games. They were pummeled on Wednesday by the Sox, 8-13. Michael Pineda has pitched well for the Twins, going 2-1 after six starts with a 2.43 ERA. However, Carlos Rondon has been amazing this year with a 5-0 record after five starts with a 0.58 ERA and 0.677 WHIP. He has not allowed more than one run in any of his five starts. I'm coming right back with the White Sox here on Thursday.  Play Chicago.

(Note: pitching change as Lynn now going for White Sox. This play still stays same for Jim)