This is a free play on STL.

The Houston Dynamo are winless in away matches so far this season, and they lost 6-2 at Vancouver in their last match. It's been a successful first season in MLS for St. Louis, sitting just one point out of first place in the Western Conference. They are undefeated at home, and their +13 goal differential at home is the best in MLS. My money is on the home side.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on WAS.

After losing Game 1 of this series in Washington, Philly now sits at the bottom of the NL East standings.

Matt Strahm will toe the slab for Philly Saturday, and he's worked out of the bullpen of late.

The Nats hand the ball to McKenzie Gore, who is 3-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 starts.

The Phillies are 3-10 in their last 13 road games versus a left-handed starter.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on SEA.

The Mariners send a rookie to the mound today, but 23 year old Bryan Woo has been lighting it up in the minors. He looks to replicate what Bryce Miller has already done for the Mariners this season.

Andrew Heaney will toe the rubber for the Rangers, and he's struggled against Seattle. He allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in a loss to Seattle this season, and he was 1-2 with an 8.10 ERA in three starts versus the Mariners the previous two seasons.

Heaney boasts a sub 2.00 ERA on the road this season, but his ERA at home balloons to 5.34.

The Mariners are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in Texas.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on the Pirates.

The Pirates are home dogs off three straight wins, despite the fact that they are five games ahead of St. Louis in the standings.

Jordan Montgomery will toe the slab for St. Louis, and he's 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in his last five starts.

The Pirates hand the ball to Luis Ortiz, who is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in two home starts so far this season.

The Pirates are 6-4 straight up in their last 10 versus St. Louis, but they are 8-2 on the runline in those games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on CINCI.

Cincinnati sits at the top of the MLS standings, and they are undefeated at home this season. The Chicago Fire have just three wins in 15 matches, but they also have just four losses. They have been hanging around in games and have played to a draw eight times. While I am sure Chicago would be pleased with a draw here, it won't be easy. Cincinnati is eight points clear of the #2 ranked team in MLS (Nashville).

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MUTD.

These two rivals meet in the FA Cup, and Manchester City looks to complete a Treble (3 x Tropies). Standing in their way are rivals Manchester United, who are the only Premier League club to have won a Treble. There doesn't appear to be a lot of separation between the two clubs, who each won at home in the season series. Manchester United has only conceded three goal while winning four of their last five matches in all competitions. I expect this match to be close, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go to extra time and penalties.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on the Sounders.

While Portland has had the better of this rivalry in recent seasons, the Sounders look to be ready to reclaim their position as one of the top clubs in MLS. Seattle sits in first place in the West, a full 10 points clear of Portland. Seattle has just one loss in nine home matches, while Portland has just one win in eight away matches. The Timbers have scored just one goal in their last three matches, and they have scored just 19 in 15 matches overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on VAN.

The Whitecaps are on fire at home, and their 19 goals in eight home matches rank first in MLS. They are coming off a 6-2 win over Houston, and they could have similar success against KC. Sporting Kansas City has just one win in nine away matches, while the Whitecaps have just one loss in eight home matches.

GL, '

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Vegas.

The Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy in professional sports. Going back more than a century, only once has a #8 seed won the Stanley Cup, and only three times has a team ranked lower than a #4 seed won a Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights are the #1 seed in the Western Conference, and if history is any indication you have to love their chances here. The Panthers have been riding a hot goaltender, and the feisty play of Matthew Tkatchuk. A 10 day layoff prior to this series could be a huge momentum killer for the visitors. I like the Knights to get off to a good start on home ice in Game 1.

GL,

Jesse Schule