Picks for 5/1/26
NBA
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 521
Cavs -4.5 over Raptors (loss)
It’s been a great series between the #4 Cavs and the #5 Raptors. Toronto has missed the services of Immanuel Quickley in this series, and tonight will be without Brandon Ingram. Scottie Barnes is dealing with a quad injury, and at some point, massive injuries to key starters catch up with you. The Cavaliers have a massive experience edge and won’t be rattled in a potential close-out game. I agree with the oddsmakers making Cleveland the favorite. James Harden and Evan Mobley were outstanding in game five. Donovan Mitchell is a great scorer, and Dennis Schroder is dominating off the bench. The Raptors are a young team, and at some point, I expect them to be overwhelmed, especially if they can win on the boards. Take the Cavs.
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 521
Cavs -4.5 over Raptors (loss)
It’s been a great series between the #4 Cavs and the #5 Raptors. Toronto has missed the services of Immanuel Quickley in this series, and tonight will be without Brandon Ingram. Scottie Barnes is dealing with a quad injury, and at some point, massive injuries to key starters catch up with you. The Cavaliers have a massive experience edge and won’t be rattled in a potential close-out game. I agree with the oddsmakers making Cleveland the favorite. James Harden and Evan Mobley were outstanding in game five. Donovan Mitchell is a great scorer, and Dennis Schroder is dominating off the bench. The Raptors are a young team, and at some point, I expect them to be overwhelmed, especially if they can win on the boards. Take the Cavs.
MLB
7:10 PM EST
Rotation # 917-918
Astros/Red Sox Over 9.5 runs (loss)
Burrows/Bennett
The Red Sox have placed Garrett Crochet on the IL and will call up Jake Bennett to make his first MLB Start. Bennett has a big arm, but the Astros are great against left-handed pitchers. Boston has struggled against right-handers, but it’s hard to trust the starter Mike Burrows and even harder to trust their struggling bullpen, which currently has the league’s highest ERA. Look for both teams to create enough extra base hits to make this a higher-scoring game. Take the Over.
7:10 PM EST
Rotation # 917-918
Astros/Red Sox Over 9.5 runs (loss)
Burrows/Bennett
The Red Sox have placed Garrett Crochet on the IL and will call up Jake Bennett to make his first MLB Start. Bennett has a big arm, but the Astros are great against left-handed pitchers. Boston has struggled against right-handers, but it’s hard to trust the starter Mike Burrows and even harder to trust their struggling bullpen, which currently has the league’s highest ERA. Look for both teams to create enough extra base hits to make this a higher-scoring game. Take the Over.