Monday MLB Free play. My selection is on the 'under' between Texas and Oakland at 9:40 pm et on Monday.

The A's are coming off consecutive high-scoring games against the Marlins, first exploding for 20 runs in Saturday's victory before giving up 12 runs in Sunday's defeat. I expect a return to 'normal' on Monday as Oakland hosts Texas in a key early season A.L. West clash. The Rangers did break out for 15 runs in Saturday's win in Kansas City but have been held to three runs or less in three of their last five contests. Andrew Heaney will get the start for Texas on Monday. He should be happy to be facing the A's as he's held their current hitters to a collective 7-for-33 with four extra-base hits. The A's have been hot at the plate but I expect regression to come fast. Note that Oakland ranks 21st in the majors in home OPS and 27th in night game OPS. Fellow left-hander Alex Wood will counter for the A's. He's been solid over his last couple of outings even if his overall numbers aren't great this season. The Rangers check in 24th in baseball in OPS vs. left-handed pitching this season. Current Rangers hitters are 18-for-63 off of Wood but have only managed to hit one home run. The two bullpens have combined to convert 16 saves while blowing six this season. Take the under.

American League Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Detroit and Cleveland at 6:10 pm et on Monday.

This one sets up as a low-scoring affair between two teams off to strong starts but perhaps not at their best lately. Tigers starter Jack Flaherty has quietly been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball this season, logging a 2.84 FIP and 1.03 WHIP in six starts. Flaherty has held current Guardians hitters to just 7-for-26 at the plate including just one extra-base hit (a home run by Jose Ramirez). The Tigers bullpen is in fairly good shape after yesterday's game in the Bronx got sent into a rain delay before ultimately being cut short. Entering yesterday's action, the Detroit 'pen had posted a collective 2.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Triston McKenzie will take the ball for Cleveland. Current Tigers hitters have gone 3-for-34 without a single home run off of him. McKenzie hasn't necessarily been at his best this season but does come off a terrific seven-inning performance against the Astros on May 1st. Behind McKenzie is a Guardians bullpen that has recorded a 2.60 ERA and 1.05 WHIP this season (entering Sunday's action). Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Boston and Florida at 8 pm et on Monday.

We saw a wild, high-scoring game to open the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs yesterday as the Rangers held off the Hurricanes by a 4-3 score. I expect nothing of the sort as the Panthers host the Bruins to begin their second round series on Monday. Note that the 'under' is 11-3 with Florida coming off a win by five goals or more, as is the case here, including a 3-0 record in that situation this season. The 'under' is also 9-5 in the Panthers last 14 contests when seeking revenge for three straight losses against an opponent, which is the situation here, including a 5-1 record in that spot this season. The 'under' is 17-12 in Boston's last 29 contests following an overtime victory including a 7-4 mark this season. Finally, the 'under' is a long-term winner at 46-41 in the Bruins last 87 divisional contests including a 20-12 record this season. Take the under (8*).

Monday NBA Free play. My selection is on the 'under' between Indiana and New York at 7:30 pm et on Monday.

Despite the fast pace they tend to employ, the 'under' is actually a long-term winning play in Pacers road games. Indiana has seen the 'under' go 64-60 in its last 124 road contests including a 22-21 mark this season. Additionally, the 'under' is 10-3 in the Pacers last 13 games following a home win by 20 points or more, as is the case here, including a 6-3 mark in that situation this season. The Knicks are coming off a much higher-scoring series than most anticipated against the 76ers in the opening round. Still, the 'under' is 31-23 in their last 54 contests as a home favorite of six points or less including a 9-6 record this season. The 'under' is also a long-term 45-42 in New York's last 87 games when seeking revenge for a loss in which its opponent scored 110 points or more, which is the situation here, including a 15-14 mark this season. Take the under.

Second Round Game of the Year. My selection is on Denver minus the points over Minnesota at 10 pm et on Monday.

The Timberwolves have reeled off five straight wins both SU and ATS but I look for those streaks to end here. Note that Minnesota is a long-term 18-33 ATS in its last 51 games following five consecutive ATS victories including a 3-7 ATS mark in that spot over the last three seasons and a 1-2 ATS record this season. The Nuggets have thrived when seeking revenge for a home loss against an opponent going 22-13 ATS in that situation over the last three seasons and 6-2 ATS this season. Additionally, Denver is a long-term 25-16 ATS when coming off an upset loss at home against a divisional opponent, as is the case here, including a 6-0 ATS mark in that spot over the last three seasons and 3-0 ATS this season. I certainly don't expect the defending champion Nuggets to go down 2-0 in this series and it's worth noting that the T'Wolves have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 15 straight-up losses. Take Denver (10*).

Interleague Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Baltimore and Washington at 6:45 pm et on Tuesday.

Both of these teams exploded offensively in their most recent game on Sunday but I look for a different story to unfold as they open a brief two-game series at Nationals Park on Tuesday. Baltimore will hand the ball to Corbin Burnes. He's had little trouble adjusting to life with a new team, recording a 3.71 FIP and 0.92 WHIP in seven starts this season. Current Nationals hitters have gone just 10-for-44 off of Burnes with four extra-base hits. Behind Burnes is a rested Orioles bullpen that enters this series sporting a collective 3.54 ERA and 1.12 WHIP this season. Veteran right-hander Trevor Williams has more than held his own for the Nationals so far this season, posting a 2.90 FIP and 1.17 WHIP through his first six starts. Williams is by no means flashy and isn't going to blow anyone away with his stuff but I am confident he can keep his solid start going even in the face of this difficult matchup. Note that the Orioles entered last night's action ranked best in baseball in day game OPS this season but are just a middling 14th in night game OPS. The Nationals bullpen has been serviceable this season with a 3.81 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, converting 11 saves while blowing six. One final note, the Nats are 23rd in the majors in OPS over the last seven days (entering last night's action) and 22nd in home OPS this season. Take the under (10*).