The Daily Juice: Best Bets for Wednesday MLB & Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5

On Tuesday, the Spurs won and covered against the Timberwolves, cashing the 10.5-point spread. The Brewers delivered a moneyline win as well. The Sabres and Canadiens had a first-period goal taken off the board, a goal that would have resulted in a push and a 2-0-1 night for us rather than of a 2-1 finish.

Instead, Buffalo held on for a 3-2 victory over Montreal, taking a 3-2 series lead and keeping a valuable futures ticket alive. Buffalo is now one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, which would create an opportunity to hedge that 20-1 future on the Sabres.

The same situation applies to San Antonio, which also moved within one victory of the Western Conference Finals after its win Tuesday night. That Spurs ticket sits around 15-1.

The futures portfolio suddenly looks very good, especially after the Celtics’ early playoff exit.

Cavaliers vs. Pistons: Pistons -4.5 (-110)

Let’s start in the NBA with Game 5 between the Cavaliers and Pistons.

Detroit has been excellent at home. Cleveland has been awful on the road. The Cavaliers are now 0-5 away from home in the playoffs while remaining undefeated in Cleveland.

It’s not that complicated. We’re laying 4.5 points with the Pistons. Detroit should take care of business.

The Pistons won the first two games in Detroit, first 111-101 and then 107-97. Both games stayed under the total.

Then the series shifted to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers won both games at home.

Now the series heads back to Detroit, and the expectation is that the Pistons shoot better while also benefiting from a more favorable whistle after the coaching staff voiced frustration with officiating in Game 4.

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Pick: Pistons -4.5 (-110) (1.1 units)

Phillies vs. Red Sox: Red Sox Moneyline (-129)

Let’s go to baseball with the Red Sox hosting the Phillies at Fenway Park. Boston dropped Tuesday’s matchup 2-1, but the pitching matchup Wednesday dramatically favors the home team.

Andrew Painter gets the start for Philadelphia, and the Phillies have now lost five straight games started by the right-hander.

In Painter’s last outing against the A’s, he gave up eight earned runs. Eight. Even the Red Sox should be able to hit this cat. Against Miami, he gave up three earned runs. Against Atlanta, he gave up five earned runs, and then another three earned runs against the Braves at home.

Painter enters with a 6.89 ERA and a 1-4 record. He’s a walking losing streak for the Phillies.

On the other side, Sonny Gray has looked sharp since returning from a hamstring injury.

At Fenway Park this season, Gray has been very good. He has a 1.80 ERA, a 2-0 record in 15 innings of work, an opposing batting average of .185, and just three earned runs allowed.

Boston badly needs a win and owns a clear edge in the starting pitching department.

Phillies vs. Red Sox Pick: Red Sox Moneyline (-129) (1.29 units)

Cubs vs. Braves: Under 8.5 (-110)

Bet No. 3, we’re staying in baseball with the highly anticipated matchup between the Cubs and the Braves.

All the trends were pointing toward the Under in the series opener, which finished 5-2 Atlanta and cashed the under 8.5 total.

Now Shota Imanaga takes the mound for Chicago.

On the road this season, he has a 3.31 ERA, a 1-1 record, an opposing batting average of .200, and the Cubs have won back-to-back games started by Imanaga – an 8-3 win over the Reds and a 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Atlanta counters with JR Ritchie, who enters 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA. He has given up three, two, and two earned runs over his last three starts. He’s only pitched in three games, and the Braves are 2-1 in his starts.

Ritchie hasn’t been horrible. The final scores in his starts were 5-4, 4-3, and 7-2.

With Imanaga pitching well and the intensity between these clubs carrying a postseason feel, the expectation is another low-scoring game.

Cubs vs. Braves Pick: Under 8.5 (-110) (1.1 units)

Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Over 212.5 (-110)

Now to the Hard Rock Bet of the Day. Let’s go with the total in Pistons vs. Cavaliers.

The first two games in Detroit both went under the total. The two games in Cleveland both went over.

Now the number sits at 212.5.

The expectation is that officiating becomes a major factor in Game 5. With Detroit publicly criticizing the whistle after Game 4, the belief is that the Pistons will get to the free-throw line more frequently.

That should push the scoring.

This is a crucial game in the series, with heightened intensity, more fouls, and more free throws expected throughout the night.

Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Over 212.5 (-110)

Wednesday’s Betting Card

• Pistons -4.5 (-110)
• Red Sox Moneyline (-129)
• Cubs vs. Braves Under 8.5 (-110)
• Cavaliers vs. Pistons Over 212.5 (-110)