The Reds can set a record after 3 straight 1-0 losses...

Houston went 10-0 on the road this season...

It's going to be a chilly opening day at Wrigley Field at 44° with winds blowing in at 10 mph. Under is probably the way to go, but I think sticking with the Padres, who have a 7-0 start, is the way to go here at plus-145. Randy Vasquez didn't allow a run in six innings against the Braves, allowing only four hits, and that follows up a great outing on September 28 against Arizona, 5-0, in a game that Arizona had to win. I know there's going to be some opening day emotions for the Cubs, but the Padres are 7-0 and playing very well. Padres to win.

We got the Braves 0-6 to start the season and the Dodgers 7-0 to start their season. What do you think happens next? Seeing how the Braves took their runs per game down to 1.5 after the 3-1 loss last night, they're not off to a great start on the season hitting the ball. And that's essentially what the bet is about: rooting for a repeat of what’s happening. Bryce Elder starts for the Braves in his first start of the season, but in his last start, he gave up seven runs in 3.2 innings to the Brewers in August. Blake Snell goes for the Dodgers in a second start of the year after giving up two runs and five innings. Dodgers run-line.

It's expected to be 47° with 11 mph wind blowing in at Yankee Stadium today when they meet the Diamondbacks for the second of a three-game set. Zac Gallen faces Carlos Rodon in their second starts of the year. The first one went well for Rodon, but Gallen didn't have a good outing, giving up four runs in four innings. I watched the first game against the Cubs, where Gallen pitched, and he was off the whole game, throwing 40 balls and issuing four walks. I think a little bit of that continues, and both teams hit the ball as they have all season, combining for 6-2 over the total. The play is over.

The Padres have started the season 6-0, playing all six games at home, and finish off the three-game series with Cleveland this afternoon with Dylan Cease on the mound. San Diego has only allowed 1.5 runs per game. The Padres' pitching staff has started beautifully. Cleveland is averaging 3.6 runs a game and has Ben Lively on the mound today, who allowed three runs in five innings against the Royals in his first start. I’m going with the run line today on San Diego. Good value for such a large favorite.

The Tigers have beaten the Mariners five straight times and eight of the last 10. They've got Tarik Skubal pitching today against Luis Castillo. Both teams have won two games, but the Mariners have lost four games due to scoring 2.5 runs a game. Skubal lost to the Dodgers 5-4, allowing four runs in five innings. I think Skubal will have an easier time against the light-hitting Mariners. Skubal is 3-0 in three starts against the Mariners. Tigers win.

The Braves have started the season 0-5, and they have to play the Dodgers again who beat them last night. The worst part about the Braves is that they're not hitting. They've only scored one run in their last three games, and it doesn't help that Jurickson Profar is suspended for 80 games. The Dodgers, meanwhile, haven't had Freddie Freeman for three games, but they're still 6-0. Dustin May makes his first start after missing all of last year with Tommy John surgery, and he'll face Chris Sale, who gave up three runs in five innings against the Padres. Look for Sale to pitch well for five innings, and then the Dodgers will come alive against the bullpen. Dodgers to win.

Aaron Judge has four home runs in three games as the Yankees won them all, and he's not even using the torpedo bat. They've averaged a 12 to 4.6 score through three games. They look like the Bronx Bombers on steroids (not really). But Arizona had scored the most runs in baseball last year and they've had an average score of 6.7 to 5.2 in the four-game series against the Cubs that they split. I'm expecting a lot of runs today with Will Warren getting the start because of Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt being out with injuries. Corbin Burnes makes his first start for the Diamondbacks. Lots of runs expected, just the over.

Defense is going to be on display with Tennessee and Houston clashing with the total at 123.5. Whoever has that best defense on display Sunday will earn a trip to the Final Four, and based on the season full of results, I have to lean toward Houston, who is 33-4 and went 10-0 on the road. The road record is impressive to me. It shows no fear and no emotion in the way of their mission. Houston has the better defense allowing 38.4% shooting, number one in the nation allowing 19.7 field goals per game, and being tops in the nation allowing 58.5 points scored per game. Coach Kelvin Sampson breeds defense every season into the team culture. Houston covers.

Florida's Final Four resume looks outstanding at 33-4 with 27 covers, and the current form is even better as they've won 9 in a row and gone over in their last 10. They shoot 47.3%, make 30 field goals a game, and average 9.9 3-pointers made a game. They ranked fourth in the nation averaging 85.5 points a game. But it's the defense of Florida that will beat Texas Tech, which allows 39.9 shooting, and the perimeter defense, which ranks 10th at 29.3% allowed. Texas Tech didn't wow me in the tournament with who they played, and they're 1-4 ATS in their last five. Florida to cover.

Purdue was one of the best shooting teams in the country at 48.8% and hitting 38.5% of the three-point shots. They also don't turn the ball over much. Houston, on the other hand, creates turnovers with a tenacious defense and allows only 58.4 points a game, which is tops in the nation. They only give up 19.7 field goals a game, and they allow 38.4% shooting. Great offense versus a great defense. Purdue beat High Point and McNeese State to make this Sweet 16 but they lost six of their last 11 games. Houston has won their last 15 in a row and covered their last four. Houston covers.

Dusty May's first year at Michigan is finally paying dividends where they've won and covered their last five games beginning with beating Purdue, Maryland, and winning the Big Ten title against Wisconsin. Then the last two games of the NCAA tournament against San Diego and Texas A&M. This looks like Florida Atlantic with May coaching the last 2 years the way Michigan is playing, and that includes their field goal percentage (47.1%) and holding teams to 40%. They are defending well and taking smart shots, same as FAU did, and they're in the Sweet 16 now. Auburn's struggling. They seem right for an upset as they are 1-5 ATS in their last six, losing three outright. Michigan to cover.

Mark Pope led Kentucky to the Sweet 16 in his first year as head coach when he retooled his entire roster two weeks after John Calipari departed for Arkansas. Kentucky has beaten Tennessee the last three times, including twice this year, and five of the last six. Tennessee comes in with the number one rated perimeter defense allowing 28.3% 3-point shooting and the third-ranked defensive field goal percentage at 38.2% allowed. Since last losing to Kentucky they have won nine and lost two with the losses coming at Mississippi and against Florida. I like Tennessee here mainly because of their play at the end of the season and SEC tournament. Rocky Top. Tennessee covers.

Michigan State can point to a February 11th wake-up call with Indiana at home that they lost as an 11.5-point favorite. That would swing itself into good fortune over the last seven regular season wins and 3-1 in the postseason, a total of 10-1 ATS. What also happened is Michigan State's defense played stronger and more consistently and went under 10 of their last 12 games. For the year, Michigan State is 29-6 covering 24 of those games and keeping another 24 under the total, which also might be a good idea for this game against Mississippi. But I also like playing minus-2.5. Sold. Michigan State.