Johnny’s Quick Picks April 02, 2024

JOHNNY’S QUICK PICKS April 02, 2024

PITTSBURGH—

BACK IN THE ‘BURGH! Where the sun doesn’t shine for six months!

So go figure the Penguins…they lose a 3-1 lead in the third period to the lowly minor league team Columbus, then lose in a sudden-death shootout. Two nights later they go to go to New York, play one of the best teams in the NHL, and blow out the Rangers in the Garden. Go figure.

Meanwhile, the Pirates are 5-0.

How about those ‘Stros! A rookie with eight MLB starts throws a no-no to the Blue Jays and the Astros finally win a game, 10-0 over Toronto, breaking an eight-game home losing streak!

Last week, I said to watch two teams on the rise: Detroit and Pittsburgh. They are a combined 9-0.

Let’s get back on track today with some very hot takes!

 Get all our staff picks on Daily Picks! 

Read below for Johnny’s Quick Picks for April 02 2024

MLB BABY! 

Cleveland (EVEN) at Seattle

Cleveland’s ace Shane Bieber was lights out in his opening day gem over Oakland. He K’d half the batters he faced, allowing one BB and striking out 11, while not giving up an earned run. More impressive: his velocity was up +1.5 over last years average. Yikes!

Pick: Cleveland (EVEN)

Tigers (+120) at Mets

Tigers are 4-0. Mets are 0-4. Ride the trends. Casey Mize going for the Tigers is a mystery. The key here is I’m fading the Mets until they win a game.

Pick: Detroit (+120)

Toronto at Houston (-155)

Well, the Astros finally won a game and now maybe I can catch them on a roll. Valdez had great stuff opening day but was wild – does he corral it today? I always look to ride a streak. Maybe they reel off a 10-spot?

Pick: Astros (-155)

Rocks at Cubs (-1.5 Runs -EVEN)

I’ll bet against Colorado on the road the next 77 games. I’ll win 50 of them. This team is really pathetic. Why not take the Cubs here at Wrigley? The bleacher bums will be sloshed out of their minds by first pitch.

Pick: Cubs (-1.5, EVEN) 

Boston (-150) at A’s

Oakland wins one game a week. I’ll wait until like Friday. Their starter Alex Wood got clocked last Thursday. Boston might be better than people think.

Related: MLB Power Rankings

Pick: Boston (-150)

Cards at Pads (-140)

I like Yu Darvish at home, he was very sharp in his last outing. Miles Mikolas, not so much. St. Louis is in no man’s land. Should I go or should I stay? Should I buy or should I sell? I say sell like an S.O.B. Padres need to win these home games. Lets GOOO!

Pick: PODS (-140)

College Hoops

Utah (+3.5) Vs. Indiana State

Utah has played a much tougher schedule than Indiana State. The Utes have been covering games, and I get a lot of winners in these non-dance cards by evaluating strength of schedule. Indiana State is 2-4 against teams ranked 55+ in the ratings while Utah is 7-8. I’ll take the juice here.

Pick: Utah (+3.5)

NHL

Boston At Predators (-108)

Nashville was playing the best hockey this side of Ottawa before two stink-ball road wallopings.

Now they come home and I look for a maximum effort in front of the Tennessee faithful. They were 16-2 (two L’s in OT). They’ve won of seven of eight in NashVegas.

Boston finishes up a five-game road trip tonight and I look for fatigue to set in. They want to get back to the Garden ASAP. As good as they have been the last two seasons, they are 11-13 in their last 24 games. I feel the letdown. Predators at home is always a solid play.

Pick: Nashville (-108)