Johnny’s Quick Picks March 28 2024
JOHNNY’S QUICK PICKS MARCH 28, 2024
MARTINSBURG, West Virginia—-
It’s opening day in the MLB and I’m pumped! Lets go! We have baseball, basketball, hockey and apple pie! Let’s throw in a six-pack of PBR and life is good! Sammy The Cat – my beloved male tabby loves baseball and loves watching Astros game while sitting on my lap! Well, he’s in luck today at 4:00PM EST! This is going to be a great year! Go STROS! Oh, wait…did someone say…Josh Hader?…
This is the real MLB opening day, not that South Korea nonsense.
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Read below for Johnny’s Quick Picks for March 28 2024
MLB BABY!
Yankees at Astros (-150)
Houston is ready to roll at home to get this season started. Their last two losses at home to Texas to blow the ALCS really sting and it’s left a stink over Minute Maid. They get out the air freshener today. Nothing like beating the Yankees, who rarely play well in Houston. Framber Valdez got knocked out in the first inning his last time out in a major league game. Astros on an avenge mission.
Pick: Houston (-150)
Cubs at Texas (-120)
The Rangers will be celebrating their first World Series crown in front of a record crowd, as they unveil their flag in front of their loyalists. Nathan Evoldi is always tough in April.
Pick: Texas (-120)
Twins at Royals (+120)
Fear the kids this season. Speed, pitching, more speed, more pitching. I love this young team. They pop off a win today and get going.
Pick: Royals (+120)
Related: Twins vs. Royals Pick and Prediction
Pirates (+110) at Marlins
The Bucs’ Mitch Keller just got a big new contract. The Marlins fired their lady GM after making the playoffs. Buccos are the team to watch.
Pick: Pirates (+110)
Nats at Reds (-155)
Reds always win at home on opening day!
(Editor’s Note: Outside of the COVID season, the Reds are 1-5 SU in their past six Opening Day games and have not won on Opening Day since 2019.)
Pick: Reds (-155)
Detroit at ChiSox (+160)
Detroit starter Tarik Skubal is one of the best pitchers in the game that’s under the radar screen. Plus he’s had a great spring.
He goes up here against a Chicago White Sox squad that was awful last year against left-handed pitching. Chicago is a bad team. I’ll be fading the South Siders a lot this season.
Pick: Tigers (-160)
College Hoops
Illinois (+1.5) Vs. Iowa State
Iowa State should have lost to Washington State. The Cyclones won the game behind the arc. Tough to count on that again!
The Illini is the second-best team in the Big Ten. They come in winning nine of 10.
Here’s my rub with Iowa State: the Cyclones lack a consistent offense. Illinois is scoring juggernaut. The Illini also have the most dynamic scorer on the court in Terrence Shannon. This kid is banging in 30 a game. I want the ball in his hands at the end. The Illini could make the final four.
Pick: Illinois (+1.5)
Related: Jack’s Sweet 16 Power Rankings
NHL
Calgary (+115) at Blues
Why is Calgary the underdog here? I don’t get it. They are a better team and decent on the road. Good value play.
