Even with Marcus Stroman eying a third straight strong start, the Cubs face a daunting task by trying to keep the visiting Rays from handing them a fifth straight defeat today in the opener of a three-game series. Tampa Bay is a major-league-best 39-16 and leads the majors in several offensive categories, including runs (335), batting average (.273), on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.848) and homers (101). The Rays totaled 38 runs in taking four of their last five following Sunday's wild 11-10 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago is 11-24 since opening 11-6 and has been outscored 35-11 during their current four-game skid. Chicago has an 8.00 ERA in those last four games, with its starters having allowed 17 earned runs and 29 hits over 17 1/3 innings. Consider that the over is 21-8-1 in Rays last 30 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.

I'm usually not about chalk and big numbers in this situation, but Miami just had one of the most heartbreaking losses in the history of the NBA playoffs. Not to mention that they nearly won a game where Butler and Adebayo's jump shots were M.I.A. Butler's performance has regressed in the last two games where he's starting to show some fatigue. He's getting no lift on his jumpers and drives and it shows where Boston had blocked his shot 10 times in this series. Boston has also found a way to slow down Adebayo with the length of Robert Williams and the experience of Al Horford. Martin, Max Strus, Vincent and Duncan Robinson are not enough to defeat a more athletic Boston team even without Malcolm Brogdon. Tatum will go bonkers at home in Game 7.

The Golden Knights are hoping to close out the series, win the upcoming game on the road, and avoid playing a Game Seven. However, the Stars have all the momentum in this series and look to step up on their home ice and control Game Six. The Stars, who have scored seven goals in the last two games, should find the back of the net at will with Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Stars, who have only allowed four goals in the last two games, should limit the Golden Knights' offense with Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jake Oettinger to make plenty of big saves. The Stars should win Game Six to force a winner-take-all game with a strong performance on their home ice.

The Orioles had a rough weekend against a powerful Rangers lineup but things should quickly turn around for the Orioles facing the light-hitting Guardians. Orioles starter Wells has thrived at home this season with an ERA of just 2.64 and faces a Guardians team that is last in baseball in runs per game and just 28th in batting average. The Orioles, meanwhile, are hitting .260 vs. left-handed pitching this season and .264 during the day. The Orioles love to run, ranking third in baseball in stolen bases, and Cleveland is just 20th in the league in throwing out runners. Expect the Orioles to grind out at-bats and run early and often against the Guardians on Monday afternoon to generate runs.

Both teams are more than capable of putting up runs but the Rays have been the better team when it comes to holding the opposition in check. Bradley has pitched well in his first taste of the majors as he is up as a matter of necessity with Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen on the shelf. Stroman turned in his best start of the year against the Mets in his last start but has been spotty against Tampa Bay in his career going 5-8 with a 5.04 ERA in 16 career starts against them. He yielded eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-2 home loss to Tampa Bay last season. This Rays team is loaded with talent and confidence, which is something that can’t be overlooked by any stretch of the imagination. Look for Tampa Bay to come into the Windy City and take the opening game of this series thanks to their ability to come up with clutch hits, something the Cubs have lacked in all season.

With a couple of convalescents on the mound, I can only rely on Atlanta’s offense to make a difference. Also, Oakland’s bullpen is arguably the worst in baseball and sits at 6.36 ERA and 5.50 FIP for the season. The Athletics’ relievers have accounted for a 5.05 ERA and 4.32 FIP in the last ten days and 35.2 innings of work, while the Braves’ bullpen has thrown 33.2 frames in that span, posting a 4.54 ERA and 3.85 FIP. The Braves have won 11 consecutive games against the Athletics dating back to 2008. Atlanta is undoubtedly a much better offensive team than Oakland.