Sean Murphy

Interleague Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between New York and Cleveland at 1:10 pm et on Thursday.

On what is forecast to be a hot and humid afternoon in Cleveland, I think this total will prove too low. Bettors figure to be chasing the 'under' after a couple of relatively high-scoring affairs to open this series. The starting pitching matchup may appear to support such a play but a deeper look has me backing the 'over'. Mets starter Nolan McLean has terrific stuff but he can also have command issues and if he starts handing out free passes on Thursday, the Guardians are capable of taking advantage of the favorable weather conditions. Cleveland generated a ton of scoring opportunities last night and New York was fortunate to hold it to just five runs. Meanwhile, New York has been scrappy offensively in recent games and will look to take advantage of newly-acquired Guardians starter Foster Griffin's poor current form. He allowed six earned runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in his last start with the Nationals. Of note, four of his five July outings totalled at least eight runs. He faced the Mets back on May 19th and allowed five earned runs on eight hits over five innings in a 9-6 victory. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Las Vegas minus the points over Indiana at 7 pm et on Thursday.

I really like the way this spot sets up for the Aces who will be looking to avenge a pair of earlier lopsided defeats at home against the Fever. Indiana has been idle since Sunday's loss in Minnesota which snapped its five-game winning streak. The Fever have been awful defensively in recent weeks, allowing seven straight opponents to connect on 30+ field goals. However, their offense has been red hot to say the last. I do think the three-day layoff hurts their cause here, as does the fact that they're facing one of the league's better defensive teams in the Aces. While known for their offense, the Aces have limited the opposition to 44% or worse shooting in three of their last four contests. Like Indiana, Las Vegas has also been red hot offensively, making good on 32 or more field goals in six straight games heading in to this one. Take Las Vegas (8*).

My selection is on Toronto plus the points over Calgary at 7:30 pm et on Thursday.

This line is a little baffling to me. Both teams check in 3-4 on the season but it's been an incredibly difficult road for Toronto as it will be playing its first true home game of the season on Thursday (it was displaced due to the World Cup being played in its home stadium, BMO Field). Calgary comes in satisfied having won consecutive road games in Winnipeg and Hamilton, scoring a whopping 96 points in the process. Toronto, meanwhile, comes off a much-needed bye week and figures to be feeling pretty good about itself after notching a 26-12 victory on the road against the Lions on July 25th. Of note, while Calgary did score 44 points against a banged-up Tiger-Cats squad on Saturday, it actually gained only 338 total yards. The Stampeders took full advantage of three Hamilton turnovers in that contest. In fact, Calgary has racked up a ridiculous seven turnovers over its last two games. If there's one thing Toronto generally doesn't do it's beat itself. The Argonauts have turned the football over just twice in their last three games combined. Take Toronto (8*).

My selection is on Arizona plus the points over Carolina at 8 pm et on Thursday August 6th.

I'm going to jump on this play early as I like the way it sets up with the Cardinals currently priced as a small underdog. Arizona has the 'nobody believes in us' mentality entering this season with most picking it to finish last in the NFC or even the league. The Cardinals have a new head coach in Mike LaFleur and I actually like the hire and the fact that expectations are low across the board. Kyler Murray is gone and the quarterback room leaves a lot to be desired to be sure. I do think there's going to be a healthy competition at the position, even though Jacoby Brissett is essentially the incumbent and the starting role is most likely his. Last season, the Cards defense in particular suffered from a number of key injuries that held it back. I do like their depth on that side of the football and think they can be a sneaky-good preseason bet this year. While Cards fans aren't known for travelling well, they should have a presence here with Larry Fitzgerald being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Panthers are hoping to continue to progress after reaching the postseason and putting a scare into the Rams on Wild Card Weekend. Their sights are set on the regular season with the preseason holding little importance other than settling starting jobs and staying healthy. It's always important to tread lightly in the preseason but I do like the Cards chances of taking this one. Take Arizona (8*).

My selection is on San Diego over Arizona at 9:40 pm et on Thursday.

It always requires a leap of faith of sorts backing the Padres when Walker Buehler takes the ball. If nothing else, he has eaten some innings for them lately and San Diego has actually reeled off victories in each of his last four starts. I do look for the Padres to rebound here off last night's blowout defeat. Their lineup figures to overpower Diamondbacks starter Kohl Drake, who will be making just his fourth big league start. San Diego owns the bullpen edge as well, especially with Arizona's relief corps depleted after placing Ryan Thompson on the I.L. with a lower back strain yesterday. The price is right to back San Diego in this rebound spot. Take San Diego (8*).