As a founding member of the “Just The BetSlips” live show, I can tell you right now that gambling (responsibly) is a major part of my life. The art of crafting the perfect picks, and the best parlays, is a bit of an art form to me. It’s a way to keep the mind sharp, the mood happy, and the wallet (hopefully) full.

It’s a bit of a fun hobby, when done responsibly. But the question is; what am I picking tonight? What are my favorite plays that I’m salivating over? Well……

1. Josh Jung 1+ Hits & Texas Rangers ML (-120):

If you make bets regularly and you are not gambling AGAINST the Colorado Rockies, then you are doing it all wrong. You are not taking advantage of one of the best plays of the year, and you should be ashamed of yourself. This team, who is currently sitting at 7-35 as of writing this, is an absolute DUMPSTER FIRE of an organization……but are so DAMN GOOD at making me money.

They are the absolute worst, which leads me to believe that someone like Josh Jung should be able to muster up one lousy hit against them. He is currently batting .282  to begin the year, and is in the middle of a four-game hitting streak for Texas. He is facing Rockies SP Antonio Senzatela, who has arguably been one of the league’s worst pitchers to begin the 2025 campaign (5.77 ERA).

Put those two points together, and you have yourself a recipe for a big-time performance-double. But with the way these two offenses have been……don’t be surprised if the under hits as well.

2. Tarik Skubal 8+ Ks & Kerry Carpenter 1+ Hits & Tigers ML (+165):

The Detroit Tigers have been a fun group of humans to watch this season, as they sit at 28-15 to begin 2025. They are currently in the midst of their best start since 2014, ranking Top-5 in all of Major League Baseball in both runs scored and ERA. And today, they are facing a Boston Red Sox squad that is trying to find an identity of their own.

Boston is having a “meh” start to 2025, and I think Tarik Skubal is going to capitalize on that. As of right now, Skubal is having yet another masterful season on the mound; posting a 1.13 ERA at home, to go with his 2.08 ERA overall. With the 2024 Cy Young award winner facing a squad that ranks 3rd in K’s per game (9.14), and Skubal striking out this Sox lineup at a 21.8% clip; I don’t see why he can’t hit this mark at Comerica this evening.

3. Auston Matthews 3+ SOG & Over 5.5 Total Goals (+130):

Now we move to the ice, where the team with the warmest climate will face off against the team with the coldest climate. It will be Game 5 of this Eastern Conference 2nd round match-up, with the Florida Panthers facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

These two teams have been locked in a heated battle all series long, with both the Panthers and Leafs taking two games on their own home ice. But the best part of it all? There have been GOALS A PLENTY through these first five games, with the over SMACKING four separate times. So because of that……why not let it hit again? Especially between two teams who are no-strangers to overs in these playoffs (FLA 7-2, TOR 6-4).

Then, to add a little extra juice to the bet; I will also be taking Maple Leafs’ C Auston Matthews to put 3+ shots on goal. He has achieved this feat in all but one game this postseason, and as Toronto’s leading man……it would just be CRAZY for him to not do it again.

This is going to be a big-time night, but I want to hear what YOU think of my bets! Make sure to let me know at @KShermanSports on X(Twitter), and as always……what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.