My selection is on Minnesota +1.5 runs over Boston at 1:40 pm et on Wednesday.

The 'avoid the sweep' crowd figures to be out in full force backing the Red Sox in this game. We've already taken advantage of that once this season, cashing with the Astros as they wrapped up a series sweep of Boston two weeks ago. We'll do the same with the red hot Twins on Wednesday. Minnesota ranks third in the majors in xwOBA over the last week. It also sits seventh in wOBA against left-handed pitching this season and it will face a southpaw starter in Connelly Early of the Red Sox on Wednesday. Early is off to a fine start by some metrics, including a 2.94 FIP through three outings. However, he has allowed 22-of-61 (36%) of batters he has faced to reach base and given how well Minnesota has been hitting, it is likely to take advantage here. Simeon Woods Richardson will counter for the Twins. He doesn't instill a ton of confidence but will be facing a Red Sox club that ranks 24th in baseball in wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. Current Boston hitters have gone a healthy 7-for-22 (.318) but with only a .764 OPS against Woods Richardson. We're talking about a small sample size and only one of those seven hits went for extra bases. Of the nine Red Sox hitters that have seen Woods Richardson, only five have collected a hit and just one has more than one hit (Isiah Kiner-Falefa - a part-time player - is 3-for-4 with three singles). We'll grab the insurance run here as the Twins bullpen has admittedly struggled in the early going this season. While Minnesota's bullpen numbers are gawdy for the most part, it has managed to convert five saves while blowing only one. Take Minnesota +1.5 runs (8*).

My selection is on New York over Tampa Bay at 7:05 pm et on Wednesday.

With last night's loss by the Canadiens, the Lightning wrapped up home ice in their opening round playoff matchup. I don't expect to see a peak effort from the Bolts on Wednesday as the wrap up the regular season and get ready for what promises to be a gruelling playoff run in an ultra-competitive Eastern Conference. The Rangers dropped a 3-2 decision against the Panthers in Sunrise two nights ago. It's been another lost season for the Blueshirts and they enter Wednesday's finale on a three-game losing streak, including an 0-2 mark on their current road trip. New York has played its best hockey on the road this season and I look for it to bounce back against what is likely to be a makeshift Lightning squad on Wednesday. Of note, the Bolts are coming off consecutive wins but haven't won three games in a row since March 17th to 21st and that was their only three-game or longer winning streak going back to February 26th. Take New York (8*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Golden State and Los Angeles at 10 pm et on Wednesday.

It takes a lot to speed up these two teams and I don't think this 'loser goes home' type of environment favors that happening on Wednesday. Of course the Warriors and Clippers just played each other to close out the regular season on Sunday with Los Angeles prevailing 115-110 in what was a fairly slow paced game. The difference in that contest was the Clippers getting to the free throw line 32 times - only the third time since the start of February they managed to get to the charity stripe 30+ times. I expect the Warriors, and the Clippers for that matter, to take a disciplined approach to this critical matchup. Golden State's best chance at staging the 'upset' here comes by shortening proceedings, noting that it has connected on 42 or fewer field goals in eight straight and 12 of its last 14 games overall. The Clippers haven't been much better offensively, making good on 42 or fewer field goals in four straight and eight of their last 10 contests. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on Detroit over Florida at 7:05 pm et on Wednesday.

The Red Wings certainly haven't played their best hockey down the stretch, falling out of the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with nine losses over their last 12 games. They enter Wednesday's season finale in Sunrise on a two-game slide but I do look for them to salvage this one. Florida has of course been ravaged by injuries and has essentially iced its 'B' squad over the final weeks of the season. With that being said, the Panthers are on a two-game winning streak. I don't like the spot here, however, as they face a healthy Red Wings team that will look to avenge a pair of losses suffered at the hands of the Panthers in March. Of note, Florida has just one winning streak lasting more than two games since January 27th. Take Detroit (8*).

Play-In Tournament Game of the Year. My selection is on Orlando plus the points over Philadelphia at 7:30 pm et on Wednesday.

The Magic couldn't avoid the play-in tournament as they fell in 'upset' fashion on the road against a scrappy but undermanned Celtics team on Sunday. Off that disappointing setback, a lot of bettors are expecting them to simply fold the tent but I see it going the other way as they head to Philadelphia for Wednesday's 7-8 showdown. The pressure isn't quite as high in this matchup as the loser still gets another shot to advance to the first round of the playoffs, squaring off against the winner of the 9-10 game. Regardless, I feel the Magic are the better team in this matchup, even if the 76ers finished ahead of them by way of a tie-breaker. Prior to Sunday's stunning defeat, Orlando had won five games in a row SU and three straight ATS. Of note, it has suffered just one ATS losing streak going back to March 3rd and it hasn't lost consecutive games SU since a six-game slide in March. The 76ers have dealt with injury issues all season and were dealt a serious blow to their chances when Joel Embiid was forced to have an appendectomy last week. Philadelphia did manage to save face by winning its final two regular season games including a blowout win over the lowly Bucks on Sunday. However, they had dropped the cash in four straight games prior to Sunday's victory and are just 13-17 ATS over their last 30 contests. Home court advantage has meant little in this particular matchup this season with the road team taking two of three meetings. Take Orlando (10*).