The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs play game two of their three game series here on Wednesday. The Cubs took the opener on Tuesday, 7-2. The Astros continue to sputter in 2024 as they have not only lost three straight and seven of their last 10 games, but also are in last place in the AL West with a 7-17 record. In addition, they have a -33 run differential thus far. The Chicago Cubs have won seven of their last 10 games and have a +23 run differential to go with their 14-9 record. The Cubs are just a half game back in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The Astros will send Spencer Arrighetti to the hill today. He's 0-2 in his two starts with a 11.57 ERA and 2.286 WHIP. He's allowed 11 hits and nine runs over his seven innings of work. He also has five walks to just eight KO's. Jameson Taillon will toe the rubber for the Cubs. Taillon is 1-0 in his only start with a 1.80 ERA and 0.600 WHIP. He got the win vs the Marlins, going five innings and allowing just three hits and one run. A bit surprised the Cubs such a small favorite here tonight. The oddsmakers still giving lots of props to what the Astros could be and not are at this point. Take the Cubs.

 The NY Mets and San Francisco Giants conclude their 3-game series here on Wednesday. The Giants look for the sweep after holding the Mets to just three total runs in the previous two games. The Giants can get back to the .500 mark with another win here early on Wednesday. The Giants are 12-13 overall and two-games back of the Dodgers in the NL West. The Giants also have a -14 run differential. The Mets dropped to 12-11 with the loss and are 6-4 over their last 10 games. They have lost three straight and have an overall +4 run differential. The Mets will start Sean Manaea here today with his 1-1 record after four starts. He also has a 4.12 ERA and 1.373 WHIP. Other than one bad start where he allowed six runs over 3 2/3 innings to the Royals, Manaea has been very good allowing just three earned runs over his other three starts. Blake Snell came over from the Padres in the offseason but has yet to perform up to his standards of previous seasons. Snell is 0-3 in his three starts with a huge 11.57 ERA and 1.971 WHIP. He hasn't made it out of the fifth inning yet and has allowed 15 runs over just 11 2/3 innings. I'm taking the Mets to take game three and avoid the sweep. Play New York.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and St Louis Cardinals conclude their 3-game set here today. The D'backs look to take the series as the two teams have split the first two games with the D'backs clubbing the Cards last night, 14-1 and losing on Monday, 3-5. Arizona can get back to .500 with a win today. They are 12-13 and two games back of the Dodgers in the NL West. The D'backs do have the best run differential in the NL West at +39 as they can score runs in bunches. The Cardinals looking for something as they have lost seven of their last 10 games and are stuck in last in the NL Central with a 10-14 record. They trail first place Milwaukee by five-games. The D'backs will send Jordan Montgomery to the hill today. Montgomery is 1-0 in his only start. He went six innings at San Francisco and allowed just four hits and one run for the Win in a 17-1 blasting by the Padres. The Cardinals will send Kyle Gibson to the hill for the fifth time. Gibson is 1-2 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.200 WHIP. Gibson has started two games at home and is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA. I'm sticking with the hard hitting D'backs in this one as I look for Montgomery to put up another great effort. Play Arizona.

NBA Western Conference action here tonight has the New Orleans Pelicans taking on the Thunder from Oklahoma City. This is game two of the series as the Thunder look to hold home court advantage and go back to New Orleans up 2-0. The Thunder took game one in a very close matchup, 94-92 on Sunday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points in the win. Thunder CJ McCollum missed a 3-pointer as time ran out for the possible win. New Orleans led at half and had chances to take game one despite a raucous crowd all wearing white. The Pelicans will have to shoot better than their 38.5% in game one if they hope to steal a game in OKC. Game one left a lot to be desired for offense on both sides. Both teams shot poor from the field and the 3-point arc. The Pelicans did control the glass in game one and will have to do so again here tonight. The youth of the Thunder showed in game one with a sub-par performance. Still a lot of points tonight as I expect another close game down to the wire. Take New Orleans.