Sean Murphy

My selection is on Chicago over San Francisco at 3:45 pm et on Thursday.

While it's tempting to back the Giants to complete the series sweep with their ace, Logan Webb, on the mound on Thursday, we'll go the other way and get behind the Cubs to snap their skid at a generous price. Webb does enter this start in terrific form off consecutive solid outings. However, he's just 12-9 this season and a modest 36-32 going back to the start of 2023, indicating good pitching doesn't always equate to wins when it comes to the Giants. I like Cubs starter Shota Imanaga in this spot as he has seemingly turned the corner after a rough patch, allowing just three earned runs on six hits over his last two outings, covering a span of 14 innings. On the season, he owns a terrific 0.94 WHIP and is now 23-9 in his two-year big league career. While this game does figure to be a battle between two terrific starting pitchers, I think the Cubs will come up with the clutch hits to secure a much-needed victory. Take Chicago (8*).

N.L. Central Game of the Month. My selection is on Pittsburgh over St. Louis at 2:15 pm et on Thursday.

The Cardinals were fortunate to eke out a walk-off victory in the opener of this series on Monday but since then the Pirates have taken two straight games, outscoring St. Louis by a 10-4 margin. I look for the Buccos to prevail again on Thursday and we're being offered a generous price to back them, all things considered. Braxton Ashcraft will get the start for Pittsburgh. He's made three starts since being re-inserted into the rotation earlier this month and has pitched well, posting a 2-1 team record while allowing just two earned runs in 13 1/3 innings. He'll face a Cardinals lineup that ranks 25th in the majors in weighted on base average and 27th in isolated power over the last week. Miles Mikolas counters for the Cards. This season has been another grind for the veteran right-hander as he has logged a 5.01 FIP and 1.36 WHIP while going 6-10 in 25 starts. He doesn't bring good form to the table having allowed seven earned runs in 7 2/3 innings of work over his last two outings - both resulting in Cards losses. Take Pittsburgh (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Boise State and South Florida at 5:30 pm et on Thursday August 28th.

I can understand the logic behind this total being set in the 60's, after all the last time we saw South Florida it was lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 40+ points in four of its final six games last season including a wild five-overtime 41-39 victory over San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.

Boise State projects as one of the nation's top-25 teams and comes off an electric year offensively that saw it score 50+ points on four different occasions. I think this season-opener will prove lower-scoring than expected, however.

South Florida has a quarterback conundrum of sorts with two potential starters in the fold in Byrum Brown - who had his season cut short due to injury last year - and Bryce Archie - who stepped in for Brown and arguably outshined him down the stretch.

Losing their two three runners from a year ago doesn't help the Bulls cause. They don't have a ton of proven talent in the passing game either with Keshaun Singleton potentially their top option after catching only 25 passes for 428 yards last year.

Defensively, the Bulls figure to be improved. They have a lot of depth thanks to the transfer portal and plenty of returning talent and experience. This is a group that did make some positive strides a year ago and can take another step forward in 2025 but it has to start in this tough matchup with Boise State.

The Broncos don't get better offensively by losing RB Ashton Jeanty to the NFL. The passing game is led by returning QB starter Maddux Madsen. He had a terrific 2024 campaign but was undoubtedly helped by opponents focusing much of their efforts on Jeanty. TE Matt Lauter might be the best option in the passing game out of the gate. While this offense will be elite once again, I think we could see a big of a slow start - relatively speaking.

Defensively, the Broncos don't get enough credit for their consistency. I like the matchup here as Boise State is absolutely loaded from the back-end in with one of the better secondaries in the nation. There's not a ton of size up front but that it lacks in that department it makes up for in athleticism and speed. I like the way this matchup sets up for the Broncos defense against a Bulls offense that might not be so sure of itself in Week 1. Take the under (8*).