Sean Murphy

My selection is on New York minus the points over Cleveland at 8 pm et on Monday.

Pretty simple logic here as the Giants are coming off a loss to the Steelers in their preseason opener while the Browns outlasted the Saints last week. I'm confident we'll see the G-Men bounce back in this matchup. Remember, Cleveland went winless in last year's preseason while the Giants split their four contests. The Browns are trying to lay a solid foundation here in August after a disastrous 2016 campaign. My concern here this week is that they'll likely give Brock Osweiler a longer look under center, whereas last week it was DeShone Kizer seeing the bulk of the action, and he looked good while he was in there. I'm not sure that Osweiler will fare so well against the Giants. Take New York (10*).

National League Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Los Angeles and Pittsburgh at 7:05 pm et on Monday.

We should see a terrific pitcher's duel between the Dodgers and Pirates on Monday night as Alex Wood squares off against Gerrit Cole. Wood is enjoying a career season, having gone 14-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. He has worked at least six innings in each of his last four starts, allowing two earned runs or less in each of his last three outings. Note that the 'under' has cashed in Wood's last two starts. Cole has lasted at least six innings in eight straight starts. He has been tagged for 10 earned runs in his last three trips to the hill but I see him stepping up against an elite opponent here. Note that Cole's home starts are averaging just a shade north of 7.5 total runs per contest this season. Take the under (10*).