Mary C

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

INTER MILAN: 

GK | Samir Handanovic 

D | Milan Skriniar 

D | Stefan de Vrij 

D | Federico Dimarco 

MF | Matteo Darmian 

MF | Arturo Vidal 

MF | Marcelo Brozovic 

MF | Roberto Gagliardini 

MF | Ivan Perisic 

F | Edin Dzeko 

F | Lautaro Martinez 

EMPOLI: 

GK | Guglielmo Vicario 

D | Simone Romagnoli 

D | Mattia Viti 

D | Sebastiano Luperto 

D | Fabiano Parisi 

MF | Liam Henderson 

MF | Kristjan Asllani 

MF | Szymon Zurkowski 

F | Andrea La Mantia 

F | Federico Di Francesco 

F | Andrea Pinamonti 

Empoli, along with Andrea Pinamonti, is set to take the road to San Siro stadium on Saturday where they will square off with Inter Milan. Inter Milan, 22-9-4, is currently 2nd in Serie A while Empoli, 9-10-16, ranks 14th in Serie A. For the upcoming match, Inter Milan knows well that they cannot take the risk of committing any errors as they race for the Serie A title in the following weeks, which means that Simone Inzaghi’s men need to win all of their games for the month. Empoli, on the other hand, is one point away from securing Serie A safety for the next season, and they will be positive about getting on the score sheet with one goal in their last three games, to say the least. Inter players however require three points in this game to hold their ground with Milan which means they are expected to work more for maximum points in the final weeks. 

Inter is heading into this game with a strong league form, having won five of their last six league games. They are expected to lock in all three points in this tie since Empoli is on thin ice after winning only one out of thirteen league games since the start of the year. As if things could not get any better for Inter, in the past few weeks, they have been scoring goals on a regular basis. They were able to score 14 goals in their last six league outings. The only downside is that Inter has struggled in terms of stopping conceding goals. One of the most awaited Inter players is Edin Dzeko. In his pro soccer career, he had a starting assignment in 362 outings. He has tallied 214 goals scored in the 33,722 minutes he played, with a total of  67 assists. Another player that is anticipated to impact the upcoming match is Lautaro Martinez. Throughout his career, Martinez has assisted on a goal 18 times while also scoring 76 total goals. He had a starting assignment in 133 outings. Currently, he averages 0.60 goals per 90 minutes. 

Empoli’s last game was anything but victorious as they were defeated by Torino in a final of 3-1. They concluded the match by converting 219 out of 233 passes tried for a rate of 94.0%. Empoli managed to connect 4 out of 8 dribbles attempted, which enabled them to finish with a 50.0% successful dribble percentage. Out of 11 shots attempted, they had 4 shots on goal which had them at a 36.4% rate when they were last in the field. With a total of 43 goals and 19 assists, Empoli has an average of 1.23 goals and 0.54 assists per 90 minutes. Forward Andrea Pinamonti should be able to boost Empoli as he has scored 23 goals and assisted on a goal 6 times. During his pro soccer career, he has also tallied 7 yellow card warnings. Currently, Pinamonti is averaging 0.31 goals per 90 minutes and has had a starting assignment in 71 matches. Nedim Bajrami is also believed to be one of the players to watch out for as he has been handed 10 yellow card cautions in total. He also has had 125 career starting assignments. Throughout his career, he has been averaging 0.18 goals per 90 minutes, with 22 goals and 20 assists in total.  

Since Milan is not set to play until Sunday, Inter has the opportunity to claim the top spot in the Serie A– that is if they manage to defeat Empoli. Seeing Empoli’s current form, we can predict that Inter might just steal the top spot from Milan. Unfortunately for Empoli, they are most likely to face yet another defeat as they take on the high-flying Inter. 

12:45 AM (PST), Saturday, 7 May 2022. San Siro stadium, Milan, Italy. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

MANCHESTER CITY: 

G | Bravo Ederson 

CB | Otamendi Stones, Mangala Laporte 

L FB | Zinchenko Mendy 

R FB | Walker Cancelo 

C MF | Roori Fernandinho 

L MF | Foden Silva 

R MF | Gundogan De Bruyne 

W | Sane Sterling, Mahrez B. Silva 

CF | Jesus Aguero 

REAL MADRID: 

G | Thibaut Courtois 

CB | David Alaba, Eder Militao 

L FB | Ferland Mendy 

R FB | Dani Carvajal 

C MF | Casemiro 

L MF | Toni Kroos 

R MF | Luka Modric  

W | Vinicius Junior, Marco Asensio 

CF | Karim Benzema  

As they follow one of the most remarkable and recent Champions League semifinal first leg ties, Real Madrid is set to go against Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu in pursuit of the second leg on Thursday night. Given the changes in the away goals rule, it will be particularly challenging in the upcoming match. Currently, Manchester City has a four-win streak, with three from the English Premier League, and one from the UEFA Champions League. They hold the top spot in EPL with 26-5-3, 83 points. Real Madrid, on the other hand, is number 1 in La Liga with 25-6-3, 81 points.  

Manchester City won leg 1 of 2 against Real Madrid last April 28 in a tight 4-3 game. The Citizens scored 16 shots on goal while Los Blancos scored 11. Kevin De Bruyne had the fastest goal in Champions League semifinal history when he opened the scoring inside two minutes; that is until Gabriel Jesus doubled the lead after nine minutes. For the second leg, it is expected that Manchester City will have the upper hand after they outplayed Madrid for the most part of the first half at the Etihad Stadium. To add, Guardiola remains restless as he becomes more eager to claim the European title, especially since their victory over Leeds United places them one point clear of Liverpool at the summit. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s men enjoyed their weekend after confirming their win for the LaLiga Santander title. However, it is still too early to celebrate as they still have to stop Pep Guardiola, who is on high alert. While Los Blancos managed to overthrow Paris Saint-Germain out of the tournament in the last-16 stage of this season by overturning a one goal deficit, they have never made their way through to the final when they lose the semifinal first leg. If the club is aiming for a 14th European crown, they cannot afford to repeat their mistakes in the past. The top two players of the team, Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Jr., are expected to kickstart the game. Unfortunately for the Madrid, Gareth Bale is out with a back injury, and David Alba could also be out of the match due to a minor muscular issue which could render the Los Blancos weak in defense. 

We predict that Manchester City is more likely to win 6-5 on aggregate. If Man City focuses on their strength which is to attack, they can contain Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior– two players from Madrid who can pluck goals out of nowhere. With the pressure of winning the European title weighing on Man City’s shoulders, we can only expect them to work more. 

Thursday, May 5, 3 AM PST, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

VILLARREAL:  

G | Geronimo Rulli 

CB | Pau Torres, Raul Albiol 

L FB | Pervis Estupiñan 

R FB | Juan Foyth 

C MF | Dani Parejo, Etienne Capoue 

A MF | Francis Coquelin, Giovani Lo Celco 

W | Arnaut Danjuma, Samuel Chukwueze 

LIVERPOOL: 

G | Alisson 

CB | Joel Matip, Virgil van Djik 

L FB | Andrew Robertson 

R FB | Trent Alexander-Arnold 

C MF | Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson 

L MF | Luis Diaz 

R MF | Diogo Jota 

ST | Sadio Mane 

With three days to recover, Villarreal is set to host Wednesday’s game against Liverpool. Following a 2-0 game in favor of Liverpool, it was a stressful game for Villarreal. Besides, of course, losing, manager Unai Emery had the perfect master plan to stop Liverpool’s winning streak, but alas it was all for nothing. Playing home, English men, courtesy of coach Jurgen Klopp, outmaneuvered the Spanish with ease. As May 4’s game inches closer, Villarreal now has the upper hand in playing home. At Estadio de la Cerámica, will Villarreal bare their teeth once again, or will they crumble to the pressure of playing against the visiting Premier League club? 

After last week’s tumble, extra pressure is now placed on Emery after his game plan got foiled, which consequently puts the players on edge, too, they’re the ones playing after all. The Spanish teams need to go all out with this one if they want to pull a win from Liverpool. Currently ranking 7th in La Liga with a 14-10-10 record across the board, they’ve collected 52 points to stand. 

On the visiting side of the field, the EPL, the club, and fans rejoice as Klopp renews his contract ‘til 2026, but as for everyone else? Probably not as excited. Klopp has always been a force to be reckoned with, from his days as a player leading up to his coaching career. His talents put alongside the Liverpool ton have created excellent chemistry as they’ve racked up 25 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses in the Premier League. With 82 points in total, they’re 30 points above Villareal’s La Liga score. 

Okay, we get it, Liverpool is showing a sizeable advantage, but the second leg could still be a whole new story for the teams. Villarreal’s goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has admitted that he saw their loss coming as they visited Liverpool, but that doesn’t mean they can’t turn things around, and he’s right. A new game’s a new game.  

Now, who will it be for May 4th? We’re going to have to side with Liverpool for this one. As Klopp has just newly re-established his contract, morale is high among him and his team. Another reason is that with their last matchup’s turnouts and their recent loss to Alaves, a considerably “weaker” team, it’s not looking good. What more if they go against one of the best in the game? However, we can very much count on Villareal to make this match harder for Liverpool to win, and there’s nothing more we love than a good game. 

3 AM (PST), Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal, Spain.  

The battlefield for next DPC Tour 3 contenders is BTS Pro Series S11. Imagine this a sneak peek at who will be competing in the final Tour. The rivalry between the DPC (2021-22) Tour 2 defeated squads is more thrilling than it appears. 

 For one thing, the competitors include those who were unable to qualify for the Stockholm Major 2022. 

As expected, the BTS Pro Series Season 11 attracted many competitors, with 13 teams from Southeast Asia and the Americas competing. However, following the pivotal Phase 1 matches, just nine clubs will compete in Phase 2. 

Execration, Army Geniuses, and Motivate.Trust Gaming are among the notable prospects for the BTS Pro Series Season 11 Southeast Asia Phase 1 including beginner teams UD Vessuwan, Patriots, KOBOLDS, M Y, and Yangon Galacticos. Polaris Esports, Nigma Galaxy SEA, Neon Esports, Lilgun, and RSG are among the invited guests in Phase 2 seeding. 

Being a Polaris Esports supporter right now is quite unpleasant as they failed to advance for the Stockholm Major. Despite making their Division 1 premiere, Polaris is considered a top seed among DPC SEA competitors. 

Polaris, being the fourth-place team in DPC SEA Tour 2, poses the greatest challenge to the other teams. Their battle technique and synchronization astounded the audience. Polaris can provide better teams a run for their money even if their drafting and power balancing into the late game should be improved.  

It’s Neon vs Polaris today, May 3 at 7 PM! Bring on your A-game, and bet on the team you’re rooting exclusively at 747 Live! Want to have access to betting? Send us a message, and we’ll create your account in time for the game!  

Watch the BTS Pro Series Season 11 this week and next. 747 Live provides exclusive odds. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

BARCELONA: 

G | Marc-André Ter Stegen 

CB | Gerard Piqué, Ronald Araújo 

L FB | Jordi Alba 

R FB | Dani Alves 

C MF | Sergio Busquets 

L MF | Gavi 

R MF | Frenkie de Jong 

CF | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 

LF | Ferran Torres 

RF | Ousmane Dembélé 

REAL MALLORCA: 

G | Sergio Rico 

CB | Antonio Raíllo, Martin Valjent 

LB | Brain Oliván  

RB | Pablo Maffeo 

CM | Salva Sevilla, Iddrisu Baba 

LM | Dani Rodríguez 

RM | Antonio Sánchez 

CF | Takefusa Kubo, Abdón Prats 

Crack open the cervezas as the wait is finally over, it is time for the La Liga clash between the two superstars with a bone to pick, Barcelona and Real Mallorca. Looking to garner points for the La Liga title, home team Barcelona is ready to welcome Real Mallorca at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain for the upcoming match this Monday. The anticipated matchup is scheduled for 3 AM Philippine Standard Time on May 2, 2022.  

Let us take a look back at the performance of the red and blue home team to understand the stakes they are competing for. Per latest news, the results sheet for Barcelona is not looking good as they have suffered three out of four defeats in the past two weeks despite having the home advantage. Both players Martin Braithwaite and Oscar Mingueza have tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be joining the lineup for the Blaugranas. And the same goes for players Sergi Roberto, Sergino Dest, and Pedri who are unfortunately unavailable to play. Nonetheless, at this time, Barcelona is still in the running to win the La Liga title. They currently hold the second position with Sevilla FC in third place and Atletico Madrid in fourth. Giving them plenty to fight for. However, fate can only decide as Real Madrid only needs one point against Espanyol in their match this Saturday afternoon to secure the La Liga title.  

When we take a look over at Mallorca, players Jaume Costa, Aleksandar Sedlar and Dominik Greif will once again be unavailable, alongside suspended Vedat Muriqi which leaves room for Asian Football Confederation's Asian Young Footballer of the Year (2019), Kang-In Lee a spot in the forward area. Currently, Mallorca stands at 16th place, two points ahead of Granada, gaining momentum with two wins in their last three games.  

However, with Barca having won each of their last nine La Liga games against Mallorca, it is looking like the former has the strong suit. And we are seeing a 2-1 in favor of Barcelona.  

3 AM (PST), Monday, 2 May 2022. Camp Nou Stadium Barcelona, Spain.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 

C | Will Smith 

FB | Freddie Freeman 

SB | Gavin Lux 

S | Trea Turner 

TB | Justin Turner 

LF | Chris Taylor 

CF | Cody Bellinger 

RF | Mookie Betts 

DH | Max Muncy 

DETROIT TIGERS: 

C | Tucker Barnhart 

FB | Spencer Torkelson 

SB | Jonathan Schoop 

S | Javier Baez 

TB | Jeimer Candelario 

LF | Austin Meadows 

CF | Akil Baddoo 

RF | Robbie Grossman 

DH | Miguel Cabrera 

As if the beating from the Twins weren’t enough, just today for their first game, the Tigers took a whooping from the Dodgers in a 5-1 game at the Dodger Stadium. Yikes. This upcoming May 2, 2022, will be their last game for this series, and it’s not looking good for Detroit. 4:10 AM (PST) this Monday, baseball fans are going to want to get up early for this one.  

Let’s face it. As we follow the game series against the Minnesota Twins, it looks like Los Angeles will be the next to sweep the Tigers in all three games. If the Tigers want to win at all, they need to put their focus on Javier Baez because he’s the only one with relatively any potential to go against the Dodgers. Decent hitter, an appreciable defender, and is able to run the bases well, we could even go as far as saying he’s an outstanding defensive player. It just so happens that he’s stuck with greedy and inefficient management along with underwhelming teammates.   

Arguably one of the best teams, if not the best, in baseball while they’re against Detroit, it’s looking like an easy game for Los Angeles. There’s no turning a blind eye to this mismatch as Los Angeles already proved themselves too hot for the Tigers to handle. With their overflowing offensive talent, they managed to get an early lead today, and Detroit didn’t stand a chance. 

Overall, we don’t see the tides changing anytime soon. Los Angeles will dominate Detroit unless by some miracle the Tigers suddenly get their heads in the game together. The Dodgers just happen to be good at what they do, work well, and trust each other enough for phenomenal gameplay. Until then, the Dodgers and most of the teams in the MLB will be able to outperform the Tigers. Sorry, Tigers, that win record won’t be getting any higher by the end of this series.  

4:10 AM, Tuesday, May 2, 2022. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 

C | Will Smith 

FB | Freddie Freeman 

SB | Gavin Lux 

S | Trea Turner 

TB | Justin Turner 

LF | Chris Taylor 

CF | Cody Bellinger 

RF | Mookie Betts 

DH | Max Muncy 

DETROIT TIGERS: 

C | Tucker Barnhart 

FB | Spencer Torkelson 

SB | Jonathan Schoop 

S | Javier Baez 

TB | Jeimer Candelario 

LF | Austin Meadows 

CF | Akil Baddoo 

RF | Robbie Grossman 

DH | Miguel Cabrera 

Saturday, at 10:10 AM PST, the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be facing off at the Dodger Stadium. With both teams on losing streaks (5 for Detroit; 2 for L.A.), there is immense pressure for either team to prove themselves for this upcoming weekend series. With a 6-12 record, the Tigers haven’t been playing their best, to say the least. The Tigers were obliterated by the Minnesota Twins, who are currently first in the American League Central, in a 7-1 game. Though if Detroit still has their spirit intact after that six-point difference, that’s pretty commendable. Home team Dodgers, on the other hand, although not as severe, are coming to this game after losing two out of three games in their matchups against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both on a losing roll, how will they fare against each other?  

If we’re being honest, the Dodgers have the odds in their favor. 12 wins and 6 losses, the Los Angeles Dodgers are second in the National League West and fourth across the MLB. As the highest-scoring team in baseball with the best record in the majors, the power in their offense is living up to expectations. Besides that, they also have a run differential of +44, leading MLB alongside the San Francisco Giants. 

Paying attention to the visiting team, they’ve been in bad shape for the last couple of seasons. Second-lowest home runs in the MNL, a struggling .229 batting average, and a .316 slugging percentage, the Tigers are ironically being eaten alive. Placing within the bottom five in the entire league, going against the 4th highest will be quite the undertaking if they happen to follow through.  

It’s looking like L.A.’s losing streak will be cut short thanks to Detroit. The Dodger’s start to the season is more than promising, especially when put side-by-side with the Tigers. It’s hard to take the Tigers seriously after they essentially just handed Minnesota their win on a silver plate. If they seemingly forgot how to play baseball against the Twins, what more against the Dodgers, who are quite higher on the board. We’re counting on the Tigers to give us an interesting match at the very least, but if they really can’t, it’s always entertaining (though mean) to see the bigger kids take candy from a baby.  

10:10 AM, Sunday, May 1, 2022. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA. 

Winning this could mean one win away from a championship fight. For this main event, this feat is a dealbreaker for these fighters. On Monday, May 1st, Rob Font and Marlon Vera will be gracing the octagon in an attempt to showcase their skills and distinguish themselves from other fighters. Before we get into it, here are their stats: 

Box and strike. Font is known for his box and strike techniques that have collected him 19 wins with eight of those victories ending by knockout. Being a UFC fighter since 2014, he’s established his stature against the likes of Cody Garbrandt, Sergio Pettis, and Ricky Simon.  

On the contrary, the younger opponent Vera has a Brazilian jiu-jitsu style. Unlike Font’s box and strike methods, Vera usually finishes off his fights any way he can, which is an advantage to a certain degree as his techniques cannot be anticipated. Out of his 18 victories, eight of which ended by submission and seven by knockout. Being in the UFC since 2014 like Font, he’s defeated Sean O’Malley, Frankie Edgar, and Davey Grant. 

This bantamweight fight is a true marvel to see; with both fighters being good strikers and decent wrestlers, it’s a tough call for everyone watching. Without a doubt, Font will probably be met with more respect and accommodation from Vegas as this is his third straight main event as opposed to Vera’s first. Ultimately, and dare we say surprisingly, we see Vera winning by decision. As this is his first-ever UFC main event, we can expect he has done his homework extraordinarily well, and it’s where his advantage comes into play. We all know Font goes in for the kill and will aim for a knockout, but Vera doesn’t have a particular play to watch out for even when Font is admittedly the better striker. Beg to disagree? Let’s all watch tomorrow’s match and see for ourselves at the UFC Apex, but we’re still pretty sure Vera will take this home. 

7 AM, Sunday, May 1, 2022. UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV. 

CompLexity Gaming and MIBR will compete in the BLAST Premier Spring Showdown 2022 North America on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 1:30 AM.  

CompLexity Gaming makes its BLAST Premier Spring Showdown 2022 North America performance after qualifying for the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 challengers’ stage. The North American squad is having a great season and performs to reach its primary objectives in the current season, ensuring its involvement in the scenario's biggest competition, the Major, as well as accomplishing the classification for IEM Dallas 2022 by defeating Godsent, which will be performed in June this year. 

MIBR, on the contrary, makes his BLAST Premier Spring Showdown 2022 North America debut upon qualifying for the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 challengers' stage. The Brazilians are as well having a wonderful time, with three wins in the three initial rounds of the RMR over 9zTeam, paiN Gaming, and Imperial e-Sports; they will fight in the main stage of the competition, having lost only in the battle for first position to Furia eSports, forcing them to enter the challenger's stage. 

Both groups are heading through comparable phases in their careers as evidenced by this game. Rookies with a lot of energy are taking over the top spots in the tournament's main competitions, shocking some of the world's strongest teams. Nevertheless, in my point of view, MIBR is still a top choice in the battle because its gamers have a powerful game experience, handling to overturn numerous clutch circumstances or that are at a vulnerable position of players in the round. As a result, we believe MIBR will win the match. 

Even if we assume the Brazilians will win, the technical inclusivity in this matchup is indisputable, with all ten participants playing at a high level on a regular basis. Based on the teams' recent winning streaks, we're likely to have a series determined by the third map. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: 

C | Brayden Point 

LW | Ondrej Palat 

RW | Nikita Kucherov 

LD | Victor Hedman 

RD | Mikhail Sergachev 

G | Andrei Vasilevskiy 

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: 

C | Boone Jenner 

LW | Patrik Laine 

RW | Jakub Voracek 

LD | Zack Werenski 

RD | Andrew Peeke 

G | Elvis Merzlikins 

Over the last three games, it is noticeable that the back-to-back defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, may be rounding into playoff form since they defeated worthwhile opponents. The Lightning has surely been dominating their past few games, and they have become far more engaged at this point. However, the team should watch out for the Blue Jackets who currently have the fifth-highest goals against rate in this season’s league. Despite this fact, Columbus has not been having the greatest defense lately which allowed numerous goals against throughout the season.  

Starting off, the Columbus Blue Jackets currently has a record of 36-37-7 which ranks them 6th in the Metropolitan Division. The team has not been favored by the odds lately, only winning one out of their last five games. They continue in enabling several goals against with a controlled play to only 44.73 expected goals rate all throughout April 2022. The Blue Jackets have been struggling lately due to several injured players.  

Scoring leader Jakub Voracek with 99 points, 5 goals, 54 assists, and 21 PPA, along with Patrik Laine’s 26 goals, 5 PPG, and 167 saves, gives hope for Columbus to push through against the seemingly stronger Tampa Bay. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning has a record of 50-22-8 which places them 3rd in the Atlantic Division and 9th in NHL. They managed to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 8-1, before winning over the Predators, 6-2. Additionally, the Lightning ended Florida’s 14-game win streak with an 8-4 win on the road. 

Scoring leader Steve Stamkos is all out in carrying the team with his 101 points, 39 goals, 62 assists, and 16 PPG. We also expect Brian Elliott to be effective, even quietly, for the upcoming match.  

Even though the Blue Jackets were able to win over Edmonton last April 26, it is clearly safe to say that the Tampa Bay Lightning will be striking hard on them. The key stats show that the Lightning is more prepared compared to the Blue Jackets. When Tampa Bay starts to build their momentum, we can only expect a multi-goal Lightning win. 

Thursday, April 29, 7 AM PST, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

MONTREAL CANADIENS: 

C | Nick Suzuki 

LW | Cole Caufield 

RW | Rem Pitlick 

LD | Alexander Romanov 

RD | David Savard 

G | Sam Montembeault 

NEW YORK RANGERS: 

C | Mika Zibanejad 

LW | Chris Kreider 

RW | Frank Vatrano 

LD | Ryan Lindgren 

RD | Adam Fox 

G | Igor Shesterkin 

It’s the better New York NHL team against Montreal— it’s the New York Rangers against the Montreal Canadiens. This Thursday, the clash is taking place at the Madison Square Garden, courtesy of New York. 7:30 AM in Philippine Standard Time. We’re going to have to get up early for this one. If you haven’t placed your bets, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what we think. 

November 17, 2021 was the last matchup of the two Eastern Conference teams with a 3-2 game in favor of the New Yorkers. Coach Gerard Gallant said back then how the players are starting to form chemistry, and it’s safe to say that they’ve cultivated that chemistry very well. We say this as the Rangers have now racked up a 51-22-6 record, getting them up to the second place in the Metropolitan Division and eighth in the league. Left-wing Chris Kreider and goaltender Igor Shesterkin are also among the top score leaders in the league; Kreider being the third-best in goals, and Shesterkin being the top goaltender with his GAA of 2.03 and .936 SVPCT. They got the chemistry; they got the talent, and smooth sailing is more than expected from them. 

On the other hand, the Canadiens are facing a losing streak of nine. 32nd in the entirety of NHL with 20-49-11. Objectively the worst team in the league this season, Montreal has been struggling for quite some time now. Trying hard to go back to their glory days when they were still able to accumulate 24 championships, it seems they’re not trying hard enough. It’s not just lacking talent because some players showed many potentials such as Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Brendan Gallagher, but that potential was not nurtured, and their progress has even taken a step back. New players also are not living up to the talent that left, and now they’ve lost too much, too quickly. As the season is coming to an end with only two games left for them, it’ll be harder for them to climb up from the pits of the league. The only way they can escape now is by winning their last two games with the Ranger and Panthers and outranking the Arizona Coyotes as they tie at 51 points.  

To cap this off, we’re seeing a clear winner with these odds and that’s the Rangers. Montreal has been dragged through the mud this season. While it’s unfortunate, it’s a reality for them. The Rangers have their heads in the game right now, and it’s unlikely for Montreal to break their losing streak at this point in the season. Ultimately, this game will be another David and Goliath matchup, but Goliath turns out victorious regardless, sorry Montreal. However, miracles exist, and the only way to find out is to watch this exciting game.  

7:30 AM, Thursday, April 28, 2022. Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

BOSTON BRUINS: 

C | Patrice Bergenon 

LW | Brad Marchand 

RW | Jake DeBrusk 

LD | Matt Grzelcyk 

RD | Charlie McAvoy 

G | Linus Ullmark 

FLORIDA PANTHERS: 

C | Aleksander Barkov 

LW | Mason Marchment 

RW | Claude Giroux 

LD | Ben Chiarot 

RD | MacKenzie Weegar 

G | Sergei Bobrovsky 

Gather round, hockey fans and enthusiasts alike! This upcoming feat will definitely be one to watch out for as it’s the Florida Panthers (57-16, first in the Atlantic) vs. the Boston Bruins (49-25, fourth in the Atlantic). Boston has the pleasure of being the home team as the game will be held at the TD Gardens, 7 AM sharp this Wednesday, April 27.  

Left-wing player Jonathan Huberdeau leads Florida as they fly to Boston. Three points below the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid at 118, Huberdeau is the second-highest score leader in the NHL with 115 points, scoring 30 goals and 85 assists. Truly a force to be reckoned with, the Bruins are definitely feeling the heat now as game day inches closer.  

What’s it like for Boston? The Bruins are 29-16 in the East, fourth in the Atlantic but eighth in the Eastern Conference with 8.3 points per game, averaging 3.1 goals and 5.3 assists. As for their lead scorer, Charlie McAvoy is a strong contender that can play well on both ends of the ice and is good enough to go against the “bigger” teams in the NHL.  

For the Panthers, reigning above the entire National Hockey League with 120 points, you’d think it’s an easy bet, but they just suffered a terrible loss against Tampa Bay Lightning. In a 4-8 game, the Lightning demolished the Panthers Florida and their 13-game winning streak. It’s looking brighter and brighter for the Bruins. After all, every team has their off days. 

Alas, we’ve come to a conclusion. As optimistic as we want to be for Boston, Florida’s horrendous loss to Tampa Bay is a bad omen for them. The Panthers will be doing their best to cover up that blunder, and unfortunately, they’re their next game. We just hope it won’t be too devastating of a loss for the Bruins. Catch the game this Wednesday, at 7 AM through ESPN+ for full coverage. 

7 AM, Wednesday, 27 April 2022. TD Garden, Boston, MA. 

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 10:30 p.m. Philippine time, ENCE eSports and the Copenhagen Flames will compete in the BLAST Premier Spring Showdown 2022 Europe. Both sides will give it their all to win, which means they will employ the greatest techniques in the Pistol's round, as well as well-placed smoke grenades and outstanding armed rounds. 

Ence eSports makes an early appearance in the showdown by qualifying for the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Challengers Stage. The European squad is in a terrific place right now, having won the vice championship of the ESL Pro League Season 15 and secured a seat in the scenario's biggest competition, the Major, by overcoming some of the top teams in the world. Despite not competing in the legends stage, the team advanced with three victories and one defeat, dropping by two maps to the Ninjas in Pyjamas in the third-place race. 

The Copenhagen Flames, on the other side, are in the match after advancing for the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Legends Stage. By displaying a competitive level in the European RMR B, the Danes shown that they are among the finest in the league. They defeated the teams who came their way in the three matches they participated. 

This matchup should be the most evenly matched of the first day of BLAST, with two teams in fantastic form on the servers and displaying a high level of performance. Nevertheless, we should also consider ENCE's outstanding success in ESL Pro League Season 15, the most recent Tier S competition, in which they finished runner-up after defeating fantastic teams such as Faze Clan, Team Vitality, Outsiders, and NiP. Our prediction is that ENCE eSports will win the match. 

Although you trust Ence's game triumph, there's a good possibility this best of three will feature three maps. The Copenhagen Flames will be able to pick among vertigo and mirage; both of which offer significant advantages in terms of harnessing their rival. While ENCE, they can choose nuke, which they have used 86 percent of the time throughout the last games they've played, even facing the best teams in the world. As a result, we have a strong suspicion that the showdown will have more than 2.5 maps. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: 

C | Dylan Strome 

LW | Alex DeBrincat 

RW | Patrick Kane 

LD | Alex Vlasic 

RD | Seth Vlasic 

G | Kevin Lankinen 

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: 

C | Kevin Hayes 

LW | Scott Laughton 

RW | Travis Konecny 

LD | Ivan Provorov 

RD | Ronnie Attard 

G | Martin Jones 

The puck drops at the United Center on Tuesday, April 26 at 8:00 AM for Chicago Blackhawks versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Four points apart in the entire league, we can anticipate a close game between the two. While it’s definitely not a game everyone will be waiting for, it will definitely be interesting to see. Why? Read on below. 

On the board, the Blackhawks hold the higher ground. 7th in the Central Division, the team has won 26 games and lost 42, earning them 63 points. It is not impressive to say the least but better against the Flyers’ 24-43 record. However, in the 31 times they’ve gone head to head, Chicago has only bested Philadelphia nine times, leaving the Flyers to win the other 22.  

The modern-day Chicago Blackhawks has more than its fair share of issues in the league. Inefficient play in both home games and visiting games, racking up 42 losses, it's difficult to see this team going anything higher than 27th in the tournament rankings. Averaging 2.6 goals and 3.6 goals against per match, it’s a good thing they’re up against a team that’s objectively worse than them in numbers.  

Coming in at 29th place in the NHL, the Philadelphia Flyers team has collected 43 defeats and only a measly 24 victories. Placing a little below Chicago at 29th, their team statistics shows 27 powerplay goals and a 75.3 penalty kill percentage. Then again, as underwhelming as they are, the Philadelphia is somehow still getting wins. They’re a pleasant surprise every now and then.  

With this brief analysis of the game, we’ve managed to pick our bet. With grievances from their most recent loss to the Flyers, the Blackhawks will be making sure they put up a fight this time around. It’ll be a close game for sure, especially with how Philly’s Cam Atkinson and Carter Hart are playing right now; the Blackhawks are already probably sweating. What evens this out is Hart and Atkinson are currently out so that window of opportunity will fuel Chicago’s spirit. The Blackhawks’ main scorers are very much well, and for that, they have the advantage. It’s Chicago for this one, folks, but the sure way to go is to watch the game and see for yourself. 8 AM, April 26. 

8 AM (PST), Tuesday, April 26, 2022. United Center, Chicago, IL. 

PSGLGD has sailed over the league stages with an undefeated 6-0 record. Team Aster has shaken from a funk and been handed a wake up call in a few matches, but they aren't in jeopardy of losing out at all. They are now in joint-second place, and a victory will propel them into the second spot. It's a battle of wits versus showmanship. Who will be the last one standing in the end? 

Monet and Ori, both famous figures to someone who has monitored the Dota-2 scene in China, are among Aster's seasoned players. In previous DPC tours, Aster has been a frequent participant. They aren't a squad that hangs around in the middle of the table waiting for a break. When they sense an opportunity, they usually take it. This time around, things appear to be the same. 

PSG LGD are still the unquestioned leaders of China's Dota-2 competition. After defeating RNG in a one-sided match, they were crowned victors of the 2022 Dota Pro Circuit Winter tour regional final (3-1). 

PSG LGD is one of the few teams to retain their full lineup from the prior season. The foundation of the team hasn't changed, and it's the original one that won the Aegis of Champions. 

It was also an outstanding performance. Over the regional league stage, they went 7-0, earning the top seed for the regional final, wherein they held off a strong battle from EHOME ultimately winning in the end. In the upper bracket final, they defeated a resurgent RNG, headed by Somnus, Chalice, and xNova, in two consecutive matches before defeating them in the big finale. 

There have been echoes of that dominant run this time around as well. Will things turn out differently this time? 

Watch as PSG.LGD and Aster will rival and try to steal the win against each other today, April 24 at 6 PM. 

Don’t miss this out. Place your bets exclusively at 747 Live. Let us help you create an account. DM us right now! 

RNG is now in second place and has shown sufficient grit in the league stage to reinforce the message of their ability. They face a similarly devastating and excellent team in Xtreme Gaming, who also have a comparable record, with a 4-2 record. On theory, this appears to be a matchup of equals. It's a battle amongst two exciting teams. 

Nineteen of the 32 games were won. A 59.38 percent chance of winning. The numbers are impressive for RNG, with a kill-to-death percentage of little over one and 54.75 assists, but stats alone doesn't tell the whole story. Can they transform that to on-field success? This is basically a game in which the winner is assured a spot in the major. 

RNG will be resentful of their defeat to Team Aster. It wasn't only a defeat, but a humiliating one as well, considering it was their second in the championship. In addition, Xtreme Gaming is coming off a loss against PSG LDG in their recent game. Now it's a must-win game for both teams, and with a major on the line, it takes on even greater importance. 

Remember that these games are being played online rather than in person for the time being till the league phase is completed. Aside from tons of DPC points and significant spots, USD 205,000 is on the line. 

Who do you think will have the advantage in today's match, April 24 at 3 PM? Want to bet but got no account yet? It’s alright mate; we got you! Just send us a message, and we’ll create an account for you in an instant. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: 

C | Auston Matthews 

LW | Michael Bunting 

RW | Mitchell Marner 

LD | Morgan Reilly 

RD | TJ Brodie 

G | Jack Campbell 

WASHINGTON CAPITALS: 

C | Evgeny Kuznetsov 

LW | Alex Ovechkin 

RW | Tom Wilson 

LD | Martin Fehervary 

RD | John Carlson 

G | Vitek Vanecek 

After April 14’s defeat to the Maple Leafs in Toronto, Ontario, the Capitals will be fighting for redemption on home ice this Monday, April 25, 2022. Bright and early, 7 AM (PST), the Toronto Maple Leafs are set for a matchup against the Washington Capitals. If you’re looking to know what to expect from this coming match, read on. 

Following their last matchup of 7-3 in favor of the Maple Leafs, the Capitals have gone on to win three of their last four matches. The Washington natives did not waste time in picking up the pace, leaving no time for sulking regardless of how devastating their loss was. This resilience has earned them the fourth spot in the East’s Metropolitan Division with 44 wins, 23 losses, and 11 OTL, ultimately securing a playoff position for their team. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, make Toronto proud as they place second in the Atlantic Division with 51 wins, 21 losses, and 6 OTL. With 108 points, this Toronto team is currently third in the entire league ties with the Carolina Hurricanes. Both teams are proficient in their own right, but how are they looking against each other? 

If we take a look on paper, the Maple Leafs are at an advantage. With a Goals For per Game at 3.83, Shots per Game at 34.7, Power Play Goals of 61, Power Play % at 27.5, and Short Handed Goals at 13, Toronto outweighs Washington in these numbers among others. Where it gets interesting is with player injuries. Toronto has two players on their injury report as of the moment: defender Jake Muzzin and center Auston Matthews. Matthews is Toronto’s ace. The injury and possible absence of Matthews could even out this game, especially if the Capitals went ham with preparation. However, the Capitals can’t be too complacent yet. The Maple Leafs player is under day-to-day, so his probability of coming back on the ice increases each day. 

Now, what will it be? If we stick to the numbers, the Maple Leafs will take it home, but our gut says it’s the Washington Capitals for this one. After Toronto cut their winning streak of 4 short, there’s a certain bitterness that we sense, and that bitterness has played a big part in their preparation for this game. Washington has the caliber and the talent to make vengeance possible, and we definitely see it coming. 

7 AM, Monday, 25 April 2022. Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. 

ARSENAL 

G | RAMSDALE Aaron 32 

RB | Gabriel 6 

CB | WHITE Ben 4 

CB | Cedric 17 

LB | TAVARES Nuno 20 

R MF | SAKA Bukayo 7 

C MF | ELNENY Mohamed 25 

C MF | XHAKA Granit 34 

L MF | SMITH ROWE Emile 10 

CF | NKETIAH Eddie 30 

MANCHESTER UNITED 

DE GEA David 1 | G 

DALOT Diogo 20 | RB 

MAGUIRE Harry 5 | CB 

VARANE Raphael 19 | CB 

TELLES Alex 27 | LB 

MCTOMINAY Scott 39 | R MF 

MATA Juan 8 | C MF 

Hannibal 46 | L MF 

RONALDO Cristiano 7 | RF 

SANCHO Jadon 25 | LF 

The spring season of the Dota Pro Circuit 2021/22 is coming to a conclusion. Only one week left until the league's culmination, which will determine which teams will compete in the ESL One Stockholm Dota Major 2022 and who will stay at home. For most locations, the broad scenario has already been clear: both favorites and outsiders have been recognized. We certainly know which leaders will undoubtedly attend the spring major. Their precise arrangement within the regions, however, will not be known until the DPC last week. 

The duel featuring BOOM Esports and Team SMG is the last game in Southeast Asia. It will take place on April 21st at 6 PM. BOOM Esports has been invited; hence, this match is unimportant to them. However, the team will play at its fullest in order to finish the season on the first line of the bracket and earn as many DPC points as possible. If T1 defeats Fnatic, this match will be meaningless for Team SMG. However, if Team SMG defeats BOOM Esports, a rematch will be held for the opportunity to compete in the major. 

After beating Fnatic (2-1) on Saturday, BOOM ESPORTS will compete in the Stockholm Major. 

Boom Esports hit the ground running in Game 1 with a 10K gold advantage by the 30th minute, thanks to pick-offs from Timothy "Tims" Randrup's Monkey King and Erin Jasper "Yopaj" Ferrer's Storm Spirit. 

Boom Esports has joined Fnatic as Southeast Asia's top esports team delegates to the Stockholm Major in May, as well as a portion of the current DPC Tour's top seed. After sweeping Team SMG last Wednesday, Fnatic had already secured the first ticket to Sweden. 

The BOOM Esports vs. Team SMG Dota 2 match is part of the Dota Pro Circuit Southeast Asia competition. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. today, April 21st.  The game will be played in a best-of-three format. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

CHELSEA 

Goalkeepers and Defenders: 

GK | Edouard Mendy 

CB | Trevoh Chalobah  

CB | Thiago Silva 

CB | Antonio Rudiger 

Wing-backs & Midfielders: 

RWB | Reece James  

CM | N’Golo Kante 

CM | Ruben Loftus-Cheek 

LWB | Marcos Alonso 

Forwards: 

RF | Kai Havertz  

ST | Timo Werner 

LF | Mason Mount  

ARSENAL 

GK | Aaron Ramsdale 

RB | Cedric Soares  

CB | Ben White 

CB | Gabriel 

LB | Nuno Tavares 

Midfielders: 

DM | Albert Sambi Lokonga 

DM | Granit Xhaka 

RM | Bukayo Saka 

AM | Martin Odegaard 

LM | Emile Smith Rowe 

Forward: 

ST | Gabriel Martinelli 

Arsenal take on the road as the unfortunate foes of Chelsea on Thursday, April 21 as they attempt to redeem themselves after three consecutive losses in the Premier League. So far, the Gunners have lost four out of their last five Premier League games. The Blues are currently enjoying the eight-point gap from those aiming for a top-four finish, which they have gained over securing their place in the FA cup final on the weekend. This might just be the finishing touch for their qualifications to the Champions League next season with a win. 

Last Sunday, Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace in an effort to set up an FA Cup final against Liverpool. They beat Real Madrid in midweek prior to that, closely exiting the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel’s men were able to win 9 games out of 11 which only proves that Chelsea’s form has been decent. The team has also scored 11 goals in their last 3 games, with Kai Havertz scoring in four out of his last five league matches. Romelu Lukaku and Reece James managed to strike in a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture across the capital which put Arsenal’s 3-game win streak to an end. 

Starting off with the positive side for Arsenal, they have lost only one of the previous five meetings with Chelsea which gained them four points from their last two matches in west London. Unfortunately, the Gunners will most likely be outgunned by the buoyant Blues in the upcoming match. Losing 1-0 at Southampton last Saturday and having their third defeat, the recent Arsenal is not exactly fit for Champions League. Arteta is considering a formula that fans have been suggesting– moving Gabriel Martinelli into a central role and Emile Smith Rowe back in on the left-hand side. With Martinelli’s 5 goals, 3 assists, and Smith Rowe’s 9 goals and 2 assists, the reeling Arsenal might be able to turn things around. 

Despite Arsenal’s efforts to end their three-game skid, they might show shakiness for the upcoming match especially since Chelsea’s form is currently better than the Gunners. Arteta’s men have been inconsistent ever since the international break, so we can only see Tuchel’s men ending up as winners for this game. 

Thursday, April 21, 2022, Stamford Bridge, London, England 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS 

C | Brock Nelson 

LW | Anders Lee 

RW | Anthony Beauvillier 

LD | Zdeno Chara 

RD | Noah Dobson 

G | Ilya Sorokin 

FLORIDA PANTHERS 

C | Sam Bennett 

LW | Carter Verhaeghe 

RW | Anthony Duclair 

LD | Ben Chiarot 

RD | MacKenzie Weegar 

G | Sergei Bobrovsky 

The New York Islanders brace themselves as they take on the rising Florida Panthers with a 10-game winning streak and an average of staggering 5.3 goals per game through the stretch. While the Panthers are hopeful for an extended playoff run, the Islanders have officially been eliminated from the postseason race after losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs at 4-2. Both clubs have met twice this season, with the Panthers emerging victorious almost effortlessly. 

So far, the New York Islanders have not had the best season with a record of 35-31-9, and nothing to look forward to in the playoffs. The team is 5th in the Metropolitan Division, with 28 shots and 42 hits, with 27 faceoffs won and 46 penalty minutes. Ilya Sorokin is showing to be one of NHL’s top goalkeepers with a .927 save percentage in his second NHL season, 2.31 goals against average, and 12.1 goals saved above expected. The team can only hope that Sorokin can carry them, especially since over the last ten games, the Islanders have been the 4th worst club in NHL in terms of controlling expected goals at 5-on-5 with 42.69%. With Semyon Varlamov on the sidelines due to illness, Sorokin will most likely start for the fifth time. 

Unlike the Islanders, the Florida Panthers have consistently and expectedly triumphed over their opponents. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division with a record of 54-15-6, 36 shots, 26 hits, 26 faceoffs won and 9 penalty minutes. The team was able to win 10 games in a row, and it is clear that they would not let the Islanders break their streak. They have won the last two games against the Islanders by 6-1. Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight have been splitting the workload in the Panthers’ last four games, with Knight earning the win against Detroit. Hopefully, Bobrovsky will earn the win for the upcoming game. 

Without a doubt, the Florida Panthers should win with no unnecessary nerves. The advantages of the Panthers are obvious to anyone, especially since Islanders’ Sorokin might have difficulty in carrying the team’s recent poor expected goals percentage which might just bring an 11-winning streak to Florida. 

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 7:30 AM (PST). UBS Arena, Elmont, New York. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

SEATTLE KRAKEN 

C | Matty Beniers 

LW | Ryan Donato 

RW | Jordan Eberle 

LD | Vince Dunn 

RD | Adam Larsson 

G | Philipp Grubauer 

OTTAWA SENATORS: 

C | Josh Norris 

LW | Brady Tkachuk 

RW | Parker Kelly 

LD | Michael Del Zotto 

RD | Travis Hamonic 

G | Anton Forsberg 

One of the more underwhelming games of the season: it’s the Ottawa Senators against the Seattle Krakens in the Climate Pledge Arena, home to the Krakens. The puck drops at 10 AM Philippine Time, this Tuesday, April 19. This fixture is ultimately a battle to settle who’s worse, but it’s a hockey game nonetheless.  

Seattle Kraken’s debut season was anything but prolific. Currently, they are 8th in the Pacific Division, with a 24-44-6 record, 52 points. The team has a points percentage of .364, which places them as the team in NHL with the fourth-worst points percentage. In the Pacific Division, they are 11 points behind every other team which brings their hopes of a playoff appearance in their first season to dust. The team’s stats are: 2.56 goals for, 3.48 goals against, and 27 power play goals. Taking a look at the team’s strength, Seattle seems to be efficient in goaltending. As for their offensive zone and neutral zone strategies, these will most probably make up for their shortcomings at forward and defense, but it might turn them more vulnerable to odd-man rushes the other way. Season Leader Jared McCan can potentially provide a higher chance for the Kraken to conquer this match, given his season stats of 25 goals, 18 assists and 43 points. 

The Ottawa Senators are at 7th in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 28-40-7, 62 points. The stats for Ottawa are: 2.69 goals for, 3.20 goals against, and 44 power play goals. Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris lead the team this season, with Tkachuk’s 59 points, 27 goals, and 32 assists, and Norris’s 33 goals, 16 power play goals, and 155 shots. 

Clearly, both teams have not had the best of luck recently, seeing that their losses are almost twice their wins. But if we were to pick the team with the better odds of winning, it would be the Ottawa Senators. Evidently, they have shown a more competitive performance compared to the Seattle Kraken, and their key stats are significantly more productive than Seattle. Ottawa’s players are also more efficient.  

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 10 AM (PST). Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA. 

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 

C | Will Smith 

FB | Freddie Freeman 

SB | Gavin Lux 

S | Trea Turner 

TB | Justin Turner 

LF | Chris Taylor 

CF | Cody Bellinger 

RF | Mookie Betts 

DH | Max Muncy 

CINCINNATI REDS: 

C | Tyler Stephenson 

FB | Joey Votto 

SB | Jonathan India 

S | Kyle Farmer 

TB | Mike Moustakas 

LF | Tommy Pham 

CF | Nick Senzel 

RF | Jake Fraley 

DH | Tyler Naquin 

For their first home game this season, the Dodgers are back in L.A. to entertain the Cincinnati Reds for their game. Saturday, April 16th, at approximately 10:10 AM (PST), bats will be swinging and balls will be flying at the Dodger Stadium for their second game. Everyone’s taking his/her pick, and here’s our guide to make sure everyone chooses wisely.  

Sanmartin out, Cessa in. They’ve had difficulty on the mound and allowed 29 runs over their last five games, and that seemed to be a big factor in the sudden rotation change. The expected left-hand pitcher Reiver Sanmartin was replaced by Luis Cessa to start the upcoming game. We can anticipate some rocky gameplay from Cincinnati as they’ve been going through a rough patch. More problems arise as valuable players Luis Castillo and Mike Minor are put on the injured list and have crippled their rotation plans. Without all the holes in the team along with the unfamiliar rotation, the Reds’ gameplay already hasn’t been sublime, what more now? One hope for Cincinnati is the debut of the much-awaited appearance of the primed prospect, Hunter Greene. 

Balance, balance. Now, the home team Dodgers don’t have the most ideal lineup for the opener; four lefties, five righties. If their lineup goes to plan, Los Angeles would only have two left-handed hitters in their first six and that actually plains into the Reds’ advantage. Regardless, the team is stellar. While not the best, it’s still going to be far better than the Reds if we’re being realistic.  

To conclude, this fixture appears to be quite the mismatch on paper. With a disgruntled lineup from Cincinnati facing the balanced Dodgers staff, the Dodgers are unlikely to experience complicated problems with scoring runs against the Reds. Not to mention, the Reds will be needing to fill up a lot of holes in the team, and they will definitely struggle with their offense for this one. It’s looking like the Los Angeles Dodgers for us. Sorry, Cincinnati Reds, better luck next time! 

10:10 AM, Saturday, April 16, 2022. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA.