Need a boost to get through the middle of the week? Well, you’ve come to the right place.

I’m locking in on the MLB and NBA, with baseball serving as an appetizer and dessert while Game 3 of the NBA Finals stands in as the main course.

Colorado Rockies at Minnesota Twins

Colorado has never been able to solve Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez.

Lopez is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four career starts against the Rockies, most recently holding them to one unearned run and four hits in seven innings on June 22, 2022.

But Colorado might be starting to click a little bit, and this isn’t the same version of Lopez that we’ve seen in years past. The Rockies are averaging 8.1 hits over their past seven games, while Lopez has been tagged for at least six runs in three of his past four outings.

It’s the perfect storm for Lopez to get roughed up on Wednesday. Even if Lopez continues his dominance against Colorado, a long start could present the Rockies with plenty of chances to get in the hit column against him.

I wouldn’t advise you to make betting on a 24-43 team a habit, but this opportunity is too good to pass up.

Pablo Lopez to allow over 5.5 hits (+105 at DraftKings)

Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks

If history truly does repeat itself, Dallas guard Kyrie Irving shouldn’t be phased by a 2-0 deficit in the Finals.

Irving and the Mavericks dropped Games 1 and 2 in Boston, but the series now shifts to Dallas. Wednesday marks the third time Irving has gone into Game 3 of the Finals with his team still searching for its first victory, something he faced with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and 2017.

When it happened in 2016, Irving went for 30 points on 12-of-25 shooting in Game 3, helping to spark a comeback that saw Cleveland sink the Warriors in seven games. The Cavaliers didn’t get as lucky the following year — while once again facing Golden State — but Irving responded to a pair of setbacks with 38 points.

The Celtics have done a great job of preventing Irving from getting into a groove, but something has got to give at some point. And with a must-win game now on the table and a crowd that won’t be chanting “Kyrie Sucks” at every dead ball, Irving should shine on Wednesday.

Kyrie Irving to score over 23.5 points (-118 at DraftKings)

Los Angeles Angels at Arizona Diamondbacks

Let’s end the night on a high note.

Arizona is sending right-hander Slade Cecconi to the mound, and if there’s anything he loves, it’s giving up absolute nukes. Of his eight starts this season, seven have featured at least one home run, and he hasn’t prevented a team from leaving the yard since April 27 — his second outing of the year.

Now we just have to determine who ends up clearing the wall.

You could go with Taylor Ward (team-leading 12 home runs) or Jo Adell (11), but I want to go with the best bang for my buck here, which is why I’m eyeing Nolan Schanuel. He’s got seven homers this year, including two in his past five games, but still has some of the longest odds on the board.

This ends up hitting, and you’re immediately in the green.

Nolan Schanuel to hit a home run (+900 at DraftKings)