This is a play on the CHICAGO CUBS for our MLB Wednesday Sweet Spot. The final day of the regular season is usually filled with some sort of drama somewhere but that is not the case this season as with the Braves winning the National League East last night, all playoff spots and seeds have been determined and even the Aaron Judge home run chase has come to an end. Most teams are getting ready for the offseason including Chicago and Cincinnati and we are basing this one on a significant starting pitching matchup advantage for the Cubs that would like to end the season the way it came into this series. Chicago was on an 11-1 run coming into Monday but has lost the first two games of this series 3-1 and 3-2 but even with that , the pitching remains on a strong close as the Cubs have allowed three runs or less in nine straight games, allowing just 1.7 rpg over that stretch. Adrian Sampson can keep that streak going as he has allowed two runs or less in seven straight games, posting a 1.60 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over that stretch, covering 39.3 innings and the last five all being quality outings. He has a 2.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 10 road starts. Cincinnati came into the series on a 1-9 run but somehow was able to find ways to win the first two games as the offense remains in neutral by scoring three runs or less in 12 straight games, averaging 2.0 rpg over that stretch and now face the Cubs most consistent pitcher down the stretch. It has not been the same for Graham Ashcraft as it has been for Sampson as he has struggled down the stretch with a 12.15 ERA over his last two starts which came after taking a month off as he was on the injured list due to biceps soreness. His rehab did not go well as he allowed 10 runs on 15 hits and a walk while striking out 11 in 5.2 innings over two appearances so the final month has not gone as planned. 10* (957) Chicago Cubs

This is a play on the UCF KNIGHTS for our AAC Game of the Month. This game between SMU and UCF has moved a second time as the game had originally been pushed back from Saturday to Sunday but was moved back three more days with the schedule allowing it to do so with both teams having bye weeks in Week 6. This is a big disadvantage for SMU which has had to change travel plans numerous times during the week and while their offense has been keeping things competitive, the defense has struggled the last two games to prevent the wins. The offensive gameplan should be fairly straightforward for the Knights and that is no establish the run to open up the passing game and they should not divert from this if there is not early success. SMU is hit or miss with the rushing defense as it is ranked No. 105 in the country, allowing 184.8 ypg and has been outrushed by all three FBS opponents. UCF has the personnel with the passing game although it has not been put fully on display yet because the running game has been so good as the Knights are ranked No. 3 in the nation with 274.5 ypg. But that passing game can have its coming out party here as the Mustangs allowed 510 yards passing on 75.5 percent completions, 9.6 ypa and five touchdowns against Maryland and TCU. The Knights defense has been outstanding as they are No. 26 in the country overall and No. 8 in points allowed with just 13.5 ppg and they have not played slouches as Florida Atlantic and Louisville are both ranked in the top 60 in total offense and while this will be the best offense they have seen, it is also the best defense the Mustangs have encountered. This line was -3.5 last week when the game was still scheduled to be played on Saturday and has not moved much and there is now value because of the travel aspect as it has disrupted the Mustangs not only in their itinerary but also the practice and preparation has been thrown all off course. Here, we play on teams where the line is +3 to -3 averaging 34 or more ppg and after allowing 17 points or less in two straight games going up against teams allowing between 21 and 28 ppg. This situation is 43-15 ATS (74.1 percent) since 1992. 10* (422) UCF Knights