CFL PICKS: WEEK 18

Ottawa Redblacks at Toronto Argonauts Friday, 7 p.m.

At Toronto, the CFL’s worst two teams square off at BMO Field. Rookie Will Arndt draws the start for Ottawa (3-11), which has lost seven straight. Veteran Jonathon Jennings will be the backup as Dominique Davis is injured and won’t dress. Bethel-Thompson finished last week’s one-sided loss to B.C. and is expected to start for the Argos (2-12), who’ll miss the playoffs for a second straight year. It’s their first game since firing GM Jim Popp on Tuesday and replacing him with former player/coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons.

Pick: Toronto

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders Friday, 9:30 p.m.

At Calgary, the West-leading Roughriders (10-4) look to not only earn a fourth straight win but tie the season series after the Stampeders (9-5) secured a 37-10 win in Regina on July 6. Receiver Shaquelle Evans had seven catches for 193 yards and a TD in last week’s 21-6 win over Winnipeg while Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo has gone three games without throwing an interception. The defending Grey Cup champions are coming off a 21-17 road loss to Montreal despite starter Bo Levi Mitchell throwing for 464 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Pick: Calgary

Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saturday, 4 p.m.

At Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers (9-6) have dropped three straight and are 2-4 since starter Matt Nichols suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Chris Streveler was 26-of-40 passing against Saskatchewan for 254 yards but also had two interceptions as Justin Medlock accounted for his team’s scoring with two field goals. Montreal (8-6) clinched its first playoff berth since 2014 with last week’s win over Calgary and still has an outside shot at first in the East. The Alouettes defence forced three fumbles and an interception while registering two sacks against the Stamps.

Pick: Montreal

B.C. Lions at Edmonton Eskimos Saturday, 7 p.m.

Edmonton (7-8) hosts the surging B.C. Lions (5-10) on Saturday needing a tie or victory to clinch the league’s last postseason berth. The Eskimos had the chance to do so last week but dropped a 42-12 road decision in Hamilton. Backup quarterback Logan Kilgore is expected to play against B.C. but running back C.J. Gable (knee) remains questionable after being injured against Hamilton. The Lions come in on a definite roll, having won four straight. The latest was a lopsided 55-8 home decision over Toronto on Saturday night. So after losing 10 of their first 11 games, the Lions are suddenly back in the CFL playoff race. B.C. starter Mike Reilly was 21-of-27 passing against Toronto for 276 yards with a career-best five touchdown passes.

Pick: B.C.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 47-18.

— Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press All games on TSN