Karl Garrett
Have to believe the Braves are back on track after their recent road woes, busting out for 8 runs on 15 hits in last night's win at Florida. Now back at home, the G-Man expects them to take advantage of the poor-traveling Los Angeles Dodgers.
LA may be riding a modest two game win streak, but they are just 2-4 on the road for the month of April, and they did lose 2 of 3 last year at Turner Field.
Derek Lowe has been very strong to open the year, as evidenced by his 4 runs allowed in 20 innings of work, but I expect it be to a little tougher for him tonight as Atlanta has got to be feeling good about themselves thanks to their 15-hit outburst last night.
Buddy Carlyle is making his first start of the season, and I can see him giving Bobby Cox 5 or 6 quality innings of work in his season debut.
I am going with the Braves as the small home underdog.
1* ATLANTA
Bobby Maxwell
It's been a long nine-game road trip for the Braves and they finally return to Turner Field and host the Dodgers in this one. Atlanta closed the trip with an 8-0 win over the Marlins on Thursday.
The Braves are 12-4 in their last 16 home games and 4-1 in their last five Friday games. Today they've got Buddy Carlyle making his first start of the season. He was solid for Atlanta last season, holding the opposition to three runs or less in seven of his last nine starts.
Los Angeles counters with Derek Lowe (1-0, 1.80 ERA) who's seen a lot of the light-hitting Padres this season. Now he gets a Braves' squad that he has either been spectacular against or horrible. There's been no middle ground. He held them to two runs on 11 hits in 12 innings last season in two wins but got shelled in 2006, giving up eight runs on nine hits in five innings of an 11-10 loss.
The Dodgers are just 1-4 in their last five road games and 1-9 when they start a series after a day off.
Let's take the home team in this one as the Braves get to play in front of their home fans. Play the plus-money on Atlanta.
4* ATLANTA
DCI
NHL
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 5, best-of-7
N.Y. Rangers vs. NEW JERSEY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 5, best-of-7
Dallas vs. ANAHEIM: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
DETROIT 3, Nashville 2
Tony Mathews
Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Selection: Chicago/Tampa Bay Under 9.5 -120
Explanation: We expect a low-scoring game as the Chicago White Sox face-off against the Tampa Bay Rays in Friday's MLB contest.
The Chicago White Sox will use starting pitcher Javier Vazquez. After 3 starts on the season, Javier Vazquez has a solid 3.32 ERA. To say the least, we don't see the Tampa Bay Rays scoring much runs tonight.
The Tampa Bay Rays will use starting pitcher Jeff Niemann. Jeff Niemann has only had one start so far this season, however, it was a very good start. Jeff Niemann has given up only 1 single run in 6 innings pitched. We see another solid start by Jeff Niemann tonight.
These teams have a history of scoring very few runs when they meet. In fact, the Under is a Perfect 5-0 in the last 5 meetings between these teams.
Take the Chicago White Sox/Tampa Bay Rays Under 9.5
LARRY COOK
3* on Milwaukee Brewers -122
(Listing Sheets and Arroyo)
Ben Sheets have proven he?s over his injuries to start the season. Sheets owns a 2-0 record in 3 starts with a miniscule 1.17 ERA on the season. He has allowed only 3 earned runs and 12 hits in 23 innings of work. Bronson Arroyo will be looking for his first win in 4 starts this season for the Reds. It?s not going to happen against Sheets and company tonight. Sheets is 7-4 in his career when starting against Cincinnati with a solid 3.07 ERA. Arroyo is 5-15 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons. Arroyo is 3-14 (-13.2 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse over the last 3 seasons. Milwaukee will be busting out the bats to lay the wood on Arroyo Friday. Bet Milwaukee on the road.
MLB DUNKEL
NY Mets at Philadelphia
The Mets have dropped five straight at Citizens Bank Park and face a tough assignment against Philly starter Cole Hamels, who allowed only one hit over seven innings in his last start against the Cubs on Saturday. Philadelphia is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-110). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Snell) 15.129; Cubs (Hill) 14.934
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-130); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+120); N/A
Game 903-904: NY Mets at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 14.752; Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.832
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-110); Over
Game 905-906: Washington at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Redding) 14.542; Florida (Miller) 13.899
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110); Under
Game 907-908: Milwaukee at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sheets) 14.552; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 15.035
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+120); Over
Game 909-910: LA Dodgers at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Lowe) 15.044; Atlanta (Carlyle) 14.667
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-125); Over
Game 911-912: Colorado at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Morales) 15.365; Houston (Sampson) 15.232
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Houston (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+105); Under
Game 913-914: San Francisco at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 14.529; St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 15.492
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-135); Under
Game 915-916: San Diego at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Maddux) 14.363; Arizona (Haren) 16.172
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 917-918: Detroit at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Rogers) 14.165; Toronto (Purcey) 15.331
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 919-920: NY Yankees at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 15.828; Baltimore (Cabrera) 14.981
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-135); Under
Game 921-922: Texas at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Mendoza) 14.675; Boston (Matsuzaka) 15.552
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-205); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-205); Under
Game 923-924: Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Vazquez) 15.104; Tampa Bay (Niemann) 15.471
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-105); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-105); Under
Game 925-926: Cleveland at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Lee) 15.025; Minnesota (Liriano) 14.539
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-105); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-105); Over
Game 927-928: Kansas City at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 15.186; Oakland (Gaudin) 14.415
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-120); Under
Game 929-930: Seattle at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Dickey) 14.563; LA Angels (Saunders) 15.623
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-155); Under
NHL
NY Rangers at New Jersey
The Rangers have beaten the Devils 10 of the 12 times they've faced this season and look to close out the series tonight on New Jersey's home ice. New York is the pick (-105) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-105). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Game 17-18: Nashville at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.135; Detroit 12.044
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-265); 5
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-265); Over
Game 19-20: NY Rangers at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.134; New Jersey 10.619
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-115); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-105); Under
Game 21-22: Dallas at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 12.032; Anaheim 11.439
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Brandon Lang
20 Dime - D'Backs
10 Dime - Indians
10 Dime Dog - Reds
Free Pick - Mets Under
Stephen Nover
San Diego Padres @ Arizona Diamondbacks
PICK: Arizona Diamondbacks
REASON FOR PICK: While the Arizona Diamondbacks were enjoying a day off on Thursday, the San Diego Padres were playing a marathon game against the Colorado Rockies that extended into Friday. They are going to be a tired team traveling to Arizona.
Making it worse for the Padres is they face Dan Haren, who has some of the nastiest stuff in the majors. Haren is 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA this season with three quality starts in three outings. He's especially tough on teams that have never seen him before such as the Padres.
The Diamondbacks are playing well, having won 10 of their last 12 games. They are 16-5 during their past 21 home contests. They are leading the majors in runs scored and home runs.
Chris Young goes for San Diego. He's a great home pitcher, but struggles on the road. His road ERA was 4.52 last season. He looked terrible in his last start, which was at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers got to him for six earned runs in three innings, hitting two home runs.
Young has had more trouble versus Arizona than any other team. The Padres lost all three of Young's starts to the Diamondbacks last season. He has a 7.32 lifetime ERA versus the Diamondbacks.
SportsKingz
MLB
MILWAUKEE -130
CLEVELAND -115
KANSAS CITY -115
ARIZONA -140
Insider Sports Report
5* L.A. Dodgers (Lowe) -130 over Atlanta (Carlyle)
Range -115 to -150
3* Washington (Redding) +100 over Florida (Miller)
Range +115 to -120
3* Kansas City (Bannister) -125 over Oakland (Gaudin)
Range -105 to -140
YANKEE CAPPER
3 Units - Arizona Diamondbacks
2 Units - New York Rangers
DARK HORSE
Milwaukee -130
Insider Sports Report
Chicago White Sox/Tampa Bay UNDER 9.5
Las Vegas Sports Advisors
Detroit -0.5
Buck Shot Boys
Pirates
Head Waiter Sports
Philadelphia Phillies -108
MIKE WYNN
Kansas City w/Bannister -115
TOTALS 4 U
YANKEES/ORIOLES OVER 10
TV HOTLINE
N.Y. YANKEES -140
RAZOR SHARP
MILWAUKEE/ CINCINNATI UNDER 8.5
VEGAS STEAMLINE
Chicago White Sox/Tampa Bay 9.5
ARTHUR RALPH
NY METS
NICK JONES
Detroit/Toronto OVER 9.5
Glen Mcgrew
San Jose AFL
MIGHTY QUINN
NY RANGERS
Joe Wiz
Dbacks
D Rays
Gamblers Data
Twins -105
Jennifer Barry
San Francisco/St. Louis Over 8 runs
Donald Tran
LA Dodgers -115
Chad Jordan
Washington Nats +115
Jim Feist
Indians
Scott Spreitzer
Tigers
PRIORITY SPORTS INFO
Arizona -130
BRYAN LEONARD
Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Angels
PICK: Seattle Mariners
The Mariners will send former Texas Ranger knuckleballer RA Dickey to the hill tonight in Anaheim. He has a career 2.84 ERA against the Angels. Dickey has developed a few different versions of his knuckleball and it may take the Angels a while before they figure him out.
Joe Saunders takes the mound against the Mariners for the second time in six days. While he fared pretty well in that outing the M's beat him up pretty well a year ago. Saunders permitted the Mariners a .340 batting average in two starts against them in 2007. Having just faced them less than a week ago the advantage goes to the hitters and we expect Seattle to have their way with him tonight.
On the season Seattle is hitting .315 vs lefties and averaging 7.07 runs per game. They are on a 30-13 run vs left-handed starters. We get a nice payoff here for what could be the better team.
PLAY SEATTLE
LT Profits
New York Rangers
In all honesty, the New York Rangers should have swept their opening round series vs. the rival New Jersey Devils already, as the Devils’ lone win came on a lucky bounce in overtime. Look for the Rangers to officially put the Devils out of their misery tonight.
The Rangers actually bear a strong resemblance to the Devils’ Stanley Cup winning teams this season. They have a defensive mindset and a great goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist, in fact allowing the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference at just 2.32 goals per game. This has more than offset the fact that the offense is averaging a rather ordinary 2.60 goals per contest.
However, that approach has worked to perfection vs. a Devils team that is also offensively challenged. The Rangers went 7-1 vs. New Jersey during the regular season, with the Devils not even managing a point against them until that lone victory, a 3-2 shootout win in the second-to-last games of the season.
Now the Rangers only average 2.56 goals on the road, but again, that is offset by the fact that the Devils only average 2.47 goals per game at home. Thus, it is not a total shock that the Rangers have yet to lose here in New Jersey all year, going 6-0 in the regular season and playoffs combined.
It was thought before this series began that the Rangers were the worst possible first round matchup for the Devils despite New Jersey owning the home ice advantage. Well, it appears that those fears were correct and we look for the Rangers to end the Devils’ season tonight by concluding a season sweep in New Jersey.
Pick: Rangers +100
Seattle Mariners +150
Joe Saunders of the Los Angeles Angles was a popular fantasy baseball sleeper selection before this season, but it appears that the value on him is gone at this price vs. the Seattle Mariners.
Yes, Saunders had an outstanding spring, and that has carried over to his first three starts as he has a 1.27 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 21 innings with the Angels winning all three of his starts. However, has he really done enough over his brief career to merit this much favoritism over a capable opponent? Besides, he has just one Quality Start in four outings vs. the Mariners, falling two-thirds of an inning short of a QS last week when he allowed two runs in 5.1 innings against Seattle despite allowing nine men to reach base.
Now R.A. Dickey is making his first start as a Mariner, and he was mediocre at best when he started for the Texas Rangers in recent seasons. However, Dickey has had some success here in Anaheim, going a perfect two for two in Quality Starts here while allowing a total of four runs and 14 baserunners in 14 innings. If we add in his home starts vs. the Halos while he was with Texas, Dickey is actually four for five in Quality Starts against them in his short career.
All things considered, this price seems inflated to us, so we will go with the value play on Seattle at the generous number.
Pick: Mariners +150
VEGAS EXPERTS TIP OF THE DAY
San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals
The Giants’ Matt Cain may the worst value on the road in all of baseball. Over the last two seasons, San Francisco has lost 13 of his 16 starts away from home, including all ten where the total was between 7 and 8.5. Cain also doesn’t perform well in night games, owning a 4-19 team start record. The Cards’ Todd Wellemeyer, on the other hand, has led his team to wins in 11 of his 14 outings, including two wins over the Giants.
Play on: St. Louis