King Creole
Today's Pick: MINNESOTA TWINS
We'll gladly take a home DOG with a starting pitcher in significantly better current form than his favored counterpart. GLENN PERKINS get the nod tonight against the Yankees. The 2004 first-round pick has been a pleasant surprise for the Twins since his recall May 10 after Scott Baker went on the 15-day DL with a groin injury. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his four starts and has lasted at least six innings in each outing. That's a quality start percentage of 100& on the year and it doesn't get any better than 100%. Not a bad debut as a major league starting pitcher. Last two starts have resulted in wins with an ERA of only 1.93. And his current K/BB form is also sharp at 16-4 on the season (4 K's for every BB).
MIKE MUSSINA is off a rocky start vs the Mariners at home last Saturday as he went only 5 innings... allowed 4 earned runs (7.20 ERA).... allowed 8 hits and walks (2.00 WHIP).... and 2 home runs. His recent history against tonight's opponent is what seals the deal for us tonight. Mussina is 1-7 vs the Twins since 2003... and a PERFECT 0-5 vs them since the 2004 season. His ERA "In the Park" is also pretty shaky at 6.27 in 4 starts dating back to 2004. The role of ROAD FAVORITE is NOT a good one for the Pin-Stripers. Yankees are a pathetic 1-6 in their last 7 games as road favorite. Also a PERFECT 0-4 when plying after an off-day... 1-6 in Game One of a series... and they also have their problems vs southpaws (8-23 in last 31 games vs lefties). Take the Twins.
Rocky Atkinson
Today's Pick: NEW YORK METS
NY Mets are 8-1 this year at home when the total is 8 to 8 1/2. Dodgers have lost 4 in a row while the Mets have won 3 in a row. LA Dodgers are scoring only 3.7 runs per game against right handed starters this year. NY Mets bullpen has a 3.55 ERA overall this year and a 2.56 ERA at home this season. Maine has a 3.41 ERA overall this year and he is 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA at home this season. We'll play the NY Mets for 3 units tonight!
Wunderdog
Game: Colorado at Chicago Cubs
Pick: Chicago Cubs -154
Chicago owns the best mark in the league at 33-21 and they have won four straight. We really like their chances today of getting #5 in a row. Yes, Aaron Cook goes for Colorado and he has been a lone bright spot for the Rockies. But, his ERA has been slipping of late (4.29 over his last three starts compared to sub 2.50 in his first eight). And he just gets no run support. Colorado is averaging 3.7 runs per game on the road. Over the past seven games, Colorado has lost by an average of 4.3 runs per game! Chicago is the exact opposite. They are averaging 6.4 runs per game at home this season on .307 hitting. Lilly has been average at best but with that kind of run support, and a very solid pen (3.14 ERA) backing him up, he'll do fine against this weak Rockies offense. Chicago is 18-4 this season to a line of -100 to -150. Let's make that 19-4 after today.
SportsKingz
MLB
CLEVELAND -135
YANKEES -115
CINCY R/L +125
FLORIDA +145
CUBS -150
NBA
DETROIT -5
UNDER 175.5
Frank Rosenthal
NBA PLAYOFFS
CELTICS+5.5
OVER 174
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
FISH OVER 10.5
NYM-135
UNDER 8
BREWERS-130
PIRATES OVER 8.5
GIANTS-120
RAYS-140
TWINS+105
KC+120
TIGERS UNDER 9.5
Larry Ness
Houston Astros @ Milwaukee Brewers
PICK: Milwaukee Brewers
The Astros and Brewers open a three-game series in Milwaukee tonight. Milwaukee has been an excellent home team the last two seasons going 99-63 (plus-$1,950), but has not played all that well in Miller Park this year (13-10 and plus-$39). The Brewers will send Manny Parra to the mound and he's 2-2 with a 5.11 ERA in 10 starts (team is 5-5 ), lasting as long as six innings just once. However, I'll back him and the Brewers tonight, as the Astros will start Brandon Backe. Backe looks to be healthy this year, after making just 13 starts the past two seasons. He's made 11 starts in 2008, going 4-5 with a 4.19 ERA. The team is 5-6 in his starts but his home and away breakdowns are in keeping with what's been his history since coming to the Astros. Backe owns a road ERA of 5.46 this year and quite understandably, the Astros are 1-5 in his away starts. However, his home ERA is 2.90 and they are 4-1 in those five home starts. Backe came on the scene for Houston back in 2004 and in his injury-shortened career has seen the Astros go 12-20 in his road starts but 25-6 in his home starts (including his 2008 numbers). Backe is quite vulnerable on the road and I'm expecting the Brewers to begin playing better here in Miller Park on a regular basis. Take the Brewers.
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on St. Louis Cardinals -156
Oddsmakers are asking us to lay some heavy juice on the Cards but they're worth it today. The Pirates are only 10-26 in their last 36 road games and 27-57 in their last 84 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150. The Pirates are also 30-75 in their last 105 road games vs. a team with a winning record and a pathetic 5-23 in Duke's last 28 starts as a road underdog. The Cardinals are 8-3 in their last 11 overall and 6-1 in Wellemeyer's last 7 home starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Pirates are 19-42 in the last 61 meetings in this matchup and they find themselves at a heavy disadvantage again today.
Brandon Lang
15 Dime - Mets
5 Dime - Pistons
5 Dime - Red Sox
FREE - Cleveland Indians
Computer Crusher
STRONG 500,000 UNIT BASEBALL CRUSHER WINNER
Texas w/Milwood +110
BIG AL's NATIONAL LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK
At 8:05pm our selection is on the Milwaukee Brewers over the Houston Astros. If there was an award for a player who is carrying his team on his back more than any other in baseball, that award would have to go to Houston's Lance Berkman. Berkman leads his team in every offensive category and is a serious threat for the National League Triple Crown (he'd be leading in all three Triple Crown categories were it not for the Braves' Chipper Jones batting well over .400 right now). Unfortunately, nobody is carrying Houston's pitching the way Berkman is carrying the offense. Normal ace Roy Oswalt is clearly struggling trying still to overcome his nagging injuries and the rest of the rotation is having their share of problems as well. Tonight's starter, righthander Brandon Backe, has decent numbers on the year, until you look at his home vs. away splits. At the normally hitter-friendly home park of Minute Maid, Backe is a very respectable 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA but away from home, he is a dreadful 1-4 with a 5.46 ERA. Milwaukee lefthander Manny Parra is just the opposite of Backe with a 1-2 record and 6.95 ERA on the road and 1-0 with 3.62 ERA at home. This obviously bodes well for Milwaukee and not so well for Houston tonight. Add to this the fact that Houston apparently doesn't like Milwaukee very much as it is 1-7 in its last eight meetings in this city. Take the Brewers.
Michael Cannon
15 Dime
PISTONS
Take the Pistons as the home chalk tonight over the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
I know there is some question about the status of Rip Hamilton tonight, but if there is one team in the entire league equipped to handle the loss of a leading scorer it’s Detroit.
The Pistons depth has been a source of strength the entire season. You need to look no further than the job Rodney Stuckey has done since Chauncey Billups went down with an injury.
I’m confident that the Pistons have all the necessary ingredients in place for a win and cover tonight in the Palace.
Besides, watching the Celtics in the 4th quarter of Game 5 put some serious doubts in my mind about their killer instinct and ability to close. They looked tentative and scared and basically shifted into a play-not-to-lose mode.
That came about with the Celtics holding a double-digit lead.
It’s no surprise then that Boston is only 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games. They are also just 1-7 ATS in their last eight road games, 2-8 ATS on one day of rest, 1-4 ATS as a dog and 1-4 ATS after a SU win.
Detroit is on positive ATS runs of 14-6 in its last 20 games going back to the regular season, 8-2 on one day of rest, 6-0 after a SU loss, 6-2 as a chalk and 14-5 at the Palace.
Take the Pistons minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
5 Dime
WHITE SOX (With Contreras as listed pitcher)
Take the White Sox as the road dog for the win over Tampa Bay tonight.
Chicago will start Jose Contreras and he’s been perfect against the Rays in his career, going 5-0 with a 2.89 ERA in eight appearances. The White Sox have also had great success against the Rays overall, going 8-1 in the last nine meetings, including a 7-1 mark at Tampa during that span.
The ChiSox have been hot overall as well, going 12-3 in their last 15 overall games. They are 8-1 on the road during that span.
Take the White Sox as they grab the road win.
YANKEES (With Mussina as listed pitcher)
Take the Yankees tonight for the road win over the Twins.
Very generous price for the Bronx Bombers tonight. I know they are off to their usual slow start, but there’s been evidence of them breaking out recently.
Mike Mussina will start tonight and he’s 7-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 11 games this year, including a 2-1 mark with a 4.50 ERA over his last three starts.
Mussina has had great success against Minnesota in his career, going 20-6 with a 3.18 ERA in 30 games.
The Twins will counter with youngster Glen Perkins, who has pitched well but has yet to face the formidable Yankees lineup.
Take the Yankees as they grab the road win.
Mr. A's
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis will send Todd Wellemeyer to the mound. The right-hander has pitched outstandingly thus far this season, 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA in his last five starts. He is 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 14 career starts against Pittsburgh and the Cardinals have won five of his last 6 starts at home. The Pirates’ will counter with Zach Duke. The southpaw is 2-2 with a 3.98 ERA in seven career starts against St. Louis, but 0-2 with a 5.60 at Busch Stadium. Take the Cardinals at home with Wellemeyer at the controls. The St. Louis Cardinals have won six of the last nine games versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.
St. Louis Cardinals - 160
NBA
Detroit Pistons - 5
Boston/Detroit Over 175
GINA
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons
The Boston Celtics are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall and just 1-7 ATS in its last eight on the road. However, Boston has covered the spread in five of the last six battles in Motown and with Detroit's leading scorer Richard Hamilton hurting with a strained right elbow, questionable for tonight's games makes matters worse. Tonight's do or die Game 6 battle for the Detroit Pistons should be a close defensive fight. This game could easily go either way. Detroit is tough at home, but just 4-13 ATS in its last 17 conference finals. Take the points!
Boston Celtics +5½
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs
Colorado's Aaron Cook (7-3, 2.82 ERA), the right-hander is 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA in five career games against the Cubs. The Rockies are 4-1 in Cooks last 5 road starts.
Chicago's Ted Lilly (5-4, 5.23) . The lefthander is 2-1 with a 6.59 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies. The Cubs have won seven of Lilly’s last 9 starts at home.
The struggling Rockies hope righty Aaron Cook will end their four game losing streak. The righty has been successful against the Cubs, but hasn't faced them in the Windy City. Go with the hot Cubs to grab their six straight win over the Rockies at home. The Chicago Cubs have won eight of their last 11 games overall, five straight at home and have beaten the Colorado Rockies in the last five at Wrigley Field. Colorado has lost eight of the last 11 contests versus Chicago.
Chicago Cubs - 150
ROB VENO
The Dodgers prized 20-year old left-hander Clayton Kershaw had a very strong major league debut as he threw 102 pitches over the course of six full innings and limited the St. Louis Cardinals to two runs on five hits. Kershaw recorded seven strikeouts while only walking one and he had a chance to be the winner as LA led 3-2 after six innings. After being touched up for a run scoring double with one out in the first by Albert Pujols, Kershaw went on to dominate by retiring 13 of the next 15 batters. St. Louis’ left-handed bats went 0-for-4 against Kershaw and with New York having only one true right-handed hitter through the first six in its order, this matchup should favor Kershaw. Two of the three Mets switch hitters are significantly weaker against lefties and left-handed hitting Carlos Delgado owns a nightmarish .203 batting average versus lefties. Expect Kershaw and the Dodgers excellent bullpen to keep New York quiet on the scoreboard here while Mets starter John Maine does the same to LA. Maine has thrown tremendously at Shea Stadium this year posting a 3-0 record along with a 2.28 ERA. He’s been sharp overall this month throwing four quality starts in his five outings. In those four quality trips to the rubber, Maine has a 0.91 WHIP and 2.39 ERA. With Los Angeles scoring less than 3.5 runs per game since May 7th, look for Maine to have solid success here. The total may open as low as 7.5 but the under will still be a solid play.
atslocksdotcom
15 units Pistons -5
10 units under 175