TONY MATTHEWS
15 Stars: Boston/Detroit Over 174.5
Big Al
At 1:05pm our selection is on the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays 'under' the total. After a surprising start which saw the Royals win nine of their first fifteen games, the team has now come back down to earth, having won just twelve games since mid April. Although nobody expected them to continue the way they started, their fall has been somewhat meteoric, even for that franchise. Today, the Royals will take on Toronto, and even though the Jays lost arguably their biggest offensive weapon in outfielder Vernon Wells for six to eight weeks with a broken wrist, they have managed to stay in contention. Indeed, Toronto has maintained a winning record since his injury. But the Jays are doing it mostly with dominant pitching in low-scoring games as Toronto's bullpen continues to be one of the top relief squads in the American League. The under is 19-8 in KC's last 27 games on artificial turf and 11-2 in Toronto's last thirteen home games as well as 23-8-1 in their last 32 overall. Take the 'under'.
Frank Rosenthal
NBA
709 Celtics+5 Sb
Over 175 Sb+
Major League Baseball
902 Braves-110 Sb
903 Nym+125 Sb
909 Sf+120 Sb
915 Cards+140 Sb
921 Angels+105 Sb
924 Rays-160 Sb
928 Tigers-155 Sb
930 A's+120 Sb
Wunderdog
Pittsburgh at Detroit
Pick: UNDER 5.5
We like the UNDER in game 1. Detroit has allowed just 1.5 goals per game at home while Pittsburgh's defense has allowed 1.9 per game in the playoffs. The Penguins are 26-19 UNDER on the road this year including 19-11 UNDER to a total of 5.5. When well rested, Detroit also tends to play to the UNDER as they are a perfect 7-0 UNDER the past two seasons at home when playing three or less games over a ten day span. Take the UNDER top open the final chase for Lord Stanley's Cup.
Wunderdog
Game: Kansas City at Toronto
Pick: Toronto -133
The Royals have settled down, and this young team will have its bright moments this season, but at the same time they will be prone to long droughts as well. They are currently in one now as they have dropped 5 straight. Not only has the pitching gone south, allowing 33 runs in the 5 games, but the bats as well, as they have plated just 13 runs, or 2.6 a game. Luke Hochevar has been average, but like many young pitchers he has problems with command, and has walked 18 in his last 4 starts. The Jays have suddenly gone 8-3 in their last 11, and the pitching has been masterful, allowing 3.5rpg, including a 10 run game, meaning just 2.6rpg in 10 of 11. Jesse Litsch has allowed 5 hits or less in 5 consecutive starts, and stands at 5-1 on the season, and we will back him, and the Jays at home
WILD BILL
Giants -105 (1 unit)
Under 8 1/2 Royals-Jays (1 unit)
Under 9 Angels-White Sox (1 unit)
Orioles +160 (2 units)
Over 8 Texas-Indians (1 unit)
Boston -145 (3 units)
JB Sports
Detroit Pistons 3*
The Fat Jack
CELTICS
Computer Crushers Guaranteed Selections
500,000 UNIT BASEBALL CRUSHER WINNER
Toronto w/Litsch -133
Erin Rynning
MLB Minnesota Twins
NBA passing
Root
Chairman - Colorado
Millionaire - Cubs
Millionaire - Cinci
Ness
15* White Sox
GamblersWorld
TIP OF THE DAY
Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays
Current Line: -149 Over/Under: 9 Reason: If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Saturday when the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays meet at Tropicana Field. Righthander Steve Trachsel will take the mound for the Orioles to start this game. Trachsel is 2-4 this season with a 6.75 ERA. It'll be Edwin Jackson toeing the rubber for the Rays in this contest. Righthander Jackson is 2-3 with a 3.29 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 149-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game's total is sitting at 9. Matt Garza tossed 7 1-3 scoreless innings on Friday, as the Rays blanked the Orioles 2-0. The Rays won that game as -135 favorites, while the two runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (8.5). Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena drove in the runs for the Rays. Troy Percival closed out the ninth to earn his 14th save. Jeremy Guthrie allowed four hits and one run over 6 1-3 innings in the loss for the Orioles, who were +125 underdogs. Current streak: Baltimore has lost 3 straight games. Team records: Baltimore: 24-23 SU Tampa Bay: 28-20 SU Baltimore most recently: When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-7 After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6 Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Saturday are 7-3 Before playing Baltimore are 6-4 After playing Baltimore are 5-5 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of Baltimore's last 9 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games at home Tampa Bay is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Baltimore Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Fairway Jay
MLB 3* Atlanta Braves (Campillo)
MLB 3* Brewers/Nationals Under 9
MLB 4* Cardinals/Dodgers Over 8.5
Karl Garrett
30 Dime Pistons
10 Dime Yanks Over
10 Dime Blue Jays
Steam On-Line Guaranteed Selections
5000* BASEBALL LATE STEAMER WINNER
NY Yankees w/Mussina