THE POWER INDEX
NBA
Golden State* 4 over Denver
Dallas* 2 over Utah
L.A. Lakers 7.5 over L.A. Clippers*
JIM FEIST
The battle for the pride of LA has been all Lakers this season, going for the season sweep here. It?s also been a series about defense, mainly by the Lakers, with the last two meetings sailing under the total. The Clippers are a mess on offense, with Chris Kaman out, Corey Maggette hurting, and Sam Cassell long gone. They are 4-1 under the total the last 5 games. The Lakers are surprisingly strong defensively, allowing 44.5% shooting by opponents ? 6th in the NBA. Play the Lakers/Clippers under the total
ARMVIN SPORTS
NHL
NASHVILLE 222
MLB
ST LOUIS CARDINALS -144
JEFF BENTON
For Thursday, take the A's as an underdog against the Blue Jays.
This may seem like an odd play, as Oakland is going for the road sweep and road sweeps are always tough to get, especially for mediocre teams against the A's. However, for whatever reason, Oakland has enjoyed its recent journeys to Canada, as they've now won six straight games in Toronto going back to 2006. Last night, they needed a four-run, ninth-inning rally to pull out a 6-3 victory after scoring late on Monday to win 9-8.
Tonight, Oakland sends young, but talented, lefty Dana Eveland to the mound. When last we saw Mr. Eveland, he was outdueling one C.C. Sabathia on Saturday, allowing the potent Indians just a run on six hits over seven innings, walking just one while whiffing seven in a 6-1 home victory. Obviously, one start does not a season make, but that's very impressive.
Speaking of impressive, that was Blue Jays starter Shawn Marcum in his debut six days ago against Boston, as he held the Sox to three hits and three runs in seven innings with a walk and eight strikeouts en route to a 6-3 win. That performance aside, though, it's still difficult to ignore the fact that Marcum was a much better pitcher on the road last year (7-2, 2.72 ERA) than at home (5-4, 5.66). And one of those poor home outings came against the A's, when Marcum lasted just three innings after allowing six runs and nine hits, losing 6-4.
Add in the fact that Eveland is the first left-handed starter Toronto has faced all year, and I'll back the A's at a nice plus price as they go for their eighth straight win in Canada.
3* OAKLAND A'S (Based on a 1* to 10* rating system)
JAKE TIMLIN
Thursday selection is the Braves & Rockies Over.
Get away day in Denver I look for a higher then expect scoring game at Coors Field despite the fact that both teams top pitchers are going. After all with last night?s game going over the total 8 of the last 11 series games have gone high. Even more help for a high scoring game will be that Francis is struggling to find the zone early this season as lefty carries a 2.06 WHIP and 7.11 ERA into today?s game. Meanwhile Hudson?s 3 plus ERA is not stellar either. Flat out thanks to day time baseball with cold temperatures expect look for both offenses to get their swings in for what will be a higher scoring game then Vegas expect.
John Fina
Selection: Utah/Dallas Over 199
Today we expect a high-scoring game as the Utah Jazz do battle with the Dallas Mavericks. One reason why we expect a high-scoring game is because both these teams have solid offenses. The Utah Jazz (on the road) are scoring an average of 104.3 points per game, while the Dallas Mavericks (at home) are scoring an average of 103.7 points per game. As you can see, both these teams have solid offenses that have the talent to score many points. In addition, these teams have a history of scoring many points in their meetings. In fact, the Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these teams. We expect to see another high-scoring game tonight! Take the Utah Jazz/Dallas Mavericks Over 199
THE POWER INDEX
NHL
Montreal* (-168) 1 over Boston (+168)
Detroit* (-148) .5 over Nashville (+148)
San Jose* (-124) .5 over Calgary (+124)
Anaheim* (-132) .5 over Dallas (+132)
Tom Freese
Game: Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
Reason: The Clippers are in a 86-47 ATS Play Against System that says to go against home teams with revenge from a road loss of 20 or more points if they are playing a team that is off a loss as a favorite in their last game. The Clippers are 0-9 ATS with revenge from a road loss of 20 or more points. The Lakers are 23-12 ATS vs. losing teams and they are 28-11 ATS vs. teams that allow 99 or more points a game. Kobe and company are 26-13 ATS on the road this year and they are 19-8 ATS off a game where this was a combined score of 215 or more points scored. PLAY ON LA LAKERS
DCI
NHL
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 1, best-of-7
MONTREAL 3, Boston 2
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 1, best-of-7
ANAHEIM 3, Dallas 2
DETROIT 3, Nashville 2
SAN JOSE 3, Calgary 2
Michael Cannon
Rangers and Orioles were postponed last night, but I see no reason to change my pick because of that, so let's stick with the Rangers today!
Can't trust Steve Trachsel as far as I can throw him. I know he's had some success in an Oriole uniform, but his track record suggests he's ready for a collapse soon.
Texas will start Kason Gabbard, who had an outstanding season debut. The left-hander threw seven scoreless innings on the road against the Angels in Texas 11-6 win on Friday. He's 1-0 with 2.53 ERA in two career games against Baltimore.
Take the Rangers as they grab the road win.
3* TEXAS
Bobby Maxwell
Today we go with another underdog as we back the Tigers in Boston against the Red Sox.
The Tigers finally broke through on Wednesday and got in the win column with a 7-2 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Now we're banking on them doing it again today.
Nate Robertson (0-0, 9.00 ERA) is on the hill for Detroit today after a shaky opening outing against the White Sox on Friday. he gave up five runs on seven hits in five innings in the Tigers' 8-5 home loss. He left with the game tied at 5-5.
Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (0-0, 4.50) is on the hill and he allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of work in his first start of the season on Friday in Toronto. The last two times he faced the Tigers he took the loss, including last May when the Tigers got to him for five runs on nine hits in seven innings of a 7-2 loss in Fenway.
Robertson beat the Red Sox last July even though he didn't pitch well, giving up four runs on four hits in 6.1 innings of work in the 6-5 Detroit win.
The Tigers got some offense going Wednesday night and expect that to carry over to tonight. We're going to back the better pitcher and play the Tigers in this one with the plus-money on our side.
4* DETROIT
Tony Mathews
Matchup: Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Selection: Tampa Bay Rays -135
Explanation: We will side with the Tampa Bay Rays as they face-off against the Seattle Mariners in Thursday's MLB contest.
The Seattle Mariners will use starting pitcher Miguel Batista. In his first-start of the season, Miguel Batista pitched very poorly. Miguel Batista went only 5 innings while giving up 4 runs. We expect Miguel Batista to struggle once again today.
On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Rays will use starting pitcher Edwin Jackson. Edwin Jackson was very solid in his first-start of the season. In fact, Edwin Jackson went 6 innings while giving up only 1 single run. It's safe to expect another solid performance by Edwin Jackson today.
We will gladly side with the home team who will be sending to the mound the much better starting pitcher!
Take the Tampa Bay Rays -135
SportsKingz
NBA
L.A.LAKERS OVER 208 (15 UNITS)
Brandon Lang
15 Dime - Mavericks
5 Dime - Nationals
5 Dime - Yankees
Free - Cardinals
Drew Gordon
1. 200,000* Jazz
2. 50,000* Pirates
3. 50,000* Cardinals