VEGAS EXPERTS
NY Mets at Washington Nationals
This just in. The Washington Nationals are not a good team. They are opposed tonight by Oliver Perez, who owns a sensational 15-1 team start record on the road if favored by -150 or less. Mets are 4-0 vs. the Nats this season and 15-4 here in the Nation's Capital overall. Over the last two seasons, Washington is a revolting 5-29 vs. pitchers with an ERA less than 3.50.
Play on: NY Mets
Marc Lawrence
Play On: St. Louis vs Gorzelanny
Note: Cardinals and Pirates close out this mini-two game set in Pittsburgh against Tom Gorzelanny who is struggling in a major way to start the season. That's confirmed by the fact he has issued 12 walks against just 6 strikeouts in his last three starts. He's also winless (0-2) at home against the Red Birds with a 4.51 ERA in his MLB career. Look for the Cardinals to have their way here tonight.
James Patrick Sport
Cardinals vs. Pirates
St. Louis has had their way with the Bucs in the Steel City and our Major League Baseball complimentary selection is St. Louis as they look for their 17th win in their past 26 outings at Pittsburgh.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: over
Reason: Texas has played the over in 4 straight games and 5 of their last 6. The over is 5-1 in their last 6 road games. Jason Jennings will take his 7.08 ERA to the mound vs. a Tigers team that has found their offense. Detroit has played the over in 8 of their last 11 games. The over is 5-0 in their last 5 home games. In their last 36 games vs. a team with a winning % below 400 the over is a profitable 26-6-4. The over is 5-0 in Bonderman's last 5 starts vs. Texas. The first two games of the series easily played the over and this one will too. Play the over.
SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(6) Toronto (41-43, 39-44-1 ATS) at (3) Orlando (54-30, 51-30-3 ATS)
The Magic take a 2-0 series lead north of the border when they meet the now-desperate Raptors for Game 3 of this best-of-7 opening-round series at the Air Canada Centre.
Behind another dominant effort from Dwight Howard, Orlando narrowly held off Toronto 104-103 Tuesday night, failing to cover as a 6½-point home chalk. Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, giving him back-to-back 20-20 efforts in this series. Although the Magic had their four-game ATS run halted, they are still on a 5-0 SU tear and are 8-3 SU and 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 starts. Toronto, meanwhile, ended a four-game pointspread slide but is still just 3-7 SU and ATS in its last 10 games.
The Magic are on a 3-0 SU run against Toronto (2-1 ATS), with all three games in Orlando. However, dating to 2005, the Raptors are now 9-3 ATS against the Magic (7-5 SU), and they are on a 7-1 ATS stretch when facing Orlando in Toronto.
Despite Tuesday’s ATS setback, the Magic still are on a plethora of positive pointspread streaks, including 5-1 against the Eastern Conference, 4-1 on the highway, 27-9-1 after a non-cover, 14-5-1 as a road ‘dog, 21-8 getting less than five points on the road and 10-4 on one days’ rest. One negative note: Orlando is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 Thursday starts.
The Raptors are 37-16-2 ATS against Southeast Division opponents and 5-1 ATS on Thursday, but the ATS trends are all negative from there, including 8-20 overall, 2-8 against teams with a winning SU mark, 3-7 against the East, 2-8 on one days’ rest and 1-7 following a spread-cover.
The over has cashed in the first two games of this playoff series and is also 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams and 4-1 in the last five when Toronto hosts Orlando. In addition, the over is 7-1 in Orlando’s last eight first-round playoff games, 4-0 in Toronto’s last four first-round games and 5-1 for the Raptors against winning teams.
Conversely, the under is on streaks of 6-1 for Orlando on the road, 14-5 for Orlando after a SU win, 6-2-1 for Toronto at home and 8-3-1 for the Raptors after a SU loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(5) Washington (43-41, 46-38 ATS) at (4) Cleveland (47-37, 39-45 ATS)
The defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers, who are coming off an impressive Game 2 victory, take their show on the road to the Verizon Center against the Wizards, who are in a must-win situation trailing this best-of-7 series 2-0.
LeBron James & Co. led Washington by 13 points at halftime Monday and poured it on from there in a 116-86 rout, with Cleveland easily cashing as a 1½-point home favorite. The Cavs have cashed in both games in this series and are 3-1 ATS in their last four starts after going 2-8 ATS in their pervious 10 outings. Meanwhile, the Wizards have followed up a 4-1 SU and ATS surge with a three-game SU and ATS slide.
The Cavs have now beaten the Wizards eight straight times in the playoffs over the last three postseasons (6-2 ATS), including a 4-0 sweep in last year’s first round (3-1 ATS). In 2006, the Cavs won in six games, going 3-3 ATS.
Including Monday’s contest, Cleveland is now 4-2 SU and ATS against Washington this year (3-0 ATS in the last three), with the home team winning all six contests (4-2 ATS). Finally, the favorite in this rivalry is on a 6-2 ATS run.
The Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last four first-round playoff games – all against Washington – and are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 as a playoff underdog and 31-15 ATS in their last 46 as a road pup. However, they carry negative ATS trends of 2-5 against teams with a winning record, 1-4 after a pointspread win, 2-9 after putting up more than 100 points and 1-6 after a SU win of more than 10 points.
The Wizards are on negative ATS runs of 1-6 after a SU loss, 1-4 against winning teams and 2-5 as a home favorite. On the bright side, they’re 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played on two days’ rest and 11-4 ATS in their last 15 as a home chalk of five to 10½ points.
Although Monday’s game sailed over the posted price of 188½, the under for Cleveland is still on runs of 7-1 overall, 4-0 as an underdog, 5-0 as a pup of 5 to 10½ points and 13-3 as a playoff ‘dog. On the flip side, for Washington, the over is on streaks of 13-3 at the Verizon Center, including 11-0 as a home chalk, 9-4 overall, 5-1 after a SU loss, 22-8 against the East and 6-3 in the playoffs (all against Cleveland). Finally, the over is 6-2 the last eight clashes between these rivals in Washington.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON and OVER
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(4) Utah (56-28, 48-36 ATS) at (5) Houston (55-29, 47-35-2 ATS)
The Jazz, who took complete control of this best-of-7 series by winning the first two games in Houston, head home to EnergySolutions Arena – where they have lost just four times all season – for Game 3 against the Rockets.
Utah edged Houston 90-84 Monday, covering for the second straight game as a one-point underdog. The Jazz have cashed in nine of their last 10 starts overall (8-2 SU), while the Rockets have slid to 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five after a 5-0 SU and ATS streak. The straight-up winner is 12-0 ATS in Houston’s last 12 contests.
Jerry Sloan’s club has now beaten Houston in four straight playoff games, covering in all four, going back to last season’s seven-game first-round series. Utah is on an 8-1 overall ATS run against Houston (7-2 SU) and is 6-1 ATS in its last seven at home against the Rockets. On the flip side, the road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six clashes in this rivalry, all as an underdog.
The Rockets are on an 0-7 ATS freefall in the playoffs – all against Utah – and are on several more pointspread slides, including 1-4 as an underdog overall, 0-4 as a playoff underdog, 0-5 as a road pup of five to 10½ points and 0-4 against the Northwest Division. However, Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five when playing on two days’ rest and 23-8-3 ATS in its last 34 Thursday starts.
The Jazz are on a bevy of positive ATS streaks, including 25-8 against the Western Conference, 8-1 against the Southwest Division, 38-16-1 against winning teams, 6-0-1 as a playoff favorite, 7-1 after a spread-cover, 6-1 after a SU win and 37-14-1 at home. On the negative side, Utah is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 playing on two days’ rest and 4-10 ATS in its last 14 on Thursday.
The under for Houston is on runs of 6-1 overall, 4-0 as a ‘dog of any price, 17-5 as a road pup of five to 10½ points, 11-2 against the Northwest Division and 8-3 in first-round playoff games. For Utah, the under is 11-3-1 in the team’s last 14 against the Southwest Division, 15-6 in its last 20 first-round playoff games and 6-2 in the last eight overall. Finally, the under is 2-0 in this series and 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in Salt Lake City.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona (15-6) at L.A. Dodgers (9-12)
The National League West-leading Diamondbacks, who opened this two-game midweek series Wednesday night with an 8-3 loss, send right-hander Edgar Gonzalez (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to the Dodger Stadium hill against fellow righty Chad Billinsgley (0-3, 6.14).
Arizona had been on a 14-3 tear prior to last night’s defeat, scoring at least four runs in all 17 of those contests. Despite the setback, the DBacks still has a commanding six-game lead in the N.L. West, and is the only team in the division with a winning record.
Los Angeles is still just 5-10 in its last 15 games after last night’s victory, though it has won three straight at home. In a bit of an oddity, the Dodgers have scored eight runs or more in each of their last four wins and one run or fewer in five of their last six losses.
Dating to last season, the Diamondbacks are on a 9-4 run against the Dodgers (4-3 in L.A.).
Gonzalez will make his fourth start of the season, having gotten no-decisions in two outings, though Arizona won both those games. Last Saturday against San Diego, he allowed three runs on four hits in six innings, and the DBacks pulled away late for a 10-3 victory. Gonzalez has struggled against the Dodgers, with a 1-4 career mark and a troubling 8.48 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). However, he won his lone start at Dodger Stadium last season, allowing just one run on six hits in five innings.
Billingsley came on in relief in his first two outings of the season, allowing one run on three hits in 2 1/3 innings. But he’s been the loser in all three starts since then, including a 4-1 setback Saturday at Atlanta in which he allowed all four runs (all in the fifth inning) on six hits in five innings, although he did strike out nine. Billingsley is 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA against Arizona in six starts (eight appearances), though he got blasted at Arizona on April 8, giving up five runs on five hits in just 2 1/3 innings.
The Diamondbacks are on streaks of 4-1 against right-handed starters, 5-1 on the highway and 5-2 on Thursday, but they are 4-10 in their last 14 road games versus righties and 6-19 in their last 27 with Gonzalez an underdog.
The Dodgers are also 5-2 in their last seven on Thursday and are a solid 18-7 in their last 25 as a home chalk and 4-0 in Billingsley’s last four Thursday. On the flip side, L.A. is 4-7 in its last 11 against right-handers and 2-5 in its last seven against the N.L. West.
The over for Arizona is on a 9-2-1 overall streak, but the under is on run of 36-18-3 in DBacks road games against right-handed starters, 13-4 when Gonzalez works on the road and 12-4 when Gonzalez is a road underdog. For Los Angeles, the over is on a 6-1 run at Dodger Stadium and is 8-3-1 with the Dodgers favored. But the under is 11-4 in Billingsley’s last 15 starts overall and 5-2 in his last seven home outings. Finally, even though last night’s game flew over the total, the under is still 6-3 in the last nine series battles at Dodger Stadium.
ATS ADVANTAGE UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (12-10) at Chicago White Sox (11-9)
The Yankees, who are looking to sweep this three-game road series at U.S. Cellular Field, will pit struggling young righty Phil Hughes (0-3, 8.82 ERA) against White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd (2-0, 1.40).
New York opened the series with a 9-5 victory Tuesday night, then claimed a 6-4 victory Wednesday night for its third straight win. That streak comes on the heels of a three-game skid – which, oddly enough, was preceded by another three-game winning streak. Tonight, New York is looking to win four in a row for the first time in 2008.
Chicago has lost four of its last six following a 4-1 run, and they’ve dropped three of their last four at home. The Sox are just 4-5 at U.S. Cellular this season, though they have won 11 of their last 18 starts overall.
The Yankees have owned this series lately, winning seven of the last eight clashes, including five in a row at Chicago.
Hughes opened the season with a solid start, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings, getting a no-decision in a 3-2 New York victory over Toronto on April 3. However, he’s been tagged for 15 runs in 10 1/3 innings since then in three road starts, including five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings last Friday in an 8-2 setback at Baltimore. Hughes, a 21-year-old who made 13 starts last season in his first year with the Yanks, is facing the White Sox for the first time.
Floyd, a veteran by comparison at 25 years old, got off to a 2-0 start by allowing just three runs in 13 1/3 innings, then got a no-decision last Thursday in Baltimore after yielding two runs (none earned) on two hits in six innings in his team’s 6-5 loss. In his lone appearance against New York, though, Floyd allowed five runs on six hits in three innings of relief in a 16-3 Yankees rout last July at the Stadium.
The Yankees are on 5-1 road tear against right-handed starters and are 5-2 in their last seven as a road favorite and an astounding 161-75 in their last 236 games against the A.L. Central. That said, New York is only 2-5 in Hughes’ last seven road starts and 1-4 with Hughes a road favorite.
Despite two straight home losses to the Yanks, the White Sox are still 4-1 in their last five as a home ‘dog and 8-3 in their last 11 overall as an underdog. On the downside, they are 3-7 in Floyd’s last 10 starts overall and 2-6 in their last eight Thursday contests.
The over has cashed the past two nights in this series and is 4-1 in the last five clashes overall. But beyond that, the “under” trends are heavy for both teams, including 10-3 for New York overall, 7-2 for New York on the road against winning teams, 8-2 with the Yanks a road chalk, 8-2 for Chicago overall and 8-1 for the Sox in Floyd’s last nine starts. Finally, the under is 10-5-2 the last 17 Yankees-Sox battles in Chicago.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO and UNDER
Mike Rose
Chicago White Sox
Youngster Phil Hughes will look to get off the schneid this evening and pick up his first victory of the year in the final game of the series. He enters tonight’s start 0-3 with a lofty 8.82 ERA allowing 25 hits and 16 earned runs with a K/BB ratio of 10/10 in just a little over 16 innings of work. He’s been roughed up in his last three starts of which all came on the road. Baltimore pounded him for nine hits and five earned runs in last weekends start at Camden Yards. He’s yet to face the White Sox stout line-up in his career.
Gavin Floyd has been simply sensational to start the season for the White Sox, and Manager Ozzie Guillen hopes he has it in him again tonight to allow his club to take one from the “Bronx Bombers”. Over his last two starts, Floyd has allowed three hits over 13 1/3 innings, without giving up an earned run. He flirted with a no-hitter against Detroit at home back on April 12th, and then retired the first 12 batters he faced in his next start. Overall, Floyd’s 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA allowing a measly nine hits and three earned runs in a shade under 20 innings of work. He’s never started against the Yankees in his career.
The Yankees have had the White Sox number recently winning 7 of the L/8 meetings overall, and they’re 6-3 the L/9 times they’ve squared off in US Cellular Field. However, they’re 1-4 in Hughes’ L/5 starts as a road favorite between –110 and –150. Chicago’s 4-1 the L/5 times they were installed an underdog at home including Tuesday night’s loss, and they’re yet to lose game three of a series this season (4-0), which includes a 2-0 mark after a loss.
Matt Fargo
Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies
Play:Chicago Cubs
It’s hard to go against this price considering the Cubs are currently the hottest team in baseball and are finding ways to win whether it is from solid pitching or great hitting or a combination of both. Chicago has won six straight, nine of 10 and 14 of 17 to build a two-game lead in the already tough National League Central. The Cubs are 5-2 on the road and with the extra-inning victory on Wednesday, they have won seven of the last nine meetings in this series.
Colorado has certainly had an up and down start to the young season. After starting the year 1-5, the Rockies went 8-3 in their next 11 games but since then, they have dropped four in a row as the pitching simply has not shown up. They have allowed 7.5 rpg during this recent skid and that pitching has been inconsistent all season, posting a 4.55 ERA including 5.42 at home. The offense has not been much better as the Rockies are hitting .249 including .252 at home, compared to .280 and .298 respectively last season.
Jason Marquis takes the hill for the Cubs as he looks to back up his last start with a similar performance. He allowed just one run in six innings against the Pirates in an easy 13-1 victory. After issuing five walks against the Phillies in his previous start, he gave up just one. All three of his outings have improved from the last and the Cubs are 3-0 in his three starts. Most pitchers have had trouble in Coors Field but Marquis is not one of those. In three starts, he is 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Aaron Cook is the ace of this Rockies pitching staff and he has been the one bright spot in a season of struggles. After a rough outing against the Cardinals to start the year, he has tossed three straight complete games and that is a key factor here. Being the ace of the Rockies doesn’t say a lot and his 4.43 career ERA is telling us to go against here based on the quality outing situation with a non-high echelon pitcher. He has a 2.35 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs but his 1.39 WHIP is a big problem. Play Chicago Cubs 1.5 Units
Dave Cokin
Angels @ Red Sox
Play: Red Sox
The Red Sox have had to juggle their rotation with Beckett's neck acting up along with a flu bug sidelining Matsuzaka. That's created an opening for the debut of hot shot prospect Justin Masterson. He's been lights out at AA Portland to start the season, and it widely regarded as behind only Clay Buchholz on the Boston pitching prospect chart. Joe Saunders goes for the Angels here, and he's been very solid. But the price is going to be lower than it ought to be with the somewhat unknown quantity making his bow and I believe the value will be on the Red Sox and Masterson to win this series windup.
Big Al Mcmordie
Game: Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves
Prediction: under
Reason: At 7:10 pm ET our complimentary selection is on the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves 'under' the total. Tonight's game features two starters with ERAs of at least seven runs: Florida's righthander Burke Badenhop and Atlanta's southpaw Chuck James. For James' part, he's only had two starts, and he pitched well in his second outing and may have been hurting in his first one. He also has only given up two walks so far this season so control has not been a problem. In fact, control has almost never been a problem for James, who has given up no more than 1 free pass in any of this last nine starts going back to last August. And James always seems to pitch well against the Marlins, as in four lifetime starts he has only given up a total of four earned runs in almost 27 innings of work. Not hurting James' cause tonight is the fact that Florida is batting below the Mendoza line (.199) against lefties this season. Badenhop can be partially excused because he is a rookie who pitched all but 18 innings in the Minors at the single 'A' level, so he is being thrust into a starting role due more to Florida's pitching injuries (Josh Johnson, Sergio Mitre, Anibel Sanchez) than for any other reason. It didn't help that Badenhop's first Major League start was in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in Houston, and he should fare much better in pitcher-friendly Turner Field tonight. Take the 'under'.
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Orlando Magic + 4 over (at) Toronto Raptors
Orlando finished an NBA second best 38-14 versus the East, and an East second best 27-14 on the road. The Magic are 4-1 (3-2 ATS) versus Toronto this season.
Chicago Cubs (Marquis) + 125* over (at) Colorado (Cook)
Cubs are 9-1 last ten games off winning at Colorado 7-6 Wednesday night, outhitting the Rockies 15-8. These two pitchers faced off in Colorado last August, Cubs winning 6-2.
Jim Feist
CLE Cavaliers @ WAS Wizards
Take Under
Cleveland has reverted back to the style of play that got them to the NBA Finals last season ? a defensive oriented game plan. They held the explosive Wizards to 86 points in each of the first two games. The Cavaliers are on a 7-1 run under the total. Now playing at Washington in a hostile environment, there?s no need for the Cavs to change their style if they want to put the pressure on the Wizards. Look for the visitors to control the tempo, play the Cavaliers/Wizards under the total
Ross Benjamin
Toronto (Halladay) @ Tampa Bay (Hammel)
Play On: Toronto -145
Roy Halladay is 6-0 in his team starts at Tampa with an excellent 2.11 ERA since 2005. The Blue Jays have hit .302 as a team versus right-handed pitching on the road so far in 2008. Since the 2007 season Tampa is 46-83 as an underdog. Play on the Toronto Blue jays
DCI
NBA
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 3, best-of-7
Orlando 103, TORONTO 101
WASHINGTON 98, Cleveland 95
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 3, best-of-7
UTAH 102, Houston 94
NHL
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 1, best-of-7
MONTREAL 3, Philadelphia 2
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 1, best-of-7
DETROIT 3, Colorado 2
John Fina
Selection: San Francisco Giants +120
Today the San Francisco Giants will be on the road as they take on the San Diego Padres. We will side with the San Francisco Giants as underdogs. The San Francisco Giants will be sending to the mound the much superior pitcher. The San Francisco Giants will send to the mound Tim Lincecum. Tim Lincecum has been solid so far this season. Tim Lincecum is a Perfect 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA on the season. On the other hand, the San Diego Padres will send to the mound Chris Young. Chris Young has been having pitching problems so far this season which is shown by his 4.57 ERA. In addition, the San Diego Padres are 1-3 in Chris Young's 4 starts this season. As you can see, the San Francisco Giants will be sending to the mound the much better pitcher. The San Francisco Giants are already 3-1 (this season) in their last 4 meetings against the San Diego Padres, and should be able to get another win tonight! Take the San Francisco Giants
Play By Play Inc.
NBA
ORLANDO at TORONTO Over 202
NEW ORLEANS at DALLAS Over 195.5
MATT RIVERS
For Thursday take the Magic and the points.
I'm done with the Raptors, I really am. Toronto is a fairly talented team with a stud in Chris Bosh and a speedy point guard in TJ Ford along with Anthony Parker and Andrea Bargnani but this team has underachieved for the last few months and today are laying points to what is the clear better team.
Suure Toronto needs to win and may win but to get a beast in Dwight Howard along with the far superior and more sound team in Orlando plus a handful of points is a no-brainer.
Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis and Nelson are a quality nucleus that will not be flustered here up North. This game will not be easy at all but it is also easily winnable so to get a decent enough number back with the Magic is enough for me.