SPORTS ADVISORS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit (13-15) at N.Y. Yankees (14-15)
The Tigers go for their first three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium in 42 years when they send Nate Robertson (0-3, 6.91 ERA) to the mound opposite struggling New York rookie Ian Kennedy (0-2, 8.53).
Detroit, which entered this series in a 6-21 funk at Yankee Stadium, has taken the first two games by scores of 6-4 and 6-2. The Tigers, who started the season with seven consecutive losses, have won seven of their last nine games, including three straight road wins.
New York, which is missing several key components from its lineup, has dropped five of its last seven, including three in a row in the Bronx. In fact, the Yankees have dipped below .500 at home at 5-6 after finishing last season on a 41-16 romp in New York.
Although the Yankees are still 21-8 in their last 29 home games against Detroit, the Tigers have won four in a row in this rivalry going back to last season. However, Jim Leyland’s club hasn’t swept a three-game series in the Bronx since April 1966.
Robertson has been struggling all season, giving up either four or five runs in all five of his starts, with Detroit losing four of those contests, including Friday’s 4-3 home setback to the Angels. In that contest, the southpaw yielded all four runs on six hits despite pitching a season-high seven innings. Going back to last September, the Tigers are 2-6 in Robertson’s last eight trips to the hill.
Robertson is 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA in two road starts this year. Also, Detroit is 0-5 in Robertson’s last five starts against the Yankees, and he’s 1-5 with a 4.86 ERA in seven career outings against New York, including 0-3 with a 6.97 ERA in five games at Yankee Stadium, with Detroit losing all five contests.
Kennedy, who is making his first career start against the Tigers tonight, gave up three runs on four hits in five innings on Saturday at Cleveland, getting a no-decision in New York’s 4-3 loss. Kennedy has struggled with his control all season, as he has more walks (17) than strikeouts (15).
Kennedy’s lone home start this year was a disaster, as he got tagged for six runs on four hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings in a 13-4 loss to Tampa Bay back on April 4.
The under is 21-7-1 in Robertson’s last 29 road outings and 5-1 in his last six outings against New York. Also, the under is on runs of 6-2-3 for Detroit overall, 4-0-1 for Detroit on the road, 5-0-1 for the Yankees overall, 7-3-1 at Yankee Stadium this year and 16-5-1 for New York as a favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and UNDER
Toronto (11-18) at Boston (18-12)
After beating the Blue Jays each of the last two nights in their final at-bat, the Red Sox look to complete the sweep tonight as veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (2-0, 4.06) opposes Toronto’s A.J. Burnett (2-2, 6.07).
Boston got a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull out a 1-0 win Tuesday, then turned the trick again on Wednesday in a 2-1 victory. The two wins come on the heels of a five-game losing skid for the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Toronto has now dropped eight of its last nine to fall – including seven of eight on the road – into last place in the A.L. East.
Prior to Boston winning the first two games of this series, the Blue Jays had won seven straight meetings. Also, the home team is 8-0 in the last eight head-to-head clashes after the visitor went 9-4 in the previous 13.
Wakefield has been idle since Friday, when he gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and five walks in six innings at Tampa Bay, getting a no-decision in Boston’s 5-4 loss. In two starts at Fenway this year, he’s 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA.
Wakefield pitched in Toronto on April 4, yielding three runs on six hits and three walks over six innings of a 6-3 loss. He’s now 15-10 with a 3.87 ERA in 46 career appearances (36 starts) versus the Blue Jays, but Boston has won four of his last five home starts against Toronto.
Since opening the season with a gem in a 5-2 win at Yankee Stadium on April 2, Burnett has been a mess, giving up 18 runs (16 earned) on 29 hits and 13 walks in four starts spanning 22 2/3 innings (7.15 ERA), though Toronto has managed to split the four contests. On the road this year, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA.
Since coming over to Toronto from Florida prior to the 2006 season, Burnett has made four starts against the Red Sox, going 3-0 with a sterling 2.51 ERA, with the Jays also winning his one no-decision. In his lone start at Fenway Park back in 2006, Burnett pitched a complete-game three-hitter in a 5-1 victory.
The Red Sox are on streaks of 41-15 on grass, 105-42 against losing teams, 38-16 at home, 21-5 on Thursdays, 15-7 in Wakefield starts overall and 36-17 when Wakefield starts at home. Conversely, the Blue Jays are stuck in slumps of 1-7 against right-handed starters, 0-5 on Thursdays and 0-4 versus A.L. East rivals.
The under is 9-1-2 in Wakefield’s last 12 starts against Toronto, 38-18-5 in his past 61 starts against the A.L. East and 16-7-1 in Burnett’s last 24 outings overall. Furthermore, the under is on lengthy streaks for both teams, including 5-0 for Boston overall, 6-0 for Boston against a right-handed starter, 6-1 for the Blue Jays overall, 6-1 for the Blue Jays on the road and 5-2-1 in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Detroit (62-25, 48-38-1 ATS) at (7) Philadelphia (42-45, 45-39-3 ATS)
The Pistons, who have already had this series extended longer than they desired, hope the momentum built in a Game 5 win at home will carry over to the Wachovia Center as they try to put the 76ers away in Game 6.
Detroit ripped Philadelphia 98-81 Tuesday night to easily cover as a 10-point home chalk, the first time in this series that a team won or covered in consecutive games. The Pistons are now 7-2 SU and ATS in their last nine games, while Philly is a lowly 2-7 SU and ATS in its last nine. However, Detroit’s last three losses have come against the 76ers, and likewise, the Sixers’ last three wins have come against the Pistons. Finally, the straight-up winner is on a 12-0 ATS tear in each of these team’s last 12 outings.
Detroit is 5-4 SU this season in this rivalry, while Philadelphia is 5-4 ATS. The winner has covered in each of the last eight head-to-head battles, and the favorite is on a 15-7-1 ATS spree in the last 23 clashes. In addition, the road team is 9-5 ATS in the last 14 matchups, and the Pistons are 5-2 ATS in their last seven trips to the Wachovia, including a 93-84 Game 4 victory laying 5½ points.
Despite posting two straight wins, the Pistons have still dropped six of their last nine playoff games and are 7-12-1 ATS in their last 20 postseason contests (3-8 ATS in their last 11) and 8-17-1 ATS in their past 26 as a playoff chalk (3-8 ATS in their last 11 as a playoff favorite). Also, going back to the regular season, Detroit is mired in a 5-11 ATS funk as a favorite. However, the team sports positive ATS trends of 5-1 on one day of rest, 6-2 against the Eastern Conference and 17-7-3 in first-round playoff games.
The 76ers are on a 5-14-1 ATS freefall as a playoff underdog and carry further negative ATS trends of 6-13-3 in first-round playoff contests, 2-5 against winning teams, 2-5 at home and 1-5 on one day of rest. On the positive side of the ledger, Philly is 11-5-1 ATS in its last 17 after a SU loss and 7-2 ATS in its last nine after a double-digit defeat.
The under for Detroit is on runs of 12-5 overall, 8-1 on the highway, 8-2 on one day of rest, 14-4 against the Eastern Conference, 10-3 after a SU win, 8-0 after a SU win of more than 10 points and 17-8 against the Atlantic Division. For Philly, the under is on a 4-0 streak at Wachovia and is 5-0 in its last five after a double-digit loss and 5-2 in its last seven first-round playoff games.
Finally, the under is 3-2 in this playoff series – Tuesday’s game barely cleared the 178½-point total – and is 6-3 in the last nine clashes between these two
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Washington Nationals vs Duke
Note: The Nats play host to the Pittsburgh in the nation's capitol when they take on Zach Duke and the Pirates tonight. Duke enters tonight's game in rotten current form with six walks and only four strikeouts in his last three starts. Furthermore, he's winless in his two career team starts as a visiting pitcher in this series with a 6.75 ERA. Look for a big letdown by the Pirates, off yesterday's 13-1 romp over the Mets in the Big Apple, here this evening.
Dave Cokin
Rays @ Orioles
Play: Orioles -120
It's not likely to continue for very long, but Baltimore southpaw Brian Burres is on a tear. So are the Orioles for that matter, as they continue to exceed expectations by a wide margin despite the lopsided Wednesday loss to Tampa Bay. The Rays are sending Matt Garza to the mound in his second start back from the DL. Garza has enjoyed success against the O's but has yet to find his stride this season and I'd say he's worth fading till he does. The Orioles and Burres are the choice.
James Patrick
Pistons vs. 76’ers
Our selection in Thursday NBA Play-off action is Pistons – 76’ers OVER the TOTAL. We look for Philadelphia to pick up the pace in game six and their young legs to get out and run, run and run. With their backs to the wall points will be a plenty in this game.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
Reason: The Jays are really struggling having dropped 8 of their last 9 games. Toronto is 1-7 in their last 8 road games. In their last 5 division games they are 0-5. Boston has won their last 2 games, both against the Jays. The Red Sox are 38-16 in their last 54 home games. Boston is 4-1 in Wakefield's last 5 home starts vs. Toronto. Although the Jays are getting solid pitching the offense is really struggling. Boston is not scoring a lot but just enough to beat Toronto and they'll do it again tonight. Play on the Red Sox -.
Big Al Mcmordie
Game: Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
Reason: At 7:05pm ET our member selection is on the Detroit Tigers over the New York Yankees. The Yankees had high hopes for two young righthanded starters going into this season: 21 year-old Phil Hughes and 23 year-old Ian Kennedy. Things could not be going worse so far for these two prospects. Kennedy has an ERA of 8.53 after five 2008 appearances (four starts). And these stats are the BETTER of the two youngsters. Both are in danger of losing their spots in the rotation if they can't turn things around. And as if the situation wasn't already tough enough for Kennedy, who gets the start tonight against a surging Tigers team, he is going to have to try and contain Detroit's offense while being without two of his own biggest offensive weapons in third baseman Alex Rodriguez and catcher Jorge Posada. They're both on the DL right now with A-Rod nursing a sore quadricep and Posada seeking multiple opinions on his bad throwing shoulder. For Posada, it's his first trip ever to the DL in his thirteen year Major League career, a pretty amazing feat for a catcher. The Tigers and lefty Nate Robertson go for a three game sweep of the Bronx Bombers tonight, and with the Yankees batting only .237 as a team against southpaws, it looks like they'll get it. Take Detroit.
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Philadelphia 76ers +5.5 over Detroit Pistons
Chicago Cubs (Zambrano) -140** over Milwaukee (Gallardo)
Cleveland (Byrd) -1.5 (+135**) over Seattle (Batista)
Pittsburgh (Duke) +120* over Washington (Perez)
Ross Benjamin
Game: San Diego (Wolf) @ Philadelphia (Eaton)
Pick: San Diego
In 11 starts in the month of May since 2005 Randy Wolf has posted a stellar 2.37 ERA. Wolf enters the game in good form off his last 3 starts posting a 1.10 WHIP and just short of a 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio. The Philadelphia starter Adam Eaton is in bad form off of his last 3 starts posting a 1.57 WHIP and a 6.14 ERA. Eaton is 1-5 in his last 6 team starts as a home favorite. The Phillies are 1-7 in the last 8 versus a left-handed starting pitcher.Play on the San Diego Padres.
Jim Feist.
SEA Mariners and CLE Indians.
Take Over
A pair of struggling pitchers take the mound in a hitter friendly park. Seattle's Miguel Batista has below average stuff, not good for a guy 38 years old. He looks it, with a 5.26 ERA giving up 50 base runners in just 25 innings. That's an average of two base runners per inning! Cleveland starter Paul Byrd is 37, with an ERA close to 5. Look for both offenses to smack the ball around against these two aging pitchers, play the Mariners/Indians over the total!
Stephen Nover
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Washington Nationals
PICK: Washington Nationals
Note: The Nats play host to the Pittsburgh in the nation's capitol when they take on Zach Duke and the Pirates tonight.
Duke enters tonight's game in rotten current form with six walks and only four strikeouts in his last three starts. Furthermore, he's winless in his two career team starts as a visiting pitcher in this series with a 6.75 ERA.
Look for a big letdown by the Pirates, off yesterday's 13-1 romp over the Mets in the Big Apple, here this evening.
We recommend a 1-unit play on the Nationals.
Cappersaccess
Pistons
Orioles
Phillies
Josh Dean
Texas +118
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
Play on: Texas (Ponson) over Kansas City
Hard to believe, but wild and high RHP Sidney Ponson is still in major league baseball. He might have done better with HGH, but he probably would have lost his source because of a chronic focusing issue. With all that said, the play is Texas here with the Royals listed as a chalk? Opposing RHP Greinke of Kansas City has been horrid in his last 56 team starts with a 18-38 record. The Royals are 1-7 as a road chalk and 6-13 in roadies versus right hand pitching. Finally,KC is 0-4 on Thursday’s.Take Texas and pray hard!
TONY WESTON
Were sticking with Association action and sticking with the Eastern Conference as the Pistons play at the Sixers. What Im absolutely loving about that game is the total set. Considering the way these teams have been playing and considering that total is set at around 178 points, I say go with the under in an easy winner.
Over their last five games, all consecutive since April 20, the teams have averaged to combine for 179 points per game. And in nine games against each other this season, theyve averaged 175.5 points per game.
In fact, in four games played in Philadelphia this season, the teams have only averaged 176.5 points per game.
Also consider that in their last nine meetings the under is 6-3.
This will be another low-scoring affair. Take the under on this one.
3* PISTONS-SIXERS UNDER
JAKE TIMLIN
Thursday selection is the Kansas City Royals.
Time once again to take the Royals. Yep if I am backing the Royals it must mean that Greinke with his 3-0 record and 1.25 ERA is heading to the mound once again and doing so against Texas team who has lost 9 of their last 12 games. Even tougher for the Rangers to overcome will be the fact that they will be backed by Ponson who is only making his second start of the season after allowing 7 hits and 5 runs in his first start last week. Well thanks to pitching look for the Royals this afternoon to take the series rubber game. All Kansas City!