Strike Point
Detroit -140 over Minnesota
A big time comeback for the Tigers last night, so momentum should be on their side enough to where I can't see them slipping back into an offensive funk. Nate Robertson isn't exactly the ace of the staff, but neither is Scott Baker. So that suggest another game full of runs, and I'll back Detroit with the line-up they bring to the plate.
Winners Edge
NBA
2* Nets, 2* Pistons
MLB
4*Game of the Week Twins, 2* Angels, 1* Diamondbacks
Winning Points Online
CINCINNATI (Harang) -105 over CHICAGO CUBS (Dempster)
Veteran hurler Ryan Dempster has notched a pair of impressive starts to open the 2008 season, but he's no match for Aaron Harang (2.14 ERA in three outings),the most profitable pitcher in baseball last year. The Reds turned a nice profit on the road vs. righthanders in night games last year (+$570) while Chicago was floundering here at Wrigley Field (-$950). They're doing the same thing so far in '08 (-$165) and the low price on the Cincinnati ace is too attractive to pass up.
**PREFERRED
Detroit* over Minnesota by 17
The T'Wolves attempt to win a third straight road game,against an opponent looking ahead to the playoffs whose #2 East seed is locked as solidly as it can be. Detroit has "nothing" to play for.
That's all the tease, as is Minnesota's almost-win on April 1 vs. the Pistons, a 94-90 defeat on their home floor that they led by 12 points after one quarter and by 7 points after three quarters. The Pistons hadn't seen Minnesota in more than a year (Who are these guys?), spotted them points in a half-effort, and still won. They can now say,"Is that all you got?," and give a three-quarter effort to cruise in the regular-season home finale before tomorrow night's double-mail-in game at Cleveland. DETROIT, 100-83.
Ben Burns
Game: San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames
Prediction: San Jose Sharks
Reason: After blowing a 3-0 lead in Game 3 to fall behing 2-1 in the series, the Sharks desperately need a victory this evening. The Sharks, who won a league-high 27 games on the road, are 47-28 the last 75 times they were coming off a game in which they allowed four or more goals. While I respect Calgary, I still believe that the Sharks are among the top teams in the league and I expect them to bounce back and even things up.
JEFF BENTON
For Tuesday, well play the Rays as a small home dog against the Yankees.
Granted, were not getting any line value at all with Tampa; in fact, when Rays starter Edwin Jackson matched up against Andy Pettitte two weeks ago in the Bronx, the Rays were a $2 underdog. Still, I like Tampa here because it looks like Jackson has finally put it all together. Jackson was a phenom in the Dodgers organization who came up in 2003 as a 20-year-old and looked like the second coming of Roger Clemens in his first career start. But things fizzled from there for the hard-throwing right-hander, as his ERA from 2004-07 ranged from 5.45 to 7.30, and last year he went 5-15 with a 5.76 ERA in 31 starts.
But in his first two outings of 08, it appears like the light bulb has gone on for Jackson, as hes 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA, giving up a total of one run on seven hits and six walks in 14 innings, blanking the Mariners 7-0 on Wednesday and besting Pettitte and the Yankees 6-3 in New York on April 5. In that contest, Pettitte who goes for New York tonight gave up five runs (three earned) in five innings. Yes, the veteran lefty bounced back at Kansas City last week. However, since returning to New York last year, hes really struggled against Tampa, giving up 20 runs (16 earned) in five starts spanning just 27 innings (5.33 ERA), with the Yanks going just 2-3 in those five starts.
Tampa Bay (6-7) is playing solid baseball, and the Rays are handling left-handed pitching this year (.273 team average vs. southpaws). Throw in the fact the Yanks are down a big arm in the bullpen (Joba Chamberlain is on the bereavement list), and Ill back Jackson and the Rays here.
(Based on a 1* to 10* rating system)
3* TAMPA BAY RAYS
JAKE TIMLIN
Tuesday selection is the Oakland Athletics.
Afternoon baseball take the A?s as they continue to shine. You see for Oakland everything is going great as the Athletics are off to a fast start of 9-5 all thanks to winning 6 of 7 on the road, including last nights 2-1 victory over Chicago. The same Chicago team that the Athletics have owned over the years as Oakland has won the last 5 meetings dating back to last year and 42 of the last 59 played over the years. Well thanks to pitching as Eveland 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA will have an edge on the mound as the lefty faces Danks who is off to a 0-1 start with an ERA of 8.00. Flat out for what ever reason the A?s own the White Sox and will once again today for a plus money return.
GamblersWorld TIP OF THE DAY
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers Current Line: -135
Over/Under: 5.5 Reason: The Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers will both be trying to pick up a playoff win on Tuesday when they battle at Wachovia Center. Oddsmakers currently have the Flyers listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Capitals, while the game's total is sitting at 5½. The Flyers defeated Washington 2-0 as a +130 underdog in Game 2 of their opening round playoff series on Sunday. The two goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5). Martin Biron stopped all 24 shots he faced to earn the shutout for Philadelphia, while R.J. Umberger and Jeff Carter scored in the win. Cristobal Huet made 39 saves for Washington in a losing effort, while Alexander Ovechkin had five shots on net without a goal. Team records: Washington: 43-31-8 Philadelphia: 42-29-11 Washington most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Calgary are 4-6 After playing Philadelphia are 3-7 After a loss are 6-4 Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6 After playing Washington are 3-7 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 8 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Washington
Info Plays
3* on Detroit Pistons -7
Detroit may be resting their starters for most of the game, but the Pistons have found that they have one of the deepest benches in the league. When their starters go out for good, look for these role players to only increase the lead they build against Minnesota tonight. Plus, this is the Pistons’ last regular season home game so they will want to put on a show for their fans as well. Detroit is 14-4 ATS after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite this season. Detroit is 7-0 ATS after allowing 85 points or less 2 straight games this season. The Pistons have known they will be the No. 2 seed in the East for quite some time now, but that hasn’t stopped them from trying to finish the season strong. It’s important to build some momentum and confidence heading into the playoffs.Bet Detroit at home.
PRICELESS PICKS
1 Unit on Cleveland Indians -101 (listing Wakefield and Byrd)
I like the Tribe to bounce back against the Sox tonight. The Red Sox are 0-4 in Wakefield's last 4 road starts and also 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game. The Indians are 7-0 in their last 7 Tuesday games, 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home underdog, 18-6 in their last 24 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game, and 22-8 in their last 30 home games. The Indians are 6-0 in Byrd's last 6 Tuesday starts, 4-0 in Byrd's last 4 starts with 5 days of rest, and 21-8 in Byrd's last 29 home starts. Take the Tribe here.
cash n profit Detroit Tigers +121
GAMETIMEDECISION San Diego Padres -121
seeyouinthewinnerscircle Arizona D-backs -131
KingTSports Tampa Bay Rays +111
Toutmaster New York Yankees -116
Black Widow Sports
1* on San Diego Padres -123
(List Jimenez and Wolf)
Randy Wolf seems to have fully recovered from injury last season. Wolf is off to a nice start by allowing just 9 hits and 3 earned runs in his first 12 innings of the year. His 2.25 ERA to this point matches up very well against Ubaldo Jimenez of Colorado tonight. Jimenez had a rough spring and it has carried over into the regular season. Jimenez has yielded 13 hits and a ridiculous 9 walks in only 11 innings pitched thus far. His command issues will work right into the Padres’ hands with many patient hitters at the plate. San Diego is 22-8 (+13.4 Units) against the money line after scoring 3 runs or less 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. The Padres will break out of their slump tonight when facing Jimenez. Take San Diego here.
TRACE ADAMS
Boston Red Sox
Chad Jordan
LA Clippers at New Orleans Over 197.5 Points
Jennifer Barry
Toronto Blue Jays -130
Donald Tran
Minnesota at Detroit Over 9
Paul Leiner
5* Diamondbacks -125
Frank Patron
Arizona Diamondbacks -125
Fast Eddie Sports
Nationals +155
Guaranteed Sports Pick
Giants +125
COMPUTER SPORTS
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS+3
DOMONIC BRANDO
ARIZONA -125
ST LOUIS -120
NY METS -155
HAWKEYE
Minnesota +7
EASY MONEY SPORTS
MILWAUKEE +115
SCOUT
Texas -120
Larry Ness
Atlanta Braves @ Florida Marlins
PICK: Atlanta Braves
REASON FOR PICK: The Braves may just have to rely on Jair Jurrjens (acquired from Detroit in the Renteria trade) more than they had planned. Hampton is already on the DL, Glavine left Sunday's start in the first inning because of a strained hamstring and there are also reports that Smoltz is experiencing shoulder soreness. Other than that, things are just fine with the Atlanta starting rotation. Florida's starters have been terrible so far in '08, as the team owns an NL-worst 5.47 ERA, despite the fact the team's bullpen has a 3.38 ERA, while going 3-0 (you do the math on that one!). Lefty Scott Olsen had a solid 2006 season (12-10, 4.04 ERA) but fell to 10-15, 5.81 ERA last season, along with adding in some off-the-field concerns. He has not been sharp in either outing this year (4.61 ERA with a 7-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio), although the Marlins have won both of his outings. Jurrjens had a good '08 debut for Atlanta (5.1 IP / 2 ERs in a 10-2 win) and then lost 4-3 in Coors to the Rockies, allowing nine hits and four ERs in seven innings (not that bad, really). Jurrjens was 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA in seven starts for the Tigers last year but the team did go 6-1 in those starts. I don't much trust Olsen these days and in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Braves, he's 1-4 with an 8.54 ERA. Take the Braves.
Michael Cannon
10 Dime –
REDS (With Harang as listed pitcher)
Take the Reds for the road win tonight over the Cubs.
Aaron Harang gets the nod for the Reds and he’s already looking like he’s in midseason form. The right-hander has gone an inning deeper in each start this year, from six in his first start, to seven and then eight in his last start, a 4-1 victory at Milwaukee.
Harang also has a history of pitching well at Wrigley, where he’s 4-0 with a 4.65 ERA in eight career starts.
The Cubs will counter with Ryan Dempster and he’s looked good in his first two starts since surrendering his role as the closer, but you have to wonder how long that will last.
I’ll take my chances with the Reds lineup and their best pitcher against Dempster.
Take the Reds for the road win.
5 Dime –
BRAVES (With Jurrjens and Olsen as listed pitchers)
Take the Braves for the road win tonight over the Marlins.
Jair Jurrjens will get the start for Atlanta and I like what I see from the 22-year-old. If his command is on he should be able to keep the Marlins lineup under wraps.
Florida was outscored 10-1 in losing the last two games of their weekend series with Houston.
Scott Olsen will start for the Marlins and he’s struggled big time against the Braves in his career. The left-hander is 1-4 with an 8.54 ERA in eight games against Atlanta.
Take Atlanta as they grab the road win.
ATS Basketball Lock Club
3 units Pistons
ATS Hockey Lock Club
5 units Sharks
3 units Flyers