GINA
(7) Dallas Mavericks (1-3) at (2) New Orleans Hornets (3-1)
The Mavericks are a strong home team, but away from home have played below par and to make matters worse, they are struggling on offense. Dallas is 1-4 both straight-up and against the spread in their last five games in New Orleans and the home team in this series has covered seven of the last eight meetings. Go with the Hornets at New Orleans Arena to bring to an end the Mavericks season.
New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans Hornets - 6
Utah Jazz + 2
MLB
Cincinnati Reds (12-15) at St. Louis Cardinals (16-11)
The Cincinnati Reds have won their last three games, including yesterday 4-3 win over the Cardinals in St. Louis, but Cincinnati has dropped seven of their last nine at Busch Stadium.
Cincinnati's right-hander Johnny Cueto is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in his three starts.
St. Louis' right-hander Joel Pineiro is 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts this season.
The Reds have won the last four battles versus the Cardinals, but if Joel Pineiro repeats his last performance, Cincinnati will have a tough time scoring in St. Louis. Pineiro allowed just one run, striking out six over seven innings in a 6-2 win against Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Go with the Cardinals at home with Joel Pineiro on the hill. The Reds have lost Cueto's last four starts.
St. Louis Cardinals - 105
Brandon Lang
20 Dime - Mets Run Line
10 Dime - Cubs
10 Dime - Hornets
Free Pick - A's
GOLD SHEETS LTS
SAN ANTONIO -5
DETROIT/PHILADELPHIA UNDER 178
SPORTS MONITOR
MATCHUP: Houston Astros (12-15) at Arizona Diamondbacks (19-7)
THE LINE:The Diamondbacks are -150 and the total is 10 runs
TRENDS: The Diamondbacks are 10-2 at home. The Astros are 6-10 on the road.Arizona has won 18 of their last 23 games.
GAME SUMMARY: Arizona improved its major-league best record on Monday with a 5-3 win over the Astros - its fifth victory over Houston overalland sixth straight over the Astros at Chase Field.
SPORTS MONITOR PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5 Astros 4
Bob Balfe
NBA Basketball
Dallas +7 over New Orleans
The Hornets have played great so far, but can they close out Dallas with ease? I don't think it will be as easy to do so tonight. This spread is in the danger zone of being a little bit too high. New Orleans will be rocking tonight, but I wouldn't be shocked to see this series extended.
Rockets -1.5 over Jazz
This is Tracy McGrady's single most important game of his life. This guy has never won an opening round playoff series and has a chance to be eliminated at home tonight. The Jazz won the first two games in Houston, but the Rockets were shorthanded. Tonight is a very important game in McGradys career. Look for the Rockets to extend this series.
Suns +5 over Spurs
Well the Suns made sure there was no sweep. Phoenix finally woke up offensively and I would not be shocked if they pushed this series another game or two. Wouldn't it be great for the ratings in Phoenix could get this to game seven? Look for the Suns to play great offense making this a very close game going down to the wire. If Phoenix gets the win here things will start to get interesting.
Major League Baseball
Tigers +110 over Yankees
Rogers/Hughes
Savannah Sports
3 Units LAA Under 9
WILL SYKES
UTAH vs HOUSTON
SYKE-O-ANALYSIS: I can't believe that the Vegas lines makers are still giving the Rockets the benefit of the doubt here. The Jazz know what to do to get this game over and done with, they've already proved it two games into the series in Houston. They just so happen to let GAME 3 slip away. After Lakers swept the Nuggets last night, the Jazz don't want to give the Lakers more rest than the Jazz to pick apart and watch game films of the Jazz's game plan. So look for the Jazz to put the Rockets away and get ready to play the Lakers. take the money line here for a little extra cash in this game that will be no contest as the Rockets still have no answer for Carlos Boozer and his double-double average this series. Don't get psyched here by the lines makers, making you think that the Rockets still have a shot at this game. Just stick with Sykes and you won't be psyched.
4* DIAMOND: UTAH JAZZ +110
Tom Freese
Chicago at Minnesota
Chicago starter Gavin Floyd has allowed 10 runs total in his 4 starts this year and he has been on the winning side in 3 of his 4 starts. The White Sox are 7-2 their last 9 road games and they are 7-3 their last 10 games vs. the Twins. Minnesota starter Boof Bonser is in terrible KW form with more walks than strikeouts in his last 3 starts. The Twins are 0-6 in the last 6 home starts made by Bonser and they are 2-7 their last 9 games when Bonser faces the AL Central Division.
PLAY ON CHICAGO
Winning Points
ATLANTA (Glavine) -120 over WASHINGTON (Redding)
Look for veteran lefty Tom Glavine to pick up his first victory in 2008 tonight at Washington. He'd pitched well in his three starts before missing a couple of turns (2.38 ERA) and he'll be up against an anemic offense that averages only 3.7 runs per game. Journeyman Tim Redding has not looked sharp in his recent outings (5.73 ERA last two) and the Braves are averaging 5.6 runs per game against righthanders so far. We'll take a quality pitcher at a cheap price against one of the worst teams in the league.
**PREFERRED
Phoenix over San Antonio* by 3
No NBA team has ever won a series after trailing it 3-0. (Boston Red Sox...Boston Red Sox...Boston Red Sox...) The Suns used to be a team whose best games were early in a series, then they would fizzle late. Bizarro World rules might be in effect. Somebody might have whispered in their ears and said, "If you lillies actually get tough and contest some shots, you might be rewarded." PHOENIX, 100-97.
Winners Inc. Guaranteed Selections
HOME RUN BASEBALL TRIPLE PLAY TOTALS WINNER
Cleveland w/Carmona -167
Fat Jack
DALLAS +6
PHOENIX+5
THE DALLAS GAME TO GO UNDER THE TOTAL OF 193
Lenny Del Genio's MLB Triple Play (90% This Year!)
Play on Atlanta
Three of Washington's nine wins have come against the Braves this season, which is hard to believe considering how much better on paper the Braves really are. If anyone is "due" for a win, it's veteran southpaw Tom Glavine, who checks in at 0-1 in 2008 despite a 2.38 ERA. He comes into this one with immediate revenge against the Nats' Tim Redding, always a situation worth circling. It's also worth noting that Atlanta is 18-5 if playing with a day off. Washington is averaging only 3.7 runs per game at home this season and has a batting average of .218 in their new park. Take Atlanta.
Play on Baltimore
The O's have traditionally dominated the Rays, including an 11-7 mark vs. them last year, but so far they are just 2-3 against their division rivals this season. That being said, all of Tampa Bay's seven straight wins came at home and now they're back on the road where they are a pedestrian 4-4 this season. Take note that Tampa Bay is a pathetic 3-23 on the road when coming off BB home games. They won't know much about tonight's opposing starter, Garrett Olsen, who boasted a 1.85 ERA and more K's than innings pitched at AAA Norfolk. The Rays are only averaging 3.7 runs/game vs. lefties to begin with this season and starter Jason Hammel has never beaten Baltimore in four starts and has a 7.18 ERA against them. Baltimore is our AL Underdog of the Week.
Play on Chicago White Sox
These teams split the first two season meetings in the Windy City, but the pitching matchup favors the visitor tonight. The Twins Boof Bonser is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA in his three home starts thus far and will be "backed" up by an offense that is producing less than three runs per game at home this season. Needless to say, the team misses Torii Hunter. White Sox are averaging 5.6 runs/game and starter Gavin Floyd has an ERA of 2.84 coming in. Twins pitching has allowed 33 runs over their last four games. Take Chicago White Sox.
Ben Burns
PF ANGELS
GOW TWINS
BLOW RANGERS
Main event - MAVS
Seabass
10 SD
10 KC
20 TOR
20 TB
20 SF Under
20 ATL
20 Det Over
Doc's NHL
4* Colorado
VEGAS RUNNER
CHC (+108) vs MIL 1* ML WAGER
PHI -1.5 (+105) vs SDP 2* SPLIT WAGER (ML/RL)
PHILLIES -1.5 (+105) (1*)
PHILLIES -200 (1*)
By splitting it up this way, we are laying -300 to win +205...about -150 avg..
TEX (-125) vs KAN 2* ML WAGER
NOH / DAL Under 196.0 3* NBA TOTAL of the MONTH
DETROIT -4 & SAN ANTONIO +1/2 2* TEASER PLAY of the DAY
DAL 7.0 vs NOH 2* WAGER
DET / PHI Under 179.0 1* TOTAL