Alex Smart
Seattle Mariners -135
The Seattle Mariners snapped a 5 game losing streak last night with a 7 run out put on their way to a easy lopsided win in the first game of this series against the Texas Rangers . I expect Seattle to extend on the momentum of Mondays effort, in game 2, behind the arm of Miguel Batista ,who is off a brilliant 4 hit , 1 ER 7 inning performance in his last trip the hill vs the Indians. Final notes & Key Trends: The Rangers have lost 13 of their L/16 here in the Emerald City. Mariners are 5-0 in Batistas last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record like Texas. Play on Seattle
LT Profits
Cleveland Cavaliers +9.5
Let us preface our analysis of this game by saying that we expect the Boston Celtics to win this series vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers fairly easily. That said, we do expect the Cavaliers to stay inside this big number in Game 1.
Cleveland actually covered three of the four meetings with the Celtics this season with the home team winning outright on every occasion, including nice cover here in Boston in a narrow 92-87 loss the last time these teams met. As usual, LeBron James led the way with 26 points in that game, and he scored over 30 points in each of the first three games. Thus, the stiff Boston defense has had as much trouble covering him as the rest of the NBA, and he is certainly capable of single-handedly keeping the Cavs in this game.
Now granted, the Celtics blew away the upstart Atlanta Hawks in all four home games in the first round, winning those contests by an average of +25.3 points. However the Cavaliers represent a step up in class and Cleveland definitely has a huge post-season experience edge over Atlanta, so they should not be intimidated by playing in this building. Remember also that Cleveland won two games on the road in the Washington series, including the decisive Game 6.
Look for the Cavaliers to hang within single-digits to the very end here.
Pick: Cavaliers +9.5
Los Angeles Dodgers -125
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the hottest team in baseball, having won nine of their last 10 games after beating these New York Mets 5-1 here last night, and they also fall into our Bullpen System.
Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda has done well in his first season in the Major Leagues, posting a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and four Quality Starts in six starts while allowing more than three earned runs just once. He has also been stretched out to the points where he went a career high seven innings at Florida in his last outing, allowing only three runs and five hits. He should be doubly tough facing the Mets for the first time ever. If he is in need of relief however, he has the support of a Dodger bullpen that ranks sixth in the Majors with a collective 2.99 ERA.
Mets starter Nelson Figueroa has been mediocre in his fist year in the Big Leagues since 2004, posting a modest 4.08 ERA and a shaky 1.43 WHIP. He had been plagued by wildness, issuing 15 walks in 28.2 innings, and as a result he has failed to last six innings in his last two starts. Thus the Mets middle relief may be called on early tonight, which is almost always an adventure.
Finally, the offensive numbers also favor Los Angeles here, as they are batting a good .283 as a team while New York is struggling along with a .246 team batting average.
Pick: Dodgers -125
Matt Fargo
Philadelphia Phillies @ Arizona Diamondbacks
PICK: Philadelphia Phillies
REASON FOR PICK: I’m not going to stray from the Phillies despite what looks like another pitching mismatch on paper. They took the first game of this series rather easily last night and the momentum continues to build. Philadelphia has now won 11 of its last 15 games to move into first place in the National League East. The offense continues to be up and down (it was an up last night) but the pitching remains a constant positive. The Phillies have now won 10 of the last 14 meetings in Arizona.
The Diamondbacks are definitely on the wrong side of positive right now. Arizona has been missing opportunities on offense, which was the case again on Monday, and the pitching has been the real disappointment of late. Pitching has been the strength all season but the Diamondbacks have allowed 40 runs over the last six games and taking away two Brandon Webb starts and they have allowed 6.7 rpg over their last seven games. Even with Webb, the ERA from the starters is 4.72 in their home games.
When I said pitching mismatch earlier, Adam Eaton against Randy Johnson may look like that but that was the case five years ago. In 2008, it is nothing more than a big name starter being overpriced. Johnson has shown hardly anything to be priced as a rather hefty favorite. He has started four games this season and only one of those was a quality start. He is coming off a horrible performance against Houston where he allowed six runs on nine hits in just four innings of work.
The Phillies counter with Adam Eaton and from the start, I was hesitant because he kept putting together decent starts. And he continues to do that. In six starts, he has allowed three runs or fewer in five of those and he continues to simply keep Philadelphia in the game. Despite six starts, his record sits at 0-0 but the Phillies have won four of those six including four straight. Eaton is coming off his best outing of the season and I see that continuing. In 13 career starts against Arizona, he has a solid 3.80 ERA.
Play Philadelphia Phillies 1.5 Units
EZWINNERS
MLB
3 STAR: (901) SAN FRANCISCO (+$103) over Pittsburgh
(Listing Sanchez only)
(Risking $300 to win $303)
3 STAR: (903) SAN DIEGO (+$121) over Atlanta
(Listing Young only)
(Risking $300 to win $363)
3 STAR: (924) CHICAGO (-$126) over Minnesota
(Listing Floyd and Blackburn)
(Risking $378 to win $300)
2 STAR: (905) MILWUKEE (-$104) over Florida
(Listing Suppan and Olsen)
(Risking $208 to win $200)
2 STAR: (909) WASHINGTON (+$108) over Houston
(Listing Hill only)
(Risking $200 to win $216)
2 STAR: (929) TEXAS (+$131) over Seattle
(Listing Ponson and Batista)
(Risking $200 to win $262)
Passing on the NBA tonight
Ben Burns
Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers
PICK: Detroit Tigers
REASON FOR PICK: The general betting public will be licking their lips at a chance to play the defending champions as a slight underdog. After all, the Red Sox are rolling and Wakefield already defeated Robertson less than a month ago. While it's true that Robertson has struggled, he's averaged greater than six innings per start here at Detroit and his 1.255 home WHIP remains respectable. At the very least, it's certainly a lot better than Wakefield's poor 1.722 WHIP on the road. Note that the Red Sox are just 1-5 in Wakefield's last six road starts, including a 1-2 mark this season. Additionally, note that Wakefield had five walks in the previous outing vs. the Tigers and that he has 13 walks (just 9 Ks) in his 18 road innings. Robertson, on the other hand, has 13 Ks and just four walks in his 18 home innings. Robertson will be supported by a Detroit bullpen which has a stellar 2.96 ERA (1.274 WHIP) at home. Wakefield, on the other hand, will be backed by a Boston bullpen which has an ugly 5.85 ERA on the road. Despite yesterday's loss, the Tigers are still 3-1 their last four home games against the Red Sox. They began last May by winning nine of their first 11 home games and I look for them get back on track this evening.
SportsKingz
MLB
BOSTON +110
CHI CUBS -125
ST. LOUIS -115
L.A. DODGERS -130
NBA
CLEVELAND +9.5
WINNERS EDGE
NBA
Cleveland Cavs + 9.5 , 2 units
MLB
Cubs / Reds under 8.5 -115 , 2 units
Cleveland Indians +115 , 1 unit
Strike Point
Texas/Seattle Over 9.5
Suprisingly Sidney Ponson has not completely melted down yet on the mound since his return to the majors. Well, this is his third chance to do just that, and I think it's about time that happen. And as far as home cooking goes, the Mariners needed to get back to Safeco and produce some offense, just as they did in Monday's opener. Neither Ponson or Miguel Batista will get beyond the sixth, and they'll combine to assist the offenses in this one. Play the over, as these two AL West clubs combine for double digits in Seattle
Vegas Insider Capping
Seattle Mariners -141
Platinum Sports Investing Club
Cleveland Indians +116
Chad Jordan
Kansas City Royals +115
Jennifer Barry
New York Mets +120
Donald Tran
Boston Red Sox +105
Bobby Bo
Cardinals/Rockies Over 11
The Parlay King
Cavs +550
JB's Computer Picks
Toronto Blue Jays - 155
Chicago Cubs - 120
Atlanta Braves - 145
Minnesota Twins + 115
St. Louis Cardinals -120
Mr. A's
Los Angeles Angels (21-13) at Kansas City Royals (14-17)
The Angels have won three straight and 15 of their last 22 games. They have beaten the Royals in 16 of the last 20 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles will send rookie Nick Adenhart to the hill. The right-hander hopefully will do better then his first major league start last Thursday. He allowed three hits, walked five and five runs over two-plus innings. Kansas City will counter with Brian Bannister. The right-hander has lost three straight. In his last start on Wednesday, Bannister allowed three homers and seven runs in the first two innings in Texas. He's never faced the Angels.
Go with the Angels to continue their winning ways. Kansas City is just 3-8 in their last 11 games at home and has been lifeless at the plate in their last four contests.
Los Angeles Angels + 120
NBA
Boston Celtics - 9½
GINA
NBA
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers (49-39) at (1) Boston Celtics (70-19)
The Celtics and Cavaliers split their four games this season, with both winning at home. Boston has won 12 of the last 19 games against the Cavaliers at home.
Boston has been a power house at TD Banknorth Garden, but the Cavaliers are 7-3-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings and 4-1-2 ATS in the last 7 in Boston. Go with "King James" and his crew to cover the spread. Cleveland and LeBron James have given the Celtics tough battles in the Garden.The underdog in this series is 6-0-1 ATS in the last 7 games.
Cleveland Cavaliers + 9½
MLB
New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have won nine of their last 10 games and seven of its last eight at home. Dodgers' right-hander Hiroki Kuroda is 0-1 with a 4.74 ERA in his last three starts, but pitched sound in his last start versus Florida last Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits. Mets right-hander Nelson Figueroa is 0-1 with a 6.43 in three outings, including one start on the road. Go with the hot bats of the Los Angeles Dodgers to grab their fifth straight win at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers - 130
VEGAS EXPERTS TIP OF THE DAY
Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners
Might as well go ahead and back the Mariners for a second straight night considering how strong they continue to be in the home favorite role. Seattle is now 22-6 at Safeco Field when priced between -125 and -150. Starter Miguel Bautista follows that trend checking in with a personal TSR of 40-17 in the home favorite role. We repeat from yesterday: Texas is a dreadful 9-30 vs. sub.-500 teams on the road.
Play on: Seattle
Winners Inc. Guaranteed Selections
TOP RATED HOME RUN BASEBALL WINNER
Atlanta w/Jurrjens -145
ANOTHER HUGE NBA SLAM DUNK WINNER
Boston -9.5 8:05 EST
MONEY LOCK OF THE DAY
JUNIOR'S PICK
Cubs -105
DIGGER'S PICK
PADRES/BRAVES - UNDER 9