PSYCHIC
NBA
5 units Cleveland +9.5
WISEGUY
MLB
1 unit Boston -102
DA STICK
MLB
10 units NY Yankees -130
Brian Marshall
Game: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Florida Marlins
Plays On: Florida Marlins -110
Game Analyses: The Florida Marlins should be able to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Tuesday's MLB game.
The Milwaukee Brewers will use starting pitcher Jeff Suppan. Jeff Suppan has struggled this season. This is shown by Jeff Suppan's 5.19 ERA on the season. Jeff Suppan also has a 5.71 ERA in his last 3 starts. It's safe to say that Jeff Suppan will have another bad start tonight.
The Florida Marlins will use starting pitcher Scott Olsen. Scott Olsen has been solid so far this season. The Florida Marlins are 5-1 when Scott Olsen starts this season which is mainly due to his 2.70 ERA. Scott Olsen also has a 2.33 ERA in his last 3 starts. It's clear that Scott Olsen will pitch another solid game today.
The Florida Marlins are 7-2 in their last 9 meetings against the Milwaukee Brewers (when playing in Florida), and should be able to get another win tonight!
Take the Florida Marlins
Josh Dean
Col +101
Dal/Det UNDER 5
Bost/Det UNDER 10
BIG AL's VERY STRONG TUESDAY 4* NBA PLAYOFF WINNER
BOSTON
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Boston Celtics minus the points over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thru Sunday's games, home teams are 28-18-1 ATS in this year's playoffs, and no series accounted for this success more than Boston's round 1 battle with Atlanta. The home team covered all seven games in that match-up, and Boston's victories at home were by 23, 19, 25 and 34 points. Now that's home court advantage! This year, home teams are an even more impressive 8-3 ATS in Game 1 of a series, including a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS in this quarterfinal round. Boston and Cleveland split their four regular season meetings, with each team going 2-0 on its home court. The Cavs also fall into negative 0-14, 12-30, 5-22, 5-28, and 3-26 ATS systems of mine which play against certain teams in the first Game of a Playoff series. Take Boston.
Ferringo
1.5-Unit Play. Take Baltimore (+120) over Oakland
The Orioles have been a scrappy underdog this year, particularly on the road. C.B. Bucknor is behind the dish, and his wide strike zone is going to eliminate one of Oakland's most potent weapons: the walk. Justin Duchscherer is a stopgap starter for the A's, and although he has a low ERA he's given up nine runs in his 15 innings of work. I think the O's are going to get one in this series, and I'm thinking it's this one.
1.5-Unit Play. Take Minnesota (+115) over Chicago White Sox
We have to continue to keep going against the White Sox until they show some signs of life. The Twins are playing great ball and over the last three years they are 22-19 against Chicago and 10-10 in Chicago. That means value on the puppy. Much like Baltimore, I don't believe that the Twins will get swept in this series. So I'm willing to take a few stabs on them as a puppy to give us a profit.
1-Unit Play. Take Arizona (-145) over Philadelphia
1-Unit Play. Take Arizona (-1.5, +145) over Philadelphia
The Phillies are a letdown team and I think they are going to have one today after beating up on the rookie yesterday. Philadelphia doesn't hit lefties very well (.231 on the year) and Randy Johnson has slowly been working back into form. The Unit will have the benefit of a wide zone tonight with Bill Miller behind the dish, and I think that will work to his advantage. I know he isn't the same guy, but the D-Backs are still 9-2 behind Johnson against the Phils. They dropped game one, but I look for them to scramble back for Game 2, just like they did against the Mets.
1-Unit Play. Take Atlanta (-145) over San Diego
This fits with the theme: play against the cold teams today (White Sox, Rockies, and Padres) because all three have been awful over the last two weeks and we have to ride it out. Conversely, the Braves are 20-6 in their last 26 home games and look like a completely different team there. They are also a stellar 21-6 following an off day and 14-3 at home against a right-handed starter. Chris Young has dumped eight of his nine road starts and the Braves are 12-4 against the Dads over the last two years.
1-Unit Play. Take St. Louis (-120) over Colorado
There are going to be a ton of runs scored in this one tonight, and I think that favors the Cardinals. They have the better starter and the better bullpen. I think Mark Redman is a joke, and I think he's going to get knocked out early by the Cardinals. St. Louis is 12-5 in its road games. Braden Looper's sinker should keep him out of a little trouble, and in the end we just have to keep going against the Rockies until they show some signs of life.
Today's totals:
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 10.0 Philadelphia at Arizona
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 10.0 Boston at Detroit
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 8.0 Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.5 (+105) Texas at Seattle
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 8.5 Baltimore at Oakland
MTi
SIDE PLAY OF THE DAY (5-Star)!!
5-Star LA Angels +120 over KANSAS CITY
We're getting a great price here because young Nick Adenhart got a case of the jitters in his major league debut and was roughed up pretty good by the A's.
But the Angels are a team that can score some runs of their own and Brian Bannister not is a pitcher than can shut down the Angels' bats. Bannister did start the season very well, but has struggled a bit recently. The Halos' bats should be able to give Adenhart some runs to work with.
Yesterday, Ervin Santana shutout the Royals 4-0 and LA is the best team in the league when their opponent has immediate revenge for a shutout. In fact, the Angels are 25-7 vs a team that they shutout yesterday, including a perfect 2-0 this season.
This is the first time in 15 straight games that the Angels have been a dog to the Royals. This is one of those game that you'll look back at a couple of years from now and wonder, "How in the heck were the Royals favored over Adenhart and the Angels?" The 21-year old Adenhart has been the Angel's best minor-league prospect for a couple of years now. Sometimes, the best thing for a young inexperienced pitcher is to start a game on the road, away from distractions. Tonight, he'll show them what he's got.
Grab the price. Angels 7-4
4-Star Philadelphia +130 over ARIZONA
Yesterday, the Phillies hammered the D-Backs 11-4. Philadelphia is a decent sized dog here, as many expect Arizona to respond favorably to the beating they took yesterday. However, the evidence points to another Phillies' win. Philadelphia is a solid 23-9 after a 7+ run win, including 8-2 their last 10. On the contrary, the Snakes are a poor 11-16 as a home favorite after a 5+ run loss.
In Eaton's last start, he allowed two first inning runs to the Padres and then settled down thereafter. His offense came through and they won the game 3-2. The Phillies are a great investment in this spot. Not only are they a fantastic 31-17 as a DOG when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start, they are 36-22 when they won by one run in their starter's last start.
Johnson is not the pitcher he used to be and we are getting great line value. The Phillies are the team on which to be here.
MTi's FORECAST: Philadelphia 7 ARIZONA 4
4-Star Boston at Detroit UNDER 10
The Red Sox are off two wins in which they never trailed and their offense tend to get a big stagnant in this situation. Boston is 3-15-1 OU on the road when they are off two wins in which they never trailed.
Boston has lost Tim Wakefield's last two starts -- 5-4 in extra innings and 3-0. This is a strong UNDER SITUATION, as the Sox are 5-17-2 OU as a dog when they lost the last two games their starter started. In addition, the Red Sox are 2-17-1 OU when Tim Wakefield starts on the road and the Sox have won their last two games and 0-8 OU when Tim Wakefield starts and their line is within 20 cents of pickem vs a team that has lost at least their last two games.
In Robertson's last start, the Tigers beat the Yankees 8-4, with Nate pitching 5 and 2/3 and getting the win - his first of the season. Robertson is MUCH stronger off a win than off a loss. In fact, the Tigers are 6-21-1 OU with Nate Robertson when they won the last time he started. We're getting great line value here. Take the UNDER.
MTi's FORECAST: Boston 4 DETROIT 3
Keith Martin Sports
Hammer Play Chicago Cubs
Boston Red Sox +103
LA Angels +120
Chuck Franklin
3* SEATTLE MARINERS -140
The Seattle bats came to life last night against the weak Texas pitching. That trend will continue throughout this four-game series. Tonight it will be Miguel Batista versus Sidney Ponson. The Mariners have the better part of that match-up. Ponson looked pretty good in his last start, his first win in a year, beating the Royals on Thursday. He is only 2-4 lifetime with a 4.84 ERA against Seattle. Batista has struggled at home this season, with a 9.00 ERA, but he has a winning record in 12 appearances against the Rangers. I'm on the home team. Texas has lost six of the last seven versus the Mariners and they are 3-13 the last 16 played in Seattle. They have won only eight of the last 31 road games when listed as the underdog and only six of the last 22 games played on grass. The Mariners are on a 13-5 run at home versus a right-handed starter and they are 8-3 in Batistas last 11 starts at home.
Drew Gordon
2* BALTIMORE ORIOLES +130
By now its no secret that Oakland has struggled against southpaws, going 6-7 in games against them, batting just .234 in the process. Take yesterday's 2-1 win over the Orioles for example, they got shut down by lefty Garret Olson for 6 1/3 innings (allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 7 Ks), and got the winning run in the 10th against righty Jim Johnson. If the A's thought Olson was tough, they'll have their work cut out for them against another southpaw tonight in Brian Burres. He's 3-2 with a solid 2.87 ERA this season, but over his last 3 he's been downright nasty, going 2-1 with a miniscule 1.37 ERA! Although he took the loss in his last start, he's allowed just 3 runs over his last 19 2/3 innings, including pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the powerhouse Yankees lineup back on April 19th! Opposing Burres is the A's Justin Duchsherer, who's coming off a nice start against the LA Angels, allowing just 1 earned over 5 innings last Thursday. Although he has good numbers against the O's in the past, they came as a reliever, and his inability to go late into games may very well be his downfall here tonight. Baltimore is hardly an offensive juggernaut, but they are better against righties than the A's have been against lefties. Duchsherer got plenty of run support against the Angels in his last one, but that won't be the case here tonight. Bottom line, plenty of value behind the Orioles in this one, especially considering the A's struggles against lefties. Expect a close game here, but in the end, the Orioles pull out the win, grabbing the plus money in the process! Take Baltimore behind Burres over Oakland and Duchsherer in this MLB match up.
Michael Cannon
2* TORONTO BLUE JAYS -140
J. Burnett gets the nod for Toronto, and I’ve always been a fan of his stuff. The right-hander is 3-2 on the year with a 4.82 ERA in seven games. But he’s pitched much better than that over his last three starts, going 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA. The Blue Jays pitching staff has posted three shutouts during the team’s five-game winning streak, and Burnett is more than capable of tossing one himself. Burnett has a 6-2 mark with a 2.95 ERA in 13 career starts against . Take the Blue Jays as they grab the home win.
Tom Freese
LA DODGERS
Los Angeles starter Hirocki Kuroda has allowed 4 or less runs in 5 of his 6 starts this year. The Dodgers are red hot winning 9 of their last 10 games and they are 21-8 their last 20-9 games as home favorites. Mets starter Nelson Figueroa is off a phony win his last start where he allowed twice as many baserunners as innings pitched. The Mets are 4-11 their last 15 games vs. right handed starters.
Brandon Lang
15 Dime - Astros
5 Dime - Cavaliers and Cardinals
Free - Rangers
Root
Chairman- Tigers
Millionaire- Rockies
Billionaire- Yankees
Michael Cannon
15 Dime –
CUBS (With Zambrano as listed pitcher)
I had the Cubs yesterday as a bonus play for my paying clients and they failed me, but I’m sticking with them again tonight.
I know the Reds are sending their ace to the mound in Aaron Harang. But he hasn’t been getting any run support whatsoever this year. The right-hander is just 1-4 on the year despite a sterling 2.98 ERA.
It doesn’t figure to get any easier for the Reds hitters tonight against Carlos Zambrano.
The Cubs right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA in seven starts this year. He’s 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA over his last three starts.
Take the Cubs as they bounce back from last night’s loss and grab the win tonight behind Zambrano.
10 Dime –
CAVALIERS
Take the points with the Cavs tonight when they travel to take on the Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
There’s no doubt the Celtics have more star power with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Boston led the league with 66 wins during the regular season and looked like they were going to cruise to the NBA finals.
But the Atlanta Hawks battled them before losing in seven games and that has to give the Cavaliers hope heading into tonight’s matchup.
Boston isn’t as invincible as it first appeared to be.
The Celtics will have to deal with LeBron James, and the task of guarding him apparently will fall on the shoulders of Pierce.
If Pierce has to expend all of his energy on the defensive end, that will make him less effective on the offensive end, thus taking one of their prime scorers away.
Cleveland can then focus all of its attention on Allen and Garnett, which gives them a much better chance of staying within the number.
Take the points as Cleveland stays within the number in Game 1.
5 Dime –
RED SOX (With Wakefield and Robertson as listed pitchers)
Take the Red Sox for the road win tonight over Detroit.
I was on the wrong end last night of this matchup, but I’m not going to make that mistake again tonight.
Tim Wakefield starts for Boston and the knuckleballer has already beaten the Tigers once this season.
He’ll be opposed by Nate Robertson, who hasn’t been able to get on track yet this year. The left-hander is 1-3 with a 6.82 ERA in six starts. Robertson is just 2-4 with a 6.46 ERA in eight lifetime games against the Red Sox.
Boston is swinging the bats better now and I like them to grab the win again tonight.
Take Boston for the road win.
Ferrall
NBA PLAYOFF PICKS
CLEVELAND +9.5 from Boston--Cavs stay close because James averaged 32-7-10 against the Celts in three meetings this season with Boston. They split 4 games with the home team winning twice each in their buildings. I say the Celts win Game 1 but don't cover
CELTICS-CAVS SERIES WINNER
Boston got their wake up call against the Hawks. I think the Cavs have matchup problems against the Celtics. Boston gets by in 6 and makes the Eastern Conference Finals. Garnett, Pierce and Allen don't mess around in this series like they did in the Atlanta mess. Having to go 7 in that series didn't help them. It dragged them down a notch, but they'll beat Cleveland with scoring and defense. They have to be able to win road games, unlike the effort against the Hawks (0-3 road). Lebron's going to do his thing as always. Wally, Joe Smith and the big white hope in the middle won't be getting easy looks. Ben Wallace doesn't matter any more ! CELTS WIN