TUESDAY SERVICE PLAYS

Vernon Croy

Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Minnesota Twins

1 Unit, Take Minnesota ML, This pick falls into one of my MLB systems and this is the Royals first game back after a long 11 game road trip. The Royals just played in Toronto yesterday and this will be their 14th straight game played with out a day off. The Royals have lost 8 straight games and Brian Bannister (4-6, 4.94 ERA) has struggled over his last 3 starts with an ERA of 5.95. The Twins are hitting .290 as a team over their last 7 games while averaging 6.3 rpg and they are 5-1 this season when playing with a day off. The Royals are averaging just 3.3 rpg at home this season and Nick Blackburn (4-3, 3.55 ERA) has pitched over his last 3 starts with an ERA of just 3.32 so I look for him to dominate this Royals line-up that produced just 4 runs in their 4 game series against the Blue Jays. Grab the value here tonight with the Twins as my MLB Free Play for Tuesday night and make sure you get on my 16-7 MLB run.

SPORTS ADVISORS

NBA PLAYOFFS

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) L.A. Lakers (10-3, 8-4-1 ATS) at (3) San Antonio (9-6, 8-6-1 ATS)

After an impressive Game 3 victory on Sunday night, the defending champion Spurs now look to even this best-of-seven Western Conference finals series when they host the Lakers at the AT&T Center.

Following two sub-par efforts in Games 1 and 2 in Los Angeles, the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili came to life on Sunday, scoring a team-high 30 points on 9 of 15 shooting to lead San Antonio to a 103-84 victory, easily cashing as a 5½-point home favorite. Tim Duncan added 22 points and a game-high 21 rebounds, while Tony Parker tallied 20 points for the Spurs, who shot 51.4 percent from the field, including a blistering 55.6 percent from three-point land (10-for-18).

Los Angeles, which averaged 95 points on 48 percent shooting in two home wins to begin this series, were limited to 42.7 percent shooting in Game 3, including missing 17 of 23 attempts from long range. Kobe Bryant had 30 points to pace the Lakers, who finished with their lowest point output of the postseason.

The Lakers still lead the season series 4-3, with the home team winning all seven contests, but the Spurs have the advantage at the betting window, going 5-2 ATS. Los Angeles has eliminated San Antonio seven times in the last 10 postseason head-to-head matchups, going 3-0 in conference finals. Also, L.A. coach Phil Jackson has never lost a seven-game postseason series when winning Game 1, going 40-0.

The Lakers are now 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS on the highway in the postseason. Also, despite Sunday’s defeat, they sport positive pointspread streaks of 10-4-1 overall, 6-2-1 when playing on one day of rest, 35-17-2 on the road, 22-9-2 as a ‘dog, 8-2-1 as an underdog, 12-3-2 as a road ‘dog and 10-3 on Tuesdays. However, the Lakers are still just 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games against teams from the Southwest Division, 1-5 ATS in their last four conference finals contests and 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a SU loss.

With the Game 3 win, the Spurs improved to 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight home games (5-1-1 in the postseason) and 6-2-1 ATS at home against teams with a winning road mark. Gregg Popovich’s squad is also on pointspread hot streaks of 5-0-1 as a favorite (all at home), 17-4-2 as a playoff favorite, 5-1-2 on Tuesdays and 14-4 in conference finals action (including 7-2 in the last nine). On the downside, the Spurs are only 4-6-1 ATS in their last 11 against Pacific Division foes.

The first three games in this series have stayed under the total, making the under 7-2 in the last nine series meetings between these squads. Also, the under is 9-1 in the last 10 head-to-head clashes at the AT&T Center. Finally, for San Antonio, the under is on runs of 7-0 overall, 3-0 at home, 4-1 in the conference finals, 5-0 against the Pacific Division and 5-0-1 after a SU win, while the under is 5-1 in the Lakers’ last six games as an underdog (all on the road).

ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO and UNDER

NATIONAL LEAGUE

L.A. Dodgers (26-24) at Chicago Cubs (30-21)

The Cubs try to extend their incredible run of success at Wrigley Field when they host the Dodgers in the middle game of this three-game series. Two rookies are scheduled to take the ball in this nationally televised battle, with Chicago’s Sean Gallagher (1-1, 5.68 ERA) set to oppose Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 3.48).

Chicago road home runs by Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez to a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles Monday afternoon, snapping a two-game slide and once again avoiding its first three-game losing streak of the season. Also, since opening 2008 with a pair of home losses to the Brewers, the Cubs are 20-6 at Wrigley Field. They’re also 15-3 in their last 18 home games against right-handed starters and 7-1 in their last eight against the N.L. West.

The Dodgers, who left 12 runners on base on Monday, have dropped three of their last four as their offense has gone cold, producing just six runs during the four-game stretch. Los Angeles has followed up a five-game road winning streak by losing four of its last seven as a visitor, and it is 3-9 in its last 12 against winning teams.

Last year, the Dodgers went 5-2 against the Cubs, and they’re still 13-7 in their last 20 games at Wrigley Field.

Kuroda has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his first 10 major-league starts, and he’s strung together three straight quality outings (2.57 ERA), but he only has one win to show for it, and that was Wednesday’s 5-2 home win over the Reds. In that one, Kuroda pitched a career-best eight innings, giving up two runs on five hits.

Gallagher is coming off his first loss, a 5-3 setback at Houston on Wednesday. The right-hander gave up all five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Kuroda is just 3-1 in five road starts despite a respectable 3.09 ERA. Meanwhile, Gallagher is 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA in two starts at Wrigley, both Cubs wins.

The under is 4-0 in Kuroda’s last four road outings, but both of Gallagher’s starts at Wrigley have topped the total.

The Dodgers have stayed under the total in six straight games, and the under is 5-2-1 in Chicago’s last eight, 6-0-1 in its last six against right-handed starters and 20-8-2 in its lat 30 games on Tuesday.

ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO and UNDER

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Toronto (28-25) at Oakland (28-25)

The streaking Blue Jays kick off a nine-game road trip in Oakland, with A.J. Burnett (5-4, 4.69) set to toe the rubber opposite A’s lefty Dave Smith (2-4, 3.18).

The Blue Jays completed a four-game home sweep of the Royals with Monday’s 7-2 rout. Toronto has won five in a row, outscoring the opposition 27-7, and the Blue Jays’ pitching staff has been outstanding over the last 2½ weeks, giving up three runs or fewer in 11 of the last 15 games. During this stretch, the Jays are 5-2 on the road.

The A’s were idle Monday after sweeping a three-game weekend series from the defending champion Red Sox at home. Oakland has followed up a 2-9 slump by winning four in a row, and like Toronto, the A’s have been getting the job done on the mound, allowing three runs or fewer in five straight games and four runs or less in 10 of their last 12. Finally, Oakland is on a 13-5 roll at McAfee Coliseum.

The A’s swept a three-game series from the Blue Jays in Canada, and they’ve won four in a row and seven of nine in this rivalry dating to last year. Also, the road team is 11-2 in the last 13 head-to-head meetings.

Burnett is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in his last three starts, including a 4-3 victory over the Angels on Thursday in which he yielded all three runs on six hits in six innings. The right-hander has worked at least six innings in six straight starts, with five of those being quality outings (three earned runs or less allowed).

Burnett is 3-2 with a 3.10 ERA in four road starts, with the Jays also winning his one no-decision. Also, the veteran hurler was 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA in his first three starts against the A’s, but on April 8 in Canada, he got rocked for six runs on 10 hits (both season highs), getting a no-decision in a 9-8 Toronto loss.

Smith is 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA in his last three trips to the mound, including a 3-2 home loss to the Rays a week ago tonight, as he yielded just two runs on five hits in seven innings. The A’s went 4-0 in Smith’s first four starts, but they’re 1-4 in his last five.

The left-hander has been solid at home, going 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four starts, with the A’s winning both of his no-decisions. Also, in his first career start versus the Blue Jays back on April 9, he gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits and five walks, getting a no-decision in Oakland’s 6-3 road win.

The under is 20-8-1 in Burnett’s last 29 starts overall (3-0 last three), 13-3-1 in his last 17 when going on four days’ rest and 5-1 in his last six on the road. The under is also 5-0 in Smith’s last five starts overall.

The over is 6-2-1 in the last nine series clashes, including 3-0-1 in Oakland. However, for Toronto, the under is on runs of 33-16-3 overall this season (5-2 last seven), 41-19-3 on the road (18-8-1 this year) and 4-0 against the A.L. West. Also, the under is 4-0 in Oakland’s last four on Tuesdays. However, the over is 5-2 in the A’s last seven at home and 4-1 in their past five against a right-handed starter.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

Michael Cannon

New York Yankees at BALTIMORE +105

Take the Orioles as the small home dog tonight over the Yankees.

Baltimore will start soft-tossing Brian Burres and the left-hander has had good success for the most part against the Yankees in his career.

Burres shut down the Yankees last Thursday in Baltimore’s 2-1 loss in New York. The left-hander gave up just one run and six hits in 7 2-3 innings before leaving without a decision. Only once in five starts have the Yankees hit Burres hard, getting six runs and nine hits in a 10-4 win last September. In Burres’ other four starts against New York, he’s given up just four runs in 27 innings.

That success figures to continue tonight, considering Burres has allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts.

The Yankees will counter with Ian Kennedy, who is 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA on the season. The right-hander had a quality start against Baltimore in last Thursday’s 2-1 win, but prior to that he was 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA in his previous four starts.

Take the Orioles as they grab the home win.

3* BALTIMORE

Karl Garrett

White Sox at CLEVELAND -145

The G-Man is playing the White Sox-Indians game UNDER the posted total tonight at Cleveland.

Last night these teams had to play 12 innings and barely eclipsed the total!

That makes it UNDERS in 4 of 5 for the White Sox, and 7 of their last 10, while the Indians have been UNDER in 2 of their last 3, and 7 of their last 11.

Pitchers Mark Buehrle, and Aaron Laffey have been throwing the ball well of late.

Buehrle comes into this one having allowed just 1 run in his last 14 innings of work. Included is a nice 7 inning, 1 run start last time out against the Tribe.

Laffey's last 3 starts have seen just 2 runs score in his last 21 innings of work, and for the season Laffey sports a 1.60 ERA.

Until the bats show some signs of life, the G-Man will stay UNDER the total.

4* UNDER

Marc Lawrence

Play On: Baltimore w/Burres vs Kennedy

Note: The Pinstripes send Ian Kennedy up against Brian Burres and the Orioles in Game Two of this series in Baltimore this is a right-back revenge rematch from last Thursday when Kennedy edged Burres, 2-1 at Yankees Stadium. With Kennedy owing a 7.27 ERA on the road this season and Burres sporting a 2.46 at home this season, look for Kennedy to drop to 0-5 in his last five road starts here tonight.

Brad Diamond Sports

Our thinking has Giants ace RHP Lincecum (6-1, 2.17) last outing was an anomaly. Therefore, it is fully expected the talented hurler will return to form against the "hated" Snakes of Arizona. Hurler Danny Haren (5-3, 3.39) of Arizona is super, but his teammates have produced just 4 runs in his 3 losses on the season. That gives San Francisco a bettor's chance to win this important set-up battle in the desert. With righty Lincecum 4-0 as an underdog in this price range, we're backing "value" on Tuesday night.

Play on: San Francisco over Arizona

Scott Spreitzer

Game: Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners
Prediction: Boston Red Sox

Every once in a while, there's value with big favorites. That was the case in our Saturday GOM win with the Yankees and again tonight with the Red Sox. The Mariners have now dropped seven in a row and send the wrong pitcher to the rubber on Tuesday. Batista has not only struggled in his career against the Bosox, but he's also been an absolute nightmare this season in home outings. It doesn't help Seattle's chances that they're only scoring 3.4 runs per game in home night outings against righties. Look for "Dice-K" to continue to roll with a big win over the hapless Mariners on Tuesday.

Power Plays

NBA Los Angeles vs. San Antonio
Take San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are not your everyday NBA team. They are the NBA Champions from 2007. Lakers are good but can they pull an upset on the road. Bryant has been held to under 30 points per game thanks to a stellar defense in San Antonio. Spurs have the ability to dig deep and stave off the Lakers. Take the side on the Spurs.

Lucky Leprechaun Sports

NY Yanks/ BALTIMORE Under 9.5

The Under is 10-2-1 in Yankees last 13 games as a favorite of -110 to -150 and 5-1 in Kennedys last 6 road starts, while the Under is 25-12 in Orioles last 36 games vs. a right-handed starter and 8-1 in Burres' last 9 starts overall. The Yanks had their offensive fun at the hands of the pathetic Seattle pitching staff, but they have yet to get on track vs Baltimore and their young hurlers. On the year the Yanks are scoring just 3.1 rpg vs Baltimore, Including just 2.25 rpg at Baltimore. Tonight they take on Brian Burres, who has a solid 3.16 ERa overall, including a 2.45 ERA at home. Burres has also face the Yanks 5 times, posting a 3.00 ERA in the process. Ian Kennedy takes the hill for the Yanks and even though he has struggled this year he is off his best effort of the year, where he allowed just 1 run in 6 innings vs these same Orioles. Baltimore has had problems scoing lately as they are averaging just 2.5 rpg over their last 6 games and they are scoring just 3.9 rpg vs righty starters this year, while the Yanks are putting up only 3.7 rpg on the road. 6 of the last 7 in the series has gone Under and it should be another low scoring affair behind a lackluster offensive showing from both squads.

Bobby Maxwell

Toronto at OAKLAND -110

Hit our fourth straight FREE play winner on the diamond Monday as the White Sox got the job done in Cleveland and cashed our ticket. Today we stick in the American League and play the A's to get the best of the Blue Jays in Oakland.

Oakland is feeling very good about itself after sweeping the defending World Series champs over the weekend. So tonight we’re backing them as they host the Blue Jays, who kick off a nine-game road trip tonight in Oakland.

The A’s have won four in a row and pitching has carried them, allowing three runs or fewer in five straight games and four runs or less in 10 of their last 12. At home, this team has been on fire, winning 13 of its last 18.

Tonight they’ve got Greg Smith (2-4, 3.18 ERA) on the mound, who despite his record has been delivering quality performances for Oakland. The A’s won his first four starts this season but they are just 1-4 in his last five. The lefty is 1-1 at home with a stellar 2.88 ERA and back on April 9 he gave up two earned runs on two hits in a 6-3 road win in Toronto.

Oakland has won four in a row against the Blue Jays, including a three-game sweep in Toronto earlier this season. And dating back to last season, the A’s have won seven of the last nine in this series.

A.J. Burnett is on the hill for the Blue Jays and last time he saw Oakland he got knocked around for six runs on 10 hits in a 9-8 Toronto loss.

We’re backing Oakland in this one. Play the A’s at home.

4* OAKLAND

Jimmy The Moose comp

Game: Los Angeles Angels at Chicago Cubs
Prediction: Chicago Cubs

Reason: The Dodgers have lost 9 of their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning record. LA has lost 3 of their last 4 games. The Dodgers are 11-13 on the road this season. The Cubs are 20-7 in their last 27 home games. In their last 18 home games vs. a right-handed starter the Cubs are 15-3. The Cubs are 7-1 in their last 8 vs. NL West teams. Sean Gallagher has made two home starts this season and the Cubs have won both of them. Play on the Chicago Cubs -.

Big Al

Game: Houston Astros at St Louis Cardinals
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals

Reason: At 8:15pm our member selection is on the St. Louis Cardinals over the Houston Astros. The two righthanders facing each other tonight, Shawn Chacon of the Astros and Braden Looper of the Cardinals have almost interchangeable statistics so far this season in all but one important category. Both pitchers have thrown right around 60 innings so far. Chacon has a 4.11 ERA; Looper 4.34. Chacon has a 1.40 WHIP; Looper 1.41. The one main difference of course is wins. Looper has six on the season while Chacon is still looking for his second trip to the win column. Looper should by all accounts have another win as well. In his last home start against this Astros team back on April 25, Looper shut out Hosuton over seven innings, but got a no-decision as the Cards bullpen went on to blow the game (Chacon go the start for Houston in that one as well). But that difference in total wins for these two hurlers gives you a pretty good idea of where these two teams are relative to one another right now. And with this game being played in St. Louis, where the Cards are a very good 17-10, that's all I need to know to pick a winner here. Take the Cards.

Prime Sports Picks

Baltimore +110

Jack Clayton

White Sox

MadduxSports

LA & San Antonio Under 192

LOCKLINE SPORTS

Cleve

RedZone Sports

Indiana Fever (WNBA)

PlusLineSports

Boston Red Sox -1.5

Joe Wiz

Milwaukee +130

Arthur Ralph

Tampa Bay

Mike Wynn

Baltimore

Huddle Up

Atlanta/Milwaukee over 8.5

Totals 4 U

BLUE JAYS/ATHLETICS OVER

The Vegas Steam Line

ATLANTA

The Scout

Atlanta -135

COMPUTER SPORTS

CINCY REDS-140

ARMVIN SPORTS

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

AXEL PICKS

ROCKIES

Razor Sharp

ARIZONA -150

Dark Horse

Kansas City -130

BIG TIME SPORTS

YANKEES / ORIOLES OVER 9.5

Insider Sports Report

Cleveland -130

#1 Sports:

DETROIT TIGERS + 125

The Super Scout

YankeesOrioles Under 9.5

PRIORITY SPORTS

Angels -134

Glen Mcgrew

Cubs

SportsAction365

Texas/Tampa Bay OVER 9

NATIONAL SPORTS ADVISORS

Atlanta/Milwaukee OVER 9

PRIORITY SPORTS INFO

LA Angels -134

Jeff Scott Sports

Nyy/ Balt Under

Computer Sports

Reds

Brandon Lang

15 Dime - Padres
5 Dime - A's
5 Dime - Lakers