Bob Harvey Sports
Take LA Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds UNDER 9.
The Dodgers look to snap a season high-tying five-game losing streak Tuesday night when they open a three-game road series against the Reds. Though they’re in second place in the weak NL West, the Dodgers (31-38) have yet to perform like a team bound for the postseason. They’ve lost 17 of 23 games since May 23, including their last five by a combined 35-12 to fall a season-worst seven games below .500.
The Reds (33-38) haven’t fared much better than the Dodgers lately, losing nine of their last 14 and getting shut out three times in that stretch. They were held to six hits in a 9-0 loss to Boston on Sunday. Cincinnati could struggle again tonight against Chad Billingsley whose last win came against the Reds on May 20. Billingsley, who grew up in Defiance, Ohio, pitched seven scoreless innings in that 4-1 victory, improving to 1-1 with a 0.68 ERA in three career games - two starts - against Cincinnati. The Dodgers are winless in Billingsley’s last four starts, in part because they’ve given the right-hander six total runs of support in those games. Cincinnati will counter with rookie Johnny Cueto who is making his second start against the Dodgers. He allowed four runs - two earned - in five innings of a 5-2 loss May 21.
The Fat Jack
La Lakers +4½
The Millionaires Club Guaranteed Selections
92% HIGH ROLLER BASEBALL WINNER
Arizona w/Webb -145
Dr. Bob
L.A. Lakers at BOSTON Under 191½
My ratings favor Boston by 4 points with a total of 191 ½ points, so the posted line is right where it should be for game 6. There are no significant situations favoring either side in this game, although road teams are 8-2 ATS in game 6 of the NBA Finals the last 19 years. The Under is also 8-2 in game 6 of the NBA finals and the final few games of a series tend to be lower scoring – especially when both teams are good. In fact, the Under is 52-25 in game 5, 6, or 7 of a playoff series if both teams have a win percentage of .666 or higher. I’ll lean with the Under at 191 points or higher and I have no opinion on the side.
Tony George
Boston Celtics
KELSO
10 Unit - Celtics
High Rollers Baseball 10 Unit - Tigers
5 Unit - Tampa
4 Unit - Atlanta
3 Unit - KC
Players of America
Los Angeles Lakers +5.0 Value: 1* (10 Units)
Milwaukee Brewers -110.0 Value: 3* (30 Units)
Seattle Mariners -145.0 Value: 3* (30 Units)
Atlanta Braves +100.0 Value: 1* (10 Units)
Arizona Diamondbacks -135.0 Value: 1* (10 Units)
Oakland Athletics vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Under 8.0 Value: 1* (10 Units)
VEGAS RUNNER
LAL 5.0 vs BOS NBA FINALS 3* GM 6 BEST BET
(If your book is using 4.5, BUY the 1/2 pt to +5)
CWS -1.5 (+115) vs PIT 1* RL WAGER
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES for TUESDAY
NORTH CAROLINA -1.5 (-115) 1*
ARI (-145) vs OAK 1* ML WAGER
MIL (-120) vs TOR 3* MLB BEST BET of the DAY
STL (-134) vs KAN 2* ML WAGER
NYM (+109)vs ANA 2* ML WAGER
TEX (+105) vs ATL 2* ML WAGER
PSYCHIC
5 units Boston -3.5
WISEGUY
Josh Dean
A.P. Premium Play
Boston -4
Computer Crushers Guaranteed Selections
5000 UNIT BASEBALL CRUSHER WINNER
Detroit w/Rogers -118
Winners Inc. Guaranteed Selections
5000* BASEBALL WINNER
LA Angels w/Lackey -117
Atslocks.com
15 Unit Lakers/Celtics Over 191
10 Unit Lakers +4.5
JB Sports
NBA 3* Lakers/Celtics under 191
Ben Burns
LAL 4.5 (-105) vs BOS
Analysis: I'm taking the points with the LAKERS. As you're probably aware, the celtics have covered every game in this series thus far. That has kept tonight's line generously high, despite the fact that the Celtics are somewhat banged-up and despite the fact that the Lakers are playing a 'must win' game. Yes, the Celtics would love to close out the series here. However, they've already lost a pair of Game 6's (at Atlanta and at Cleveland) only to win easily in Game 7, and the feeling that "there is always another game if we lose this one" may be difficult to get rid of entirely. Obviously, that's not the case for the Lakers, who have already won one game, when facing elimination. Then there are the nagging "bumps and bruises." Center Kendrick Perkins missed Game 5 with a shoulder injury and there's a good chance that he won't be ready for tonight's game. While it seemingly hasn't hurt his level of play too much, Paul Pierce still isn't at his best. Rajon Rondo is slowed by a "tender ankle" and Ray Allen had to leave LA immediately after Game 5 due to a "health issue" with one of his children. This is a difficut scheduling spot (for both teams) and Doc Rivers already seems to be getting his "excuse" ready, saying: "It's a terrible turnaround. It's as tough as you can have. I think going West to East is tougher. Sleep patterns are messed up. It's a tough one. There's no way around it..."
The Lakers have only played one 'Game 6' in these playoffs thus far. That was at Utah, which was the most difficult venue in the league this season. The Lakers had lost their previous two games at Utah in the series but won that important Game 6 clash outright. Despite dropping the first two games here, the Lakers are still an excellent 16-8-2 ATS as underdogs this season. They finally got a good game from Gasol (19 points, 13 rebounds) in Game 5 and I look for another massive team effort this evening. *Main Event
ARI / OAK Under 7.5
Analysis: I'm playing on Arizona and Oakland to finish UNDER the number. As most are aware, Webb has been one of the best in the game in recent seasons and that remains the case this year. Indeed, he's 11-2 with an outstanding 2.73 ERA and 1.004 in 14 starts. In his most recent home start, he tossed a complete game 6-hit shutout vs. the Nationals, recording 8 k's to go along with 0 walks. In fact, he hasn't walked a batter in any of his last three starts, recording a 1.71 ERA and 0.667 WHIP during that stretch. Not surprisingly, the UNDER was 2-0-1 in those games. During the past 12 months, the UNDER is 12-6-1 in his 19 home starts. Webb didn't face Oakland during that stretch. He did face the A's once in 2006 though. That game saw Webb toss a complete game 4-hitter, en route to a 3-1 Arizona victory. Duchscherer doesn't have the big name that Webb does. However, he's also been excellent this season. In fact, in 10 starts, he has a 2.20 ERA and 1.011 WHIP. Three of his five road starts have fallen below the number, most recently a 3-1 game at Texas. Ovearll, these teams have seen the UNDER go a combined 8-3-1 in 12 Interleague games this season. Look for more of the same tonight, as this well-pitched affair stays beneath the number.
*Annihilator
TAM (-140) vs CHC
Analysis: I'm laying the price with TAMPA BAY. Dempster has been excellent for the Cubs. However, Kazmir has been even better for the Rays, going 6-2 with a stellar 1.74 ERA. His home stats are even better still, as he's been nearly unhittable here at Tampa. Indeed, in four home starts, the Rays' ace has gone a perfect 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA and 0.808 WHIP. That's one earned run in 26 innings pitched! Kazmir will have some added motivation here, as Cubs' manager Lou Pinella was his first big league manager and he'll be anxious to impress. Not that he has needed much help but it should be noted that Kazmir will have the support of a Tampa bay bullpen which has a combined 2.18 ERA in 107+ innings of work here at home. The Rays have won eight straight series here and are 22-4 their last 26 home games overall. On the other hand, despite a few recent victories, the Cubs remain below 500 on the road. They're also 0-3 their last three games in a dome and just 9-18 their last 27 in a dome overall. Look for Kazmir to continue his dominance in this park as the Rays grab the series opener against their former manager.
SEA (-145) vs FLA
Analysis: I'm laying the price with SEATTLE. The Marlins brutal travel schedule, which saw them play on the East Coast on Sunday and the West Coast on Monday, didn't affect them in yesterday's opener. However, facing one of the hottest pitchers in the league, I expect the trave/fatigue to catch up with them this evening. Olsen has pitched well for the Marlins all season and he's got a respectable 3.94 ERA in five road starts. The Marlins didn't provide him with any run support (lost 3-0) and have now lost four of his last five starts. Tonight, they'll face Felix Hernandez, who hasn't given up a single-earned run (1 unearned) over his last three starts, a span of 21 innings. To go along with that 0.00 ERA, he has a 0.762 WHIP over the three starts with more K's (20) than walks (4) and hits (12) combined. Despite their overall struggles, the Mariners won those three games by a combined score of 15-1! Behind another big game from Hernandez, look for them to finally get back on track tonight. *IL GOW
TEX (-110) vs ATL
Analysis: I'm playing on TEXAS. I believe that the 'situation' favors the Rangers here. For starters, the game is being played at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. That's worth noting as the Rangers have won 13 of their last 21 home games to climb above 500 here for the season. On the other hand, despite a few victories recently, the Braves remain a dismal 10-25 away from Atlanta. The Rangers, who had yesterday off, also have the schedule in their favor. That's because the Braves had to play a 'make-up game' at Colorado yesterday, after having closed out a 3-game set at California the previous day. That makes it eight road games in the past eight days with this one coming in the fourth different venue, during that stretch. Hudson has pitched well. However, the Braves have given him very little run support and are 0-4 his last four starts. Dating back to last season, they're just 3-9 the last 12 times that Hudson started a game outside of Atlanta. Although he pitched well, it should also be noted that Hudson was treated for dehydration after his last start. After the game, when the clubhouse was opened to the media, the Braves said that Hudson was unavailable to talk. That's because he was still in the trainer's room with an IV providing him fluids. Bobby Cox was quoted as saying: "He couldn't bend his fingers." While Hudson figures to have recovered, he still might not be 100%. Regardless of whether or not that proves to be the case, he'll be facing a red hot Texas lineup which leads the entire league in both number of hits and runs scored. Padilla gets the call and he's been extremely solid. He's 8-3 with a 3.89 ERA on the season (3.27 ERA and 1.273 WHIP at home) with the Rangers going an impressive 11-3 in his starts. Dating back to last September, the Rangers are 14-4 the last 18 times that he took the mound. Look for them to be the 'fresher' team, as the Braves travel schedule catches up with them and their road struggles resume.