The Sports Advisors
Boston (62-15, 48-27-2 ATS) at Washington (40-37, 43-34 ATS)
Boston, which has begun to rest its Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen for the playoffs, travels to the Verizon Center to take on Washington, which is aiming to maintain – if not improve – on its spot as the fifth seed in the East.
The Celtics, despite resting their stars, pounded Charlotte 101-78 Saturday as a 1½-point chalk, then went to Milwaukee on Tuesday night and edged Milwaukee 107-104 in overtime for their seventh straight win. However, Boston came up way short as an 9½-point road chalk, ending a 6-0 ATS roll.
The Wizards dropped Chicago 99-87 Saturday as a seven-point road underdog for their second straight win after a three-game slide. Washington is 3-5 ATS in its last eight starts overall, though six of those games were played on the highway, including five in the Western Conference. The Wizards currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just one game ahead of Philadelphia and two clear of Toronto.
Washington has won two of three meetings against league-leading Boston this season, including an 88-83 road upset catching 11½ points on Jan. 14. Just two nights earlier, the Wizards knocked off the Celtics 85-78 as a 6½-point home pup. The underdog is on a 10-3 ATS run in this series.
Despite last night’s non-cover, the Celtics are on a 15-4 ATS tear in their last 19 starts and are on further positive ATS runs of 4-0 on Wednesday, 4-1 against the Eastern Conference, 5-1 against winning teams, 46-18-1 on the road and a sterling 27-9-1 when playing on back-to-back nights.
The Wizards are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 starts against the Atlantic Division, but they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine on Wednesday and 1-5 ATS in their last six home starts.
For Boston, the under is on streaks of 4-1 overall, 7-1 against the Eastern Conference, 7-2 against Southeast Division foes, 4-1 on Wednesdays and 4-1 when playing on no rest. On the flip side, for Washington, the over is on runs of 5-1 overall, 7-0 against Atlantic Division opponents, 8-1 in D.C., 4-1 when playing on three or more days of rest and 19-7 in Eastern Conference play. Finally, the over is 7-2 in the last nine matchups between these two in Washington.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON and OVER
Phoenix (52-26, 37-38-3 ATS) at San Antonio (53-24, 35-40-2 ATS)
Phoenix, playing for the second straight night on the road, heads to the AT&T Center to take on red-hot San Antonio in a battle of Western Conference powers.
The Suns, who blew a big fourth-quarter lead in losing to Dallas 105-98 Sunday as a 4½-point home favorite, traveled to Memphis on Tuesday night and hammered the Grizzlies 127-113, barely getting the cover as a 12½-point favorite. Phoenix, which trails the Lakers by 1½ games in the race for the Pacific Division title, has alternated ATS wins and losses over its last eight games and is just 4-5 ATS in its last nine.
The Spurs held off Portland 72-65 Sunday in a defensive battle, failing to cover as an 8½-point road chalk for its second straight ATS setback. However, San Antonio is on a 9-1 SU run, going 7-3 against the number during that stretch.
Phoenix has taken two of three meetings with the Spurs this season, including a 94-87 home win a month ago as a 1½-point ‘dog. The Suns also posted a 100-95 road win catching two points in December, but the Spurs won 84-81 at Phoenix in January as a 7½-point pup. So the underdog has cashed in all three clashes this season and is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six going back to last year’s contentious Western Conference semifinal playoff series, which San Antonio won 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS).
The Suns are just 5-16-3 ATS in their last 24 Wednesday contests, and they are 2-4 ATS in their last six on the highway and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five when playing on back-to-back nights. But they are on positive ATS upticks of 9-2-1 against the Western Conference and 6-2 against the Southwest Division.
The Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last six when playing on two days rest, but they carry positive pointspread trends of 4-1 against winning teams, 4-1 at home and 7-3 on Wednesday.
For Phoenix, the over is on streaks of 8-1 on Wednesday, 7-2 against the Southwest Division, 5-2 on no rest and 16-5 against teams with a winning percentage above .600. For San Antonio, though, the under is on runs of 5-1 against winning teams, 6-2 on Wednesday and 4-1 when playing on two days’ rest. Finally, the under is on a 5-1 tear in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (4-4) at N.Y. Mets (2-4)
The Phillies send second-year starter Kyle Kendrick (1-0, 7.20 ERA) to the mound at Shea Stadium to face another young right-hander in the Mets’ Mike Pelfrey (3-8, 5.57 in 2007), who is making his first start of the season.
Philadelphia was a key contributor to New York’s late-season swoon last year, taking eight straight games from the Mets, including a key three-game series at Shea in mid-September. On Tuesday, the Phillies picked up where they left off last year, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2 for their ninth straight win in the series. They’re 13-6 in the last 19 meetings overall and 8-2 in their last 10 games at Shea.
New York has lost three straight overall and 10 of its last 11 at home. Meanwhile, Philly is 7-2 in its last nine as an underdog.
Kendrick, who went a solid 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts last season, gave up four runs on five hits in five innings of work in his season debut Friday, an 8-4 victory at Cincinnati. In his only start against the Mets as a rookie, he gave up just two runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 5-3 home victory last July.
Pelfrey was the losing pitcher against Kendrick last July in his only start against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings. He was a wreck at home, too, going 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in 10 games (eight starts).
The under is 7-3-1 in the last 11 head-to-head meetings overall and 7-2 in the last nine clashes in New York. The under is also 9-4 in the Phillies’ last 13 games against right-handed starters. On the flip side, the over is on streaks of 8-1 when Kendrick starts (1-0 this year), 6-2-1 for the Mets at Shea, 16-6 for the Mets overall, 17-6-1 for the Mets against division rivals and 4-0 for Pelfrey at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and OVER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit (0-7) at Boston (4-4)
The Tigers, who remain the only winless team in baseball, look to finally get in the win column when they send righty Jeremy Bonderman (0-1, 5.68) to the mound against left-hander Jon Lester (1-1, 3.38) in the second game of a three-game set at Fenway Park.
Detroit dropped all six games of its season-opening homestand, then went to Fenway yesterday afternoon and got blanked 5-0, managing just five hits in the defeat. The Tigers, who have the second-highest payroll in baseball, have been shutout twice already this season, and their potent offense has produced just 15 runs in seven games.
The Red Sox, who returned home yesterday after a brutal four-city, three-country road trip that took them from Tokyo to Los Angeles to Oakland to Toronto, snapped a three-game slide with Tuesday’s victory. Including postseason games, Boston is 58-31 at home since the start of last season.
The Tigers are now 5-18 in their last 23 games at Fenway Park, including going 1-3 in a four-game set last May before sweeping the Red Sox in a three-game July series at home.
Bonderman, who went 11-9 with a 5.01 ERA last season, allowed four runs on eight hits – including two homers – in 6 1/3 innings in a 4-1 home loss to Kansas City on Thursday. Against the Red Sox, he is 3-4 with a 4.58 ERA in nine career starts, with all three wins coming in the last three outings, all in Detroit. However, he’s 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA in four career starts at Fenway Park.
Bonderman was 6-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 14 road starts last year, far better than his home numbers (5-6, 5.32 ERA). The Tigers have won eight of his last 11 on the highway.
Lester, who was 4-0 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts last year, bounced back from a 5-1 loss to the A’s in Japan two weeks ago to lead a 5-0 win at Oakland on April 2. Lester allowed just three hits in 6 2/3 innings in the victory.
Not including the postseason, Lester is 5-1 with a 4.60 ERA in 14 career games (13 starts) at Fenway Park. Tonight marks his first ever start against the Tigers.
For Detroit, the under is on runs of 16-7 on the highway, 5-1 against lefty starters and 4-1 with Bonderman on the mound. Also, the under is 4-2-1 in Boston’s last seven, 7-1 in Lester’s last eight starts (2-0 this year) and 7-2-1 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
MIKE WYNN
Houston -16.5 Over Seattle
TOTALS 4 U
PADRES/GIANTS UNDER 8 1/2 RUNS
RAZORS EDGE
ATLANTA (James) -125 over Colorado
DARK HORSE
Arizona +105 over LA Dodgers
HUDDLE UP
Chicago/Orlando under 206
#1 SPORTS
TORONTO RAPTORS
THE VEGAS STEAMLINE
Seattle (Washburn) -120 over Tampa Bay
COMPUTER SPORTS
MINNESOTA T-WOLVES +9 1/2
ARTHUR RALPH
Seattle Mariners
DR VEGAS
Mets -140 over Philadelphia
BIG TIME SPORTS
ATLANTA /INDIANA OVER 212
MIGHTY QUINN
New York Rangers.
Tom Coffaro
Chicago Cubs -128
Platinum Sports Investing Club
Arizona Diamondbacks -106
David Page
Houston Astros -114
BIG SHOW Handicapping
Colorado Rockies +104
Joey Hannigan - Playmakers
Cleveland Indians +104
Buck Shot Boys
Minnesota Twins
Must Win Sports Picks
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tony Stoffo
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Play: Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Cosby and Evgeni Malkin scored 71 goals and 180 points this season, and I look for them to explode against a Ottawa defense that is less than average at best coming into the playoffs. Plus with Marc-Andre Fleury having all the momentum at the present time, compared to the inept Senators goaltending. I look for a injured (Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher, and Chris Kelly) Ottawa squad that really don't like each other to go down with not much of a fight to the Penguins here.
Alex Smart
Game: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Prediction: under
Reason: The NHL playoffs, usually signal, the beginning, of a new season, and a added attention to defense. Tonight Im expecting more of the same , as two division rivals the Rangers and the Devils go head to head. .In the recent past , these teams have played many tight , physical battles , which have resulted in a series that has predominantly been low scoring. Since the start of the 2003-04 season these two franchises have combined to play Under the set total in 20 of 34 times with 7 pushes. During that span with New Jersey playing as hosts, 10 games have ended below the number with 4 pushes. This season has seen five of eight (1 push) finish Under the number with the Devils a perfect 0-3-1 O/U at home. With these squads and coaching staffs knowing each other's game inside out .... why should the postseason be any different. Play Under
James Patrick Sports
Indians vs. Angels
Paul Byrd was a former employee of the Halos and he usually gets a good outing with plenty of offensive support when he takes the mound against Anaheim. Our selection in afternoon action in Major League Baseball is Cleveland Indians
ARMVIN SPORTS
NHL
NY RANGERS at NEW JERSEY Over 4.5
MLB
SAN DIEGO PADRES -124
Karl Garrett
On-deck for New Orleans is a stop at the Staples Center for a date with the Lakers, so with little wiggle room for the top spot in the West Conference, look for New Orleans to take care of a Minnesota team that lost their 5th in a row last night.
The loss by the Timberwolves did see them sneak inside of the number for the first time in their last 4 games.
New Orleans has won 2 of the 3 meetings this year both straight up, and against the spread, and the G-Man sees no reason why the current #1 team in the west won's roll the Timberwolves tonight.
Hornets to cruise.
2* NEW ORLEANS
Sports Gambling Hotline
We have to wonder when reality is going to set in for the Baltimore Orioles, winners of 6 in a row. We also have to wonder when the linesmakers are going to at least show this current Baltimore tear a little more respect?
The O's have been getting great pitching, timely hitting, and starter Steve Trachsel is coming off a win in his first start, limiting the Mariners to just 2 runs over 6 innings of work.
Kason Gabbard looked strong in his first start for the Rangers, but this Baltimore team is rolling to well to go against right now - especially at this price!
Until we see evidence of the O's cooling off, we will back them as the nice underdog tonight at Texas.Play on the Birds.
2* BALTIMORE
Bobby Maxwell
Don't look now, but the Rockies have won two in a row. After winning their opener, they dropped their next five before the Braves came to Colorado and now they've won two straight.
But the offense is still not right as the two wins have come 2-1 on Monday and 4-3 on Tuesday. The pitching got them the wins.
The bats have got to come around and expect some big things tonight as the Rockies face the Braves' Chuck James who's making his first start of the season. James saw Colorado twice last season and gave up four runs in about five innings of work both times.
Mark Redman (0-1, 6.35) is on the mound for Colorado after giving up five runs (four earned) in 5.2 innings against the D'Backs back on Friday in an 8-1 loss. This guy delivered three huge starts down the stretch for Colorado last season, beating the Dodgers, Padres and D'Backs.
He's got plenty of experience pitching against the Braves as he was previously with the Marlins and Pirates.
Let's bank on Redman giving a quality start and handing it over to this stellar bullpen. And the Rockies, who haven't gotten more than four runs in a game this season, will bust out of their slump and hit a few homers at Coors Field.
3* COLORADO
JIM FEIST
Give credit to the young Bobcats, winning 5 of 9 games. The only losses were to playoff teams, Boston, Cleveland, Toronto and Utah. That win streak includes victories as an underdog at Portland and the LA Lakers. They take on a terrible NY Knick team that has packed in the season, losing 10 of their last 12. The Knicks are 15-23 ATS at home. It?s also a tough scheduling spot, their third game in four nights after playing at Detroit Tuesday. Play the Bobcats!
DAVE COKIN
Scott Baker and John Danks are two pitchers with a decent chance to break out this year. Neither projects as a staff ace, but both have a good chance to become very solid mid-rotation types. I like Baker in this matchup. He's showing some pretty decent numbers against the likely starting lineup for the Pale Hose. But Danks hasn't fared as well with the Twins probables, with Justin Morneau in particular giving him nightmares. The Chisox have been impressive so far, but I believe they're a shade overpriced here, so I'll back the Twins for the upset."
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Arizona (Owings) + 110* over Los Angeles Dodgers (Kuroda)
Owings is 1-0 winning at Colorado 8-1 allowing one run on two hits over seven innings posting a career high nine strike outs. Arizona on a five game win streak is 5-1 last six meetings.
Philadelphia (Kendrick) + 130* over (at) New York Mets (Pelfrey)
Defending NL East champ Philadelphia has won the last nine meetings. The Phillies are 7-2 last nine Kendrick starts. Kendrick is 1-0 life vs. the Mets with a 2.70 ERA.
St. Louis (Looper) - 105* over (at) Houston (Sampson)
St. Louis is 6-1 last seven games. The Cardinals went 3-1 in four Looper starts vs. Houston last season. Sampson was 1-1 vs. St. Louis last season allowing six runs over 13 innings.
Tony Mathews
Matchup: Seattle SuperSonics vs. Houston Rockets
Selection: Houston Rockets -16.5
Explanation: We will lay the points with the Houston Rockets as they face-off against the Seattle SuperSonics in Wednesday's NBA contest.
The Houston Rockets have the superior defense. The Houston Rockets (at home) are allowing opponents to score an average of only 90.6 points per game, while the Seattle SuperSonics (on the road) are allowing opponents to score an average of 109.1 points per game. As you can see, the Houston Rockets have the superior defense.
The Houston Rockets have been a solid at home team this season. In fact, the Houston Rockets are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 home games.
Take the Houston Rockets -16.5
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Seattle w/Washburn
Note: The Mariners send southpaw Jarrod Washburn up against the Rays tonight knowing he is 10-5 with a 2.88 ERA in his career team starts against Tampa. He also owned a sharp 3.30 ERA in 14 starts in April entering this season. Back the better team with Washburn here tonight.
VEGAS EXPERTS TIP OF THE DAY
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
Cubs did not fare well against left-handed starters last year, averaging just 2.6 runs per game vs. southpaws. Therefore, despite Monday's offensive outburst, they're probably not too happy to see the Pirates Zach Duke, who has a 2.10 ERA against them to begin with. At the same time, Chicago starter Ryan Dempster, a converted starter from the closer's role, has really struggled against Pittsburgh going 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA, including work out of the bullpen.
Play on: Pittsburgh