Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on Minnesota Timberwolves -7
Milwaukee has given up on their season and the Timberwolves won’t feel sorry for the Bucks one bit tonight. It hasn’t helped that two of their best players in Yi Jianlian and Charlie Bell are out for the season. But these are the facts and Minnesota will run away in blowout fashion with their last home game of the season Wednesday. Milwaukee is 0-7 SU and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. They have lost 4 straight games by double digits with 16, 13, 16 and 18-point losses respectively. The Bucks are getting outscored by more than 13 points per game in their last 5 games overall. Milwaukee is 4-15 ATS in their last 19 road games against Northwest Division opponents. Milwaukee is 1-9 ATS versus terrible teams - outscored by their opponents by 6+ points/game this season. The Bucks take one last hit Wednesday. Cash in with Minnesota as the favorite.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Toronto Blue Jays -139
(List Litsch and Gabbard)
Toronto is scoring 6 runs per game at home this season. The Blue Jays will give Jesse Litsch plenty of run support against Kason Gabbard Wednesday. Litsch is 2-0 with a solid 3.37 ERA in his only 2 starts of the season. The Blue Jays are already 3-0 against the Rangers this season after sweeping the board in Texas from April 11th through April 13th. Litsch held the Rangers to just 2 earned runs on 6 hits with his Quality Start. Toronto is 31-12 at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. Texas is 7-19 on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. The Blue Jays are 5-0 in Litsch’s lat 5 starts overall. The Rangers are 1-10 in their last 11 games on Field Turf. Take Toronto here.
Info Plays
3* on St. Louis Cardinals -130
St. Louis owns a 10-4 record to start the season and it’s all due to their brilliant starting rotation. Adam Wainwright has a 3.60 ERA in his first two starts of the year. He pitched 8 strong innings in his only home start by allowing just 2 earned runs and 1 walk against the Nationals. The Brewers are in for another long day after getting thumped by the Cardinals last night. Wainwright pitched a 2-hitter in one of his 2 starts against the Brewers last season. Milwaukee is 21-46 (-22.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons. Milwaukee is 7-23 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 3 seasons. Cardinals’ hitters are very underrated this season. Bet St. Louis at home.
DCI
NBA
Philadelphia 97, CHARLOTTE 96
ORLANDO 106, Washington 98
Detroit vs. CLEVELAND: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
INDIANA 111, New York 100
BOSTON 104, New Jersey 86
Atlanta 99, MIAMI 93
SAN ANTONIO 98, Utah 96
MINNESOTA 104, Milwaukee 97
CHICAGO 99, Toronto 98
HOUSTON 103, L.A. Clippers 84
DALLAS 98, New Orleans 97
DENVER 122, Memphis 105
PHOENIX 111, Portland 99
GOLDEN STATE 120, Seattle 105
NHL
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 4, best-of-7
New Jersey vs. N.Y. RANGERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Pittsburgh vs. OTTAWA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 4, best-of-7
Detroit 3, NASHVILLE 2
THE POWER INDEX
NBA
Detroit .5 over Cleveland*
Indiana* 9 over New York
Orlando* 8 over Washington
Charlotte* 1.5 over Philadelphia
Dallas* 2.5 over New Orleans
Atlanta 4 over Miami*
Boston* 15 over New Jersey
Minnesota* 7.5 over Milwaukee
Chicago* .5 over Toronto
Houston* 16 over L.A. Clippers
Denver* 14.5 over Memphis
San Antonio* 1.5 over Utah
Phoenix* 11 over Portland
Golden State* 14.5 over Seattle
NHL
Pittsburgh (-125) .5 over Ottawa* (+125)
N.Y. Rangers* (-149) .5 over New Jersey (+149)
Nashville* (-100) even with Detroit (+100)
MLB DUNKEL
Tampa Bay at Minnesota
The Twins look to bounce back from two late-inning collapses in Detroit behind starter Livan Hernandez, who has won half the team's games (3) with a solid 2.57 ERA. Minnesota is the home underdog pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+105). Here are all of today's games.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
Game 901-902: Arizona at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 16.714; San Francisco (Zito) 14.699
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-175); Over
Game 903-904: Houston at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 14.997; Philadelphia (Kendrick) 15.342
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-105); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-105); Under
Game 905-906: Atlanta at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 14.195; Florida (Hendrickson) 14.808
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+150); Under
Game 907-908: Washington at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Chico) 13.229; NY Mets (Maine) 15.138
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-195); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-195); Under
Game 909-910: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Fogg) 14.328; Cubs (Zambrano) 15.533
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-200); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-200); N/A
Game 911-912: Milwaukee at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Villanueva) 14.552; St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.720
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-115); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-115); N/A
Game 913-914: Colorado at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Redman) 14.959; San Diego (Germano) 15.182
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140); Over
Game 915-916: Pittsburgh at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.937; LA Dodgers (Penny) 15.310
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-205); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-205); Over
Game 917-918: Detroit at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 13.935; Cleveland (Sabathia) 14.739
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-155); Over
Game 919-920: Texas at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Gabbard) 14.675; Toronto (Litsch) 16.430
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-135); Over
Game 921-922: Boston at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Buchholz) 14.642; NY Yankees (Wang) 15.929
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-150); Over
Game 923-924: Chicago White Sox at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Contreras) 14.930; Baltimore (Loewen) 15.147
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+105); Under
Game 925-926: Tampa Bay at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.282; Minnesota (Hernandez) 16.157
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+105); Under
Game 927-928: Kansas City at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Meche) 14.829; LA Angels (Weaver) 15.873
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-150); Over
Game 929-930: Seattle at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.613; Oakland (Blanton) 15.226
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+100); Under
NBA DUNKEL
Milwaukee at Minnesota
The Timberwolves took two out of three on their just-completed road trip and finish the season at home tonight against a Milwaukee team that has lost seven straight. Minnesota is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the T'wolves favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's games.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
Game 501-502: Cleveland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 120.933; Detroit 120.182
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 1; 179
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 503-504: Philadelphia at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 118.339; Charlotte 119.146
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 1; 200 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 505-506: New York at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New York 110.841; Indiana 122.890
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 12; 220 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 7; 217 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-7); Over
Game 507-508: Washington at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 117.287; Orlando 125.292
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8; 200
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: New Jersey at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 110.539; Boston 129.843
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 19; 177 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 511-512: Atlanta at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 117.164; Miami 109.388
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 8; 179 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 513-514: Utah at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 124.443; San Antonio 126.278
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 2; 187 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 515-516: Milwaukee at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 107.321; Minnesota 115.823
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 8 1/2; 220
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 7 1/2; 216
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7 1/2); Over
Game 517-518: LA Clippers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 106.128; Houston 127.735
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 21 1/2; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 14; 185
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-14); Over
Game 519-520: New Orleans at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 124.208; Dallas 126.669
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 2 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 521-522: Toronto at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 115.751; Chicago 118.424
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 204
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 6 1/2; 211
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+6 1/2); Under
Game 523-524: Memphis at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 107.646; Denver 125.635
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 18; 228 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 525-526: Portland at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 113.124; Phoenix 131.043
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 18; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 12; 210
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-12); Over
Game 527-528: Seattle at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 106.638; Golden State 124.620
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 18; 236 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL DUNKEL
Pittsburgh at Ottawa
Pittsburgh was eliminated from the playoffs last season by Ottawa, but looks poised to return the favor this year after jumping out to a 3-0 series lead while outscoring the Senators 13-4. The Penguins are the pick (-155) to close out the series tonight according to Dunkel, which has Pittsburgh favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-155). Here are all of today's games.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
Game 1-2: Pittsburgh at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.223; Ottawa 10.634
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-155); Under
Game 3-4: New Jersey at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 10.874; NY Rangers 11.122
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-140); 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-140); Under
Game 5-6: Detroit at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.628; Nashville 11.550
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-140); Over
SportsKingz
MLB
N.Y. YANKEES -160
ARIZONA -200
TORONTO -140
NBA
SUNS OV 210
Ben Burns
GAME: Diamondbacks (RL) @ Giants (RL)
PICK: Giants (RL)
REASON FOR PICK: The Giants' struggles in day games have been well documented and the betting public is really down on today's starter, Barry Zito. Those factors have helped to create excellent value, where we can now get the Giants at +1.5 runs for a very reasonable price. Considering that four of the Giants' past eight games (and five of the past 10 meetings here in this series) have been decided by one run, having that extra run to work with is extremely significant.
Zito, 0-3, lost his lone home start but was victimized by some unearned runs, as he only gave up one earned run (1.50 ERA) through six complete innings. He's pitched well against Arizona, recording a 2.73 ERA in five starts. The last time he faced the Diamondbacks at this ballpark was almost exactly one year ago (4/21/07) and he allowed just four hits through seven shutout innings, en route to a 1-0 SF victory.
Of course, Webb remains one of the best in the National League and he's off to another strong start. He was only mediocre the last time that he faced the Giants though and Arizona lost by a score of 8-5. He wasn't particularly dominant in his last start here at SF either, allowing seven hits and four earned runs through seven innings.
Yesterday's loss notwithstanding, the Giants have still won five of their past seven. Zito, who also began 2005 by losing his first three games, has never suffered four lossses in four games over his career. Desperate to avoid this dubious distinction and inspired by facing a fellow former-Cy Young award winner, I expect him to bounce back with a solid effort. Consider playing SAN FRANCISCO (+1.5 RUNS) on the run line.
MATT RIVERS
Wednesday take the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
If Chien Ming Wang hurls another gem like he did in Fenway in that last start then I will tip my cap to him and say so be it. But it is extremely tough for any pitcher to do what he did when facing tough professional hitters some five days later. These guys are too good to not make some necessary adjustments and even with David Ortiz' slump the guy is a killer and could get back into form at the drop of a hat. Combine Big Papi with Manny, Ellsbury, Drew and one of the best overall lineups in the game in the Sox and I will take my chances here with Terry Francona's group.
Clay Bucholz obviously has a huge upside with his tremendous stuff. The righty threw that no-hitter last year and looked unreal. Things have been a little different this season in his starts against New York and Toronto but I am just fine with the Boston hurler as he is better than average and I will trust him in this revenge situation.
Joe Girardi's club is old and we are starting to really see it with the injuries to Posada, Jeter and others and also will probably be without stud middle reliever Joba Chamberlain.
In this heated and hated rivalry it is never impossible for the underdog to win the game. I expect Wang to be a little off today and not resemble the same guy as last week and for the Sox to prove they are the overall superior team in another victory between these squads.
Look for Bucholz to put in a solid effort and for the BoSox to win something like 6-3.
TONY WESTON
Were going for another one tonight as we switch gears and focus on some baseball in Philly.
While Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt has had his share of struggles this year, look for him to break out of his slump against the Philadelphia Phillies tonight.
The Astros dropped one to the Phillies last night, but have won two of their last three games overall and have had pretty good success against Philadelphia when Oswalt takes the mound.
Houston is 5-0 its last five meetings when Oswalt gets a start against Philadelphia. In the last four games the Phillies have averaged only three runs per game.
The Astros are also 8-2 in Oswalts last 10 starts against the NL East. Also consider that Houston is 10-4 its last 14 games in Philadelphia and the Astros are 17-8 their last 25 games against the Phillies.
Take Oswalt as the Astros starting pitcher and take Houston on the road.
3* ASTROS (1* to 5* Scale)
MONEY LOCK OF THE DAY
DIGGER'S PICK
ATL/FLA Under 9
Both clubs are struggling to score runs.With Hudson and Hendrickson on the mound this trend will continue.
HAWKER'S PICK
Philadelphia Phillies -120
Roy Oswalt is pitching the worst of his career right now. Last outing he gave up a career high 4 home runs and has 16 earned runs in just three outings so far. The Phillies line-up isn't exactly what you want to see when you are struggling to find your groove. I look for the Phillies to exploit Roy's confidence and get the win here.
Bobby Maxwell
Houston -105 at PHILADELPHIA
Very tough way for the Astros to lose Tuesday's game, dominating the Phillies for eight innings and then having new closer Jose Valverde come in and immediately get knocked around to the tune of four runs and lose 4-3.
Today Houston has got to bounce back from that one and even though he hasn't been good this season, look for Astros' starter Roy Oswalt (0-3, 9.00 ERA) to deliver a gem for them in their time of need. Oswalt has given up 17 runs this season in losses to Florida, the Cubs and Padres. But he's too good of a pitcher to continue stinking it up and he knows his team needs him after the ugly Tuesday loss.
Oswalt has had great success against the Phillies, leading Houston to five straight wins, including three in Philadelphia. Three of those five wins he held them to one or zero runs.
Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 6.14 ERA) is on the mound for the Phillies after a debacle in New York a week ago. He lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing seven runs - but only one was earned. He walked six and gave up four hits in the 8-2 Philadelphia loss.
The Astros are 8-2 when Oswalt faces N.L. East competition and 23-7 when he pitches on Wednesdays. Head-to-head, Houston is 10-4 in the last 14 in Philadelphia and 17-8 in the last 25 overall.
We're siding with Oswalt because he knows how to pitch and how to beat the Phillies.
3* HOUSTON
Sports Gambling Hotline
Winner last night on the NY Yankees to make it a 132-112-4 comp play run!
Tonight we will come right back with Baltimore to get back on track at home against the White Sox.
The O's bats were held down last night by the Blue Jays, and Shaun Marcum, but we don't think that Jose Contreras will be able to do the same this evening.
Contreras doesn't look as though he is going to right his ship anytime soon, as the vet is off to an 0-2 start, and has allowed an alarming 8 runs in his first 12 innings of work - and to the slow-starting Tigers no less!
Last year, Baltimore did pound Contreras to a tune of 11 runs in 11 innings, as the Orioles handed Jose a pair of losses in as many starts.
Adam Loewen is better than his first 2 starts indicate, and the Orioles did take 3 of the 4 games played last year at Camden Yards.
Baltimore is still a solid 6-2 at home even with last night's loss, and we will jump on them tonight at this price.
Play on the Orioles.
3* BALTIMORE
Karl Garrett
Boston and the Yankees just finished up a weekend set at Fenway, and now they will do it again tonight, this time in the Bronx.
Both Buchholz and Wang hook up for the second time in 5 days, and the G-Man will lay the wood with the Yanks and Wang in this one.
No knock on Clay, as he did do a nice job holding New York to 1 earned run in his 6 innings of work, but Wang is dealing on a different level right now. Wang tossed the 2 hitter at the Sox last Friday, and is now 3-0 with an ERA just over 1 to start the new season!
Wang is also 4-1 dating back to last year over his last 5 starts against the Red Sox.
New York was able to double-up Boston in the Bronx last year, winning 6 of the 9 games played in the House that Ruth Built, and after dropping 2 of 3 this past weekend, look for the Yankees to open this set with the win.
G-Man on the Bronx Bombers tonight.
3* NY YANKEES
John Ryan
Arizona D-Backs vs. San Francisco Giants
Play: San Francisco Giants
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on San Francisco. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 65-37 ATS and has made 34 units since 2002. Play against NL road teams with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season and is an excellent fielding team that is averaging <=0.5 errors/game on the season. Zito may not be what he used to be, but at least he is heading in that direction and he has also pitched well agains Arizona despite minimal run support. Note that he is 2-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.73 and a WHIP of 1.394. SF is also in two powerful roles for this game noting they are 11-3 (+9.9 Units) against the money line versus teams averaging 3.5 or more extra base hits per game over the last 2 seasons; 11-3 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in home games versus an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.150 or better over the last 3 seasons. The current members of the Giants have batted 270 against Webb spanning 211 Abs. On the scouting report, Webb has a strong tendency to throw the FB 88% of the time when even or behind in the count and there are numerous FB loving hitters in the Giants lineup. Winn, for example, is batting 429 against Webb in his career. Zito pitches well and the Giants give Webb his first loss of the season.