John Ryan
Game: Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
Prediction: Miami Heat
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Miami. AiS shows a 70% probability that Miami will lose this game by 4 or fewer points. True enough is the fact that this be more or less a scrimmage, but it is nevertheless a 3* Major. Miami (14-67) needs to win its finale to avoid setting the worst record in franchise history. The Heat went 15-67 in their inaugural 1988-89 season. So, yes motivation will be a factor to some extent. I also believe Atlanta will preserve most of their starters for Game 1 against Boston giving the Heat a solid chance to win in front of what few home folks may even attend this game. Take the Heat.
Larry Ness
ANA / KAN Over 8.5
The KC Royals still own the second-best team ERA (3.10) in MLB despite their 11-6 loss at Seattle last night. KC also owns MLB's top bullpen ERA at 2.50. Getting the call for KC in this game in Anaheim against the Angels is the team's big free agent signing from a year ago, Gil Meche. Meche opened with a solid effort vs the Tigers back on March 31 but in two starts since (both vs the Twins), he's struggled. He's lasted just 11.2 innings while allowing 11 hits, six walks and 11 ERs for an ERA of 8.49. That doesn't spell good news when facing an Angel lineup which leads the majors in batting (.301) and has scored the second-most runs (79). Remember, the Angels just 'killed' right-handed pitching last year, going 75-47 and that included a 31-8 mark vs righties in home night games, with the Angels averaging 6.7 RPG. The Angels have opened '08 by going 9-5 vs righties, averaging 5.2 RPG. Historically, Meche is 7-2 with a 5.13 ERA in 17 career starts against LA and while he's 6-1 in 10 career starts at Angel Stadium, he hardly deserves much credit for that lofty record, as his ERA in those 10 starts is 6.07! LA will start Jered Weaver and as I pointed out last Friday night in going against him (won with Seattle, 8-5), Weaver fell off more than most people realize last year. As a rookie in 2006, Weaver had a 2.56 ERA, while allowing just 94 hits in 123 innings. Last season, his ERA was almost a 1 1/2-runs higher (3.91) and he allowed 178 hits in his 161 innings. Against the Mariners last Friday, Weaver allowed four hits (two HRs), four walks and five ERs in just 5.2 innings. I realize that start was on the road but this total is too tempting to pass on. Go over with KC/LAA.
Erin Rynning
MLB
Playmaker: NY Mets under 8.5
Oakland under 8
NBA
Playmaker: Charlotte
Miami
EZWINNERS.
MLB
2 STAR: (925) TAMPA BAY (-$113) over Minnesota
(Listing Shields only)
(Risking $226 to win $200)
2 STAR PARLAY: (910) CHICAGO (-$180) and (916) LA DODGERS (-$195)
(Listing Zambrano and Penny only)
(Risking $200 to win $270)
BIO-RHYTHM PLAY
1 STAR: (902) SAN FRANCISCO (+$158) over Arizona
(Listing Zito and Webb)
(Risking $100 to win $158)
1 STAR: (911) MILWAUKEE (+$117) over St. Louis
(Listing Villanueva only)
(Risking $100 to win $117)
1 STAR: (930) KANSAS CITY (+$138) over LA Angels
(Listing Meche only)
(Risking $112 to win $100)
ATS Basketball Lock Club
4 units Orlando
3 units Suns
ATS Hockey Lock Club
4 units Det
3 units Over Pitt-Ott
Keith Martin Sports
Atlanta Braves
LA Angels
Bob Balfe
Houston Astros -110
GINA
Utah Jazz (54-27) at San Antonio Spurs (55-26)
The Spurs and Jazz would like to grab a win tonight, home-court advantage in round one is at stake for both squads. The Jazz will have a big assignment tonight. They haven't won in San Antonio since 1998 season, dropping 17 straight. Go with the home team. The home team in this series has won eight straight and the Spurs have covered the spread in their last 5 games against the Jazz at the AT&T Center.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs - 4
Phoenix Suns -11½
MLB
Tampa Bay Rays (6-8) at Minnesota Twins (6-8)
Minnesota has taken nine of the last 11 versus the Rays at home, 6-20 in the last 26 and will send right-hander Livan Hernandez to the hill. Hernandez held the Royals to seven hits over seven scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and just one walk in his last start for his third win in his three starts this season. He is 2-2 with a 5.77 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay. The Rays counter with their ace James Shields. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two career starts against the Twins. Go with the Twins with Livan Hernandez at the helm to stiffen the Rays.
Minnesota Twins + 110
L Ness
Cardinals
Toronto Blue Jays
Over Baltimore
Will Sykes
3* Seattle/Golden State Under 232
Jeff Money
CARDS -125 (POD)
BRAVES -135
YANKS UN 9 -130
John Ryan
3* Miami Heat
LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT
Play: LVTR POWER PLAY: PITTSBURGH vs LA DODGERS OVER 8
Penny is 0-2 with a 6.00 era in his last two starts and Maholm is 0-1 with a 4.36 in his two starts this season. If we dig deeper, Malholm is 0-2 when starting against LA with an era of 6.50 and a WHIP of 1.721. The Over is 6-1-1 in Pittsburgh road games. Take this Over as today's Power Play.
LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR): WASHINGTON vs NY METS
Play: NATIONALS / METS OVER 9
Maine is 0-1, 4.50 in two starts this season. Chico is 0-1, 5.56 in two road starts this season. When each pitcher faces each others team, the era's rise up further as Chico is 2-2 when starting against NY with an era of 6.20 and a WHIP of 1.919 while Maine is 3-2 when starting against Washington with an era of 5.21 and a WHIP of 1.237.
LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR):COLORADO vs SAN DIEGO
Play: SAN DIEGO PADRES (LIST GERMANO)
Germano has a 0.69 era in two starts. Redman is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts this season. Redman has failed to pitch a full 6 innings giving up 8 runs and 16 hits in less than 11 total innings. He is only filling in for the 5th pitching position for the Rockies. Take the Padres with confidence tonight.
ATS Lock Club - Baseball
4 Units - Tampa Bay
4 Units - Seattle
Doc NHL
3* NY Rangers -150