BIG AL
Los Angeles Lakers
JB SPORTS
3* Los Angeles Lakers
Dave Cokin's
MLB Daily Picks
Premium Plays
Matchup: Atlanta at Florida
Time: 7:10 PM EDT (Thu)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) HUDSON, T vs. (R) NOLASCO, R
Play: Atlanta (ML +100)
No worries about backing Tim Hudson right now. The veteran righty has been razor sharp all season and he's always put up excellent numbers against the Marlins. Ricky Nolasco goes for Florida, and while he is entirely capable of being spectacular, he'll also have games where he's flat out terrible. Nolasco can also be very streaky and he's not shown well of late. I also like the fact that Yunel Escobar finally snapped out his funk on Wednesday night with a pair of hits, as he can add a valuable component to the Braves offense. I had this matchup circled as a potential big play, and with the Braves off a win and playing decent ball as a team right now, I'll step out and back Atlanta today.
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Matchup: Houston at Milwaukee
Time: 1:10 PM EDT (Thu)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) MYERS, B vs. (R) BUSH, D
Play: Houston (ML +130)
The Astros are a bad baseball team, but are the Brewers any better right now? I'm really a little baffled as to why Ken Macha is still running the team. Macha can't control the performances of the pitchers to much extent, but let's face it, he gave a struggling Trevor Hoffman too much leash and it likely cost the Brewers at least a few wins. But beyond that, I'm seeing a team that's just playing flat baseball, and their results over the past couple of weeks have been horrendous. Brett Myers is vulnerable to the long ball, so that'll be a concern today. But he's had that nasty hook working well lately and Myers also owns outstanding numbers against this opponent. Likewise, Dave Bush has glittered against Houston with a 6-1 career mark. But Bush is off a career-worst start, whereas Myers is throwing it very well right now. I can't see Milwaukee laying a price against virtually anyone right now, and I have to think the Astros own the edge on the mound going in. Put me down for a play on the Astros in this series windup.
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THIS IS NOT LISTED AS HIS NL GOM BUT I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS.
Guaranteed Plays
Matchup: St Louis at San Diego
Time: 6:35 PM EDT (Thu)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) WALTERS, P.J. vs. (L) LeBLANC, W
Play: St Louis (ML +125)
The Cardinals have recalled PJ Walters from AAA for the finale of their series with the Padres. Walters was battered in a 2009 trial for the Redbirds, but he's arriving this time off a trio of electrifying efforts down on the farm. I like the idea that he gets to make his 2010 debut in spacious Petco Park against a soft San Diego lineup. Wade LeBlanc has been a big plus for the Padres, but he's off what was by far the worst showing he's had this season, so there's a chance of some carryover here. As amazing as San Diego has been, especially at home, I believe they're getting overpriced here and I'm looking for a strong showing by Walters. Solid call on the Cardinals to produce profits as a decently priced underdog today.
Super Situations
LAD at CUBS
Play Against - All teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (CHICAGO CUBS) with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better on the season-NL, poor base running team - averaging 0.5 or less SB's/game on the season
273-181 over the last 5 seasons. ( 60.1% | 84.3 units )
21-19 this year. ( 52.5% | 1.1 units )
Situational Power Trends
LAD at CUBS
LA DODGERS are 16-5 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in Road games in May games over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: LA DODGERS (5.9) , OPPONENT (3.4)
Super Situations
SUNS at LAA
Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (LA LAKERS) double revenge - 2 straight losses vs. opponent against opponent off an upset win over a division rival as an underdog
49-20 since 1997. ( 71.0% | 27.0 units )
Play On - Home teams vs. the money line (LA LAKERS) after failing to cover the spread in 2 or more consecutive games, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%)
88-33 over the last 5 seasons. ( 72.7% | 39.3 units )
18-9 this year. ( 66.7% | 3.0 units )
SUNS at LAL
Play Under - Any team vs. the 1rst half line after going over the total by 24 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going over the total by 48 or more points total in their last ten games
398-257 over the last 5 seasons. ( 60.8% | 115.3 units )
43-40 this year. ( 51.8% | -1.0 units )
igz1 sports
3* Houston +115
Bobby Maxwell
300 Unit - LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Karl Garrett
20 Dime LA Lakers
10 Dime Atlanta
Stephen Nover
15-Dime Philadelphia Phillies
10-Dime Suns-Lakers Under
Chris Jordan
100♦ COLORADO ROCKIES
100♦ ATLANTA BRAVES
100♦ L.A. LAKERS - FIRST HALF
Premium picks from Jimmy Boyd
4* Major Game 5 *BEST BET* (TNT) on Lakers -7
After the Lakers lost both Games 3 and 4 in Oklahoma City in round one, they responded with a 111-87 win in Game 5. I expect a similar response tonight. Right away I love the fact that home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points off 2 straight losses to an opponent, if that opponent is off an upset win over a division rival, are 39-13 (75%) ATS since 1996, winning by an average of 11.9 points in these games. The Lakers have proven to be a team of response as they are 18-5 ATS in their last 23 games when tied in a playoff series. The Lakers are 41-7 at home this season, winning those games by an average of 9 points. They are also 7-1 at home against Phoenix over the last 3 seasons, winning those games by an average of 12 points. All signs point to the Lakers bouncing back strong tonight. Lay the points.
Big Al McMordie
Our 3 selections include the
Padres
White Sox/Rays 'under'
Rockies/Diamondbacks 'over.'
Super Sports Group
8* Houston/Milwaukee Over 9
9* Colorado +107
7* Arizona/Colorado Over 9.5
8* Cards +115
9* Twins +105
TIM TRUSHEL
LA Lakers Under
Minnesota Twins
ATS Lock Club
4 Units Phoenix Suns +7.5
4 Units Oakland -125
3 Units Braves EV
Billy Coleman
4* Lakers
3* Lakers Over
4* Cinn -1.5
3* Boston-1.5
3* Oak Under