Street Rosenthal
200* St Louis
200* Minnesota
200* Detroit
200* Florida
Steve Budin
25 Dime Lakers
25 Dime Boston Red Sox -1.5
NSA
20* Twins -150
20* Philly Under 7.5
20* Celtics +6.5
Seabass
100* Celtics
100* Phillies
50* Cards Ov 9 1/2
50* Marlins
50* Astros
50* Dodgers
200* Steam Mets Under 8
Matt Fargo
10* Celtics
Executive
400% Cubs
250% Celtics
Dwayne Bryant
Twins -150
MIKE LINEBACK
Celtics +6.5
Dodger/Reds Over 9
O.C. Dooley
2 Units Orioles +140
The first “intangible” surrounds the fact that San Francisco’s last 6-0 streak of prosperity in front of their own home fans has not come since way back in the 2007 campaign which means the “law of averages” are against them late this evening. Of course Baltimore is one of baseball’s biggest disappointments this season even though their lineup is littered with high-rated prospects. This pick falls under the “intangibles” category because the Orioles are now flirting with recent baseball history. Dating all the way back to realignment in 1969, there have been only THREE teams through 64 games played that have had a worse record than the one that Baltimore (17-47) currently has. To make a long story short the Orioles with any offensive support at all would have a much better record considering that the pitching staff has rattled off 29 different QUALITY starts already. Last week Jake Arietta made his major league debut and racked up 6 different STRIKEOUT victims against a star-studded Yankees lineup. Even though they have hit the baseball much better in the past week, San Francisco has a relatively weak offense and like most teams in the National League West leans heavily on an excellent pitching staff. There is a “chink in the armour” this evening as the Giants have just tapped Joe Martinez from the minor leagues. Martinez did pitch at the major league level a year ago and posted a high ERA (7.61) with the Giants. Most of you should remember Joe Martinez from last April when he took a line drive off his head an spent a substantial amount of time on the disabled list. The bottom line is that Baltimore has the better pitching prospect on the mound tonight and the Orioles bullpen just got a positive jolt with closer Alfredo Simon (hamstring) just coming off the disabled list. Even though they lost last night one of the American League’s best homerun hitters Ty Wigginton actually got robbed of a round-tripper and is on the verge of busting loose again. Baltimore’s highly touted catcher Matt Wieters finally ended a 102 at-bat drought last night by hitting a homerun in what is essentially a ballpark built for pitchers.
The Hoops Guru Guaranteed Selections
NBA QUADRUPLE PLAY PLAYOFF WINNER
LA LAKERS -6.5
NBA TRIPLE PLAY PLAYOFF TOTALS WINNER
BOSTON and LA LAKERS UNDER 189
CRAIG DAVIS
40 DIME Florida Marlins
20 DIME Boston Celtics/LA Lakers Over
Evan Altemus
3 Units LA Lakers -6.5
The Celtics accomplished their goal of heading to Los Angeles with a 3-2 series lead after winning Game 5. They played well in that game, but the outcome was more because of the Lakers horrible play. Despite Los Angeles playing horribly, they still kept the game relatively close. Regardless, the Lakers role players have played great at home and poor on the road in these playoffs for the most part, especially earlier in each series. The Lakers are in an absolute must win situation, and I expect them to respond because of coming home. Boston doesn’t really have that same feeling heading into this game after a big home win because they know they have Game 7 to win the series. Look for the Lakers to win this game and force a Game 7.
Billy Coleman
4* Hous
3* LAD
3* DET
3* Tor
3* Az under